2. There are a variety of ways in which my magazine challenges the codes and conventions of established
magazine corperations such as "Q" and "Kerrang". Though based on the exploits of "Q" my magazine still
differentiates in an array of ways.
In terms of the front cover I have adopted a similar approach to that of established magazines, however there
are some features of my front cover that are different. For example my barcode does not use the standard
numerals, instead it reads, "Pulse" a feature that further emphasises the name to make it more remember able
for my target audience. In addition to this the price of my magazine is £1.99 around the same price of a
chocolate bar, this is because lower prices means that more people are going to be willing to pay for it rather
than a magazine with similar features that costs £4.99, especially in the current economic climate. The rest of
the front cover does not particularly challenge the conventions of established magazines apart from maybe the
amount of tag lines.
In terms of the contents page, again there is little that "challenges" the conventions of established magazines.
The discourse structure is largely standard, text on the left imagery on the right. Perhaps the title
"Contents" challenges these conventions in the way of size and boldness.
As for my double page spread, it indeed challenges the conventions of established magazines. For example
the double page spread itself is based upon quite a controversial and tragic idea of death something that is
usually avoided in most magazines as magazines should be seen as a time of leisure. However it is this idea
that makes my magazine that much more appealing, it brings to light various concepts that affect us on a
regular basis such as Islamic Extremism, murder, politics and music itself. My double page definitely challenges
the codes and conventions of established magazines.
3. My magazine is based upon the rock n roll culture of the 70s and 80s with the likes of Ac/Dc, Guns
N Roses and Led Zeppelin. By basing my magazine on these ideals I hope that the genre will
stand out clearly. Furthermore through the integration of various aspects of Rock N Roll culture I
believe that my urban style will be emphasised to a larger degree. Evidently my magazine
represents the social group of rock n rollers or people interested in urban music. It brings to light
and challenges audience interpretation of specific ideals of my genre specifically through my
double page spread that brings an insight to the social group I hope that my magazine represents
in a more positive manner than normal stereotypes dictate.
4. I attracted my target audience through a variety of methods which includes colour, style,
genre and the presentation of my media product as a whole. Through the use of
contrasting colours specifically red with black a variety of conventions of my magazine
such as the cover lines and taglines enticed and attracted my target audience.
Through the choice of style and genre, I have challenged the codes and conventions of
established magazines, giving my magazine a unique selling point, (USP). This is
because in modern day music culture urban music has declined with the
advancement and evolution of new genres such as RnB. Through this individuality,
which any magazine needs to stand out from the crowd, my magazine hence attracts
my target audience.
In terms of the presentation of my media product as a whole, I have adopted a clear
colour scheme that I hope has shown through out, through synergy. In addition to this
my central image and sense of controversy in terms of my double page spread has
again addressed my target audience in an unexpected but unique manner.
5. I believe that a media institution like “The Sun” newspaper franchise or established
magazine institutions such as “Q” or “Kerrang” might distribute my product. This is
because many modern day companies are always looking to expand and appeal to
wider audiences. Therefore I believe that if my magazine was integrated into an
established newspaper or magazine institution my magazine would maximise and
expand the proportion of net profit due to the fact that a wider audience would
successfully be targeted. Furthermore through this integration I personally would be
able to call upon the experience of the best in the magazine trade therefore the
company and myself would benefit in more ways than one.
6. The audience of my media product would be teenagers interested in urban or indie styled
music. Nowadays the more popular theme of music is that of “Dubstep” and RnB so
by challenging this new culture of music I believe that my urbanistic styled magazine
will re-establish a forgotten genre.
Genre: Rock n Roll
Instruments: Electric Guitar, Drums, piano/keyboard
Age: 16 -
Stereotype: drugs, smoking, alcohol
Bands: Black Sabbath, Acdc, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Queen
7. I have learnt a great deal about technologies from the process of constructing my media
product. I have learnt about the time and planning needed to use technologies to the
best of their and your ability. I have learnt that there are an array of ways to complete
a simple task through the use of a range of technologies such as through taking
images with camera or making videos or rather more simply just using a power point
presentation. I have also learnt that through the use of technologies more than one
objective can be achieved like creating your own media magazine. But most
importantly I have learnt that in modern day society the use of technologies is indeed
integral to everything we do and want to do in the future.
8. When looking back at the preliminary task I feel I have learnt a lot in the progression from
it to the full product. For example I have learnt that making a magazine is indeed a lot
harder than I thought it was due to the range of skills I have learnt through the
process of making my magazine. In addition to this I have learnt that to make a good
magazine, which I feel I have not achieved, lots and lots of prior preparation must go
into it. I feel that there are indeed gaps which have caused my magazine to be not as
good as it could have been. In terms of the blog posts, I have learnt that you can not
rely on only one piece of media technology.
