A2 media studies coursework

1. Analysis of Billboards
Codes and conventions of regional magazine
billboards

2. Research Problems
• I had trouble finding billboards which advertised magazines. Therefore, I
researched some general product billboards as I assumed he codes and
conventions would not be drastically different. Using my initiative, I will try to
adhere to these codes and conventions with a magazine in mind rather than
another product.

3. McDonalds Billboard
The image takes up most
of the left side of the
billboard, and is a closeup
of the product. This is so it
is immediately clear and is
a visual representation of
the purpose of the
billboard itself.
Social media is printed in very
small text in the bottom corner.
This would likely only be
readable by pedestrians who
have more time to look closely
and the study the billboard.
The background is red with a gradient and slight
pattern but it is largely unnoticeable compared to
the text and the image. The darkness of the red
makes the other features stand out and
compliments the other colours used.
The logo and slogan
of the company is
used placed mid-size
in the corner. As
McDonald’s is a very
well known logo,
placing it on the
billboard may make
people more likely to
read it as it is a
recognisable and
familiar feature.
The name of the product is in white
capital sans serif text and is set in the
centre at the bottom of the billboard.
This makes it important and gives the
viewers and immediate idea as to what
the billboard is advertising.
The main tagline is fairly central
(slightly right) on the billboard
and in white sans serif font. It
also contains a pun which is a
device that can be used to
interest an audience as it can be
used for humour.

4. Apple Billboard
The product name is printed in the two halfs,
both in the same sans serif font but the first
half in bold and the second half not. This is
just to add variation and contrast and makes
it easier to read rather than it all being in bold
text
The majority of the sign is blank white which gives a very minimal
feel to the advert. As apple is a huge corporate brand and the
iPad itself is known by a majority of the world’s population, no
tagline or special effects are needed on the advert. Also, the
features that are on the billboard stand out more as there is
nothing else to look at other than blank space.
An image of the product in
someone’s hands is placed
at the far right giving a
representation of the
advertised product and the
scale of it.
The apple logo is in the
corner with the product
name. As it is a
recognisable logo, the
actual name ‘Apple’ is
not needed on the
billboard as most people
would already know from
the logo what the product
is.

5. Love Food in Cornwall
Contents
Background is a dark blue
which provides contrast to
the white text.
The product name is printed centrally
and to the left. It is only one of the
two features on the billboard. It is a
sans serif text and in a bold font.
The background gradients to a lighter
blue here at the image to act as an orb
of light to draw the attention of the
audience over here. It also highlights
the image as being risqué and different
from a usual billboard.
The image is erotic and although
not necessarily appropriate to a
magazine billboard, shows how
making the image more interesting
snd shocking can make it more
appealing to an audience.

6. General Codes and
Conventions
• The background is always plain or just a one colour gradient.
• There is always a short slogan or simply just the product name in a large contrasting font in
the centre and slightly to one side of the billboard.
• The product itself is set at one side of the billboard. It can be different and interesting as it
might be more likely to appeal to the audience, but usually is is a simple photo of the product.
• The company logo is normally in a corner of the billboard, not necessarily along with the name
of the company.