2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
I studied many different varieties of magazines , ranging from genres such as fashion to
music. I tried to incorporate aspects from all types in my own magazine, I have also
attempted to develop my own ideas.
On most media products I have researched, such as the ‘Rolling Stones’
magazine. The majority of magazine front covers have an area called the
‘sweet spot’ which is the middle/top left had corner. This has been
scientifically proven that most readers eye is drawn to this corner when
picking up a magazine, therefore it is important to make write something
interesting, enticing and exciting.
Here I have designed a way of promoting what sort of artists are evolved
in my magazine by highlighting the names in black. This makes the
names more pronounced instead of looking dull and monotonous. This
draws the audiences eye in. I have chosen these specific artists to attract
the right audience type, such as interests, likes and dislikes. I have also
alternated the font colors from white to pink to create visual variation.
I have included a strap line to give extra information for the
reader without simply writing on the page. This makes the
front cover look more interesting.
3. Continuing…
Most magazines have a small area dedicated to the time in which is was
Produced. This is informative for the reader, particularly for those who
subscribe for purchases every month. This is similar to most magazines,
Some of which I have studied like Vogue…
This is a screen shot from my contents page showing how I have
arranged and categorized the rest if the magazine. I have chose
to use a different colour palette to vary my overall image.
Thorough the pale grey boxes I have (similar to the front page)
highlighted the key words, phrases or artists for each section of
the magazine. This attracts the reader to certain pages and
interests them further.
4. How does your media product represent particular social
groups?
The target demographic of my magazine ‘CM’ attempts to reach ages from roughly 17-25. The way
that you can tell I have targeted this particular age group is mainly through the model, who is aged 17
and has been dressed in clothes that attract this age group. Many magazines direct their age group
through the models clothing such as the ‘The rolling stones’ magazine.
Here is an example of the style of clothing
the model is wearing. These shoes are
glamorous, fun and young – ideally
reflecting the demographic.
The target psychographic however, can vary. I want my magazine to move away from the
‘mainstream’ audience which is constantly played on the radio, and seen in most magazines, but
instead, promote music with alternative genres. My magazine will therefore have a USP (unique
selling point) making it different from other magazines on sale. A niche audience but an audience
which is growing and therefore would be a very popular magazine.
5. Continuing…
The young readers that I have targeted will be in late education such as sixth from and university and
young adults starting up new jobs. Again the age of the model reflects this as well as the typography
that I have used and the style of language such as ‘taken the world by storm and ‘wild shoe collection.’
It is important to recognize that all representations are ‘mediated’ meaning they can be biased to a
certain group. During productions a media producer is inevitably going to have an opinion within the
text, whether it be the photographer, the journalist or the editor. Therefore I may have inadvertently
represented certain groups due to my upbringing in a middle class family, in a well to do area of
London.
6. Media texts are mediated, and without intending to I have done
this to my magazine. I wanted my magazine to reach out to all
classes, genders and ethnicities, however, without meaning to I
have aimed my magazine towards the middle class through the
choice of font and language used.
My image of Chaia ( the model who is in my class) is a
stereotypically white, affluent middle class girl and therefore
the demographic is directed towards white middle class
females. For the purpose of the magazine style, I dressed the
model in tight trousers and a top which could be interpreted as
provocative and suggestive, this ultimately restricts some
religious groups.
7. What kind of media institution might distribute your media
product and why?
I researched media institutions such as:
IPC Media – UK’s leading consumer magazine publishers with a large portfolio. They produce
and distribute magazine such as ‘Look’ and ’Now’ magazines, mostly fashion and leisure. They
also own magazines such as NME and Guitar and Bass.
Bauer Media Group – This is a large publishing company in Hamburg which operates 15
countries worldwide. Magazines such as Q, MOJO and KERRANG.
Emap – second largest magazine publisher in UK – however was sold off in 2007. Before
published magazines such as ‘Word’ and a clubbing magazine called ‘Mixmag’
8. If I were to chose a media institute to distribute my magazine, I would chose
Bauer Media Group. This is due to the fact that it publishes magazines such
as MOJO which I have researched before and was one of my main
inspirations which lead to influence my magazine in many ways. Influences
such as the genre of music I chose, and the atmosphere created by the
images. Although the institution is a multimillion pound distribution
company, it still produces alternative magazines, unlike popular titles such as
Vogue. However, although my magazine is individual, I will charge a large
amount of money for it, as it has a niche market so it needs to recoup more
of the profit and expenditure of the magazine.
9. Where ‘CM’ would be sold
‘CM’ magazine would be sold in in most supermarket chains such as
Sainsbury’s, Waitrose or M&S. This would make the magazine
available to older audiences as it is a common place for the older
generation to shop. It would also be sold in the local corner shops
which are situated near homes, train stations, bus stops and high
streets. This, therefore, means the magazine will be available for a
range of ages. This is because all convenience stores are known for
selling ‘essentials’ such as food, drinks and magazines.
10. Who would be the audience for your media product?
Here I have selected six images of young people to provide a visual awareness of my
target audience which is from 17-25. In recent years, independent music has become
increasingly popular amongst teenagers and young adults due to the surge of
popularity of the internet with websites such as YouTube, MySpace and Facebook
which allows people to find their own genre of music rather than relying on the
mainstream music on radios and television.
11. How did you attract/address your audience?
I attract and address my audience through the type of language, colour, image and
format of my magazine.
My magazine avoids the use of text or slang
language because this can associated with
Language genres like ‘drum and bass’ which are
ultimately aimed towards a different
audience. But instead, ‘CM’ uses formal and
sophisticated language to target the
older, more educated readers. This can be
exemplified through words such
as, ‘Enticing’, ‘delve’ and ‘exclusive’.
However, the magazine does include a variety
of colloquial words and phrases such as
‘hectic’ and ‘taken the world by storm.’ The
use of colloquial language addresses younger
audiences around 17-18, they can relate easier
to the text as they are use to medias such as
Facebook, You-tube and Twitter which
manage audiences in this age group and
therefore use younger language.
12. Other magazines I have studied have also
Colour
created a colour coordination, such as Vogue…
On the font cover used a fun and exciting palette entice those who see the
magazine for the fist time, the aim was to attract the eye through vivid and bright
colour. I chose a vibrant/shocking pink as the title and it therefore runs throughout
my magazine, constantly reminding the reader of the name as well as the vibrancy
. I dressed my model in glittery silver clothes – her shoes and top. This addresses a
younger fan base as is it not colours or clothes an older reader would enjoy. I also
took the blue from the models glasses and used that same colour in the font to
create a familiarity and somewhat um-chaotic atmosphere.
On the second page I intentionally used calmer colours to create
more of a relaxed, sophisticated tone. This relates both to the
younger and older readers as it still carries the pink ‘CM’ title, yet
now holds a level of maturity.
On the double spread contents page I brought along the
aspect of maturity and developed it even further by using a
neon purple line to split the two pages, this adds excitement
and liveliness to my over all magazine and relates to the readers.
13. Image
The front cover provides and image of a female model lying down in a small
sequin top and patterned leggings with high heels. The position purposefully
shows of her feminine physique, with her midriff and chest showing. Without
being too assertive, the image shows confidence and attracts my specific
demographic. She also gives a perfect example of what the audience may
wear.
On the second page, similar to the colour format, I have
purposefully created a calmer mood through the image.
The model emits a tranquil, peaceful athmosphere
through her expression and hand movement. This,
again, addresses all ages in which will be interested in
reading my magazine.
14. Format
I have created an easily read format, with small amounts
of writing so as not to bore or overwhelm the reader. My
magazine intends to be interesting yet laid-back. Therfore
the format mirrors this by being simplistic and controlled.
This also allows space for the image, which bodes
important for my magazine as the image is a visual
representation of the genre and and demographic.
15. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
Software
Photoshop - In order to create a professional looking magazine I realized earlier on that I would need to have a firm grasp of a DTP
(desktop publishing program.) I have had experience with Photoshop before and therefore understand the basic rules and can
navigate myself around the tools, however I am still challenged by some aspects such as carefully cutting around the image of my
model, or overlapping the letters with other images. I was confident in changing the contrast of the images, the colour and font. I also
excelled in cutting and cropping other images such as the polaroid frames and then adding in my own photos. At the beginning of my
magazine I struggled more than when I finished and I think that is subtly noticeable when looking at the front cover the last double
spread. It was important for me to understand using Photoshop in order to achieve a professional design that looks and imitates a real
media text.
Tumblr – This computer tool has helped me to track the progress of my project. It allows images and text, which is perfect for all the
analysis of magazine research and the visual steps towards my final production. I had never used Tumblr before and because of this I
struggled at the beginning to handle the way it worked, however, it became easier once I had become familiar with the layout and
setting.
IPhoto – IPhoto is a simple tool used to edit images, I relied on this throughout my production to either crop, change
saturation, contrast or colour my original images.
Flickr -
Facebook – promoting my magazine on Facebook. It is the most popular social working site in our class and therefore is the best way
of collecting feedback.
16. Hardware
Camera – I had to get to know the camera, i.e. the focus, setting and
adjustments.
Tripod – The tripod was useful as it kept the camera steady while I took the
pictures, it also allowed me to keep the same position while I moved and
positioned the model.
Lighting – I had to experiment with different lighting in order to get the right
exposure.
Camera lenses – I experimented with a variety of different camera lenses to get
the optimum shot.
17. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
From looking back at my preliminary school magazine task I had noted evident progression, I
have made a significant transfer from my preliminary task to my main task. At the beginning
Photoshop proved a difficulty to me as I found it hard to navigate around the tools, however as I
progressed it became easier and more fluent as I became more familiar with the site. My skills
have enabled me to be more creative with Photoshop.
I was unprepared for taking the source photos in the first task as I didn’t use a tri-pod, I also took
little variation of images which therefore, limited my final magazine product. However I learnt to
be more prepared on my final task which meant I used a tri-pod and new what different angles I
would take.
18. I have learnt to plan my progress thoroughly in order to make my final product structured
and organized. In my preliminary I planned well yet not enough as half way through the task
I found my self having to come up with new ideas. However for the final task I new what I
was doing and how I was going to achieve the success I wanted through my detailed
planning.
I struggled with what to write and how to arrange the writing on the page to attract the
readers. After studying many other magazines with a similar genre to mine I eventually
became aware of how to order and place my wording, making them short and concise on
the front cover and more detailed as you go through to the contents and double spread.
These skills I carried with me through to my final task, helping me further to come to terms
with the structure of magazines.
