How does your media product represent particular
social groups?
• My magazine represents different groups of people regarding their class, age, race, gender
and sexuality.
• Regarding class my media product is targeted towards a middle class audience. As the
magazine is published weekly the audience must have a disposable in order to be able to
purchase the magazine each week. As my audience is young girls they would most likely be
using their parents disposable income. On the front page I was able to represent a middle
class audience by using middle class looking models dressed in fashionable clothing and
wearing bright colours (purple jumper). They both look smart and presentable which is the
stereotype for middle class people this means that my target audience would be able to
relate to their image.
Race.
• The race that I am representing is White British, as after carrying out my
research I realised was the race which was most interested in pop music
which is my magazine genre. An obvious way I represented this was by
using only white models, this means that white British people will be
drawn to the magazine as they will be able to relate to the models more
than if I’d used a black or Asian model for example. As well as this I focus
on the fact my magazine is British by using a relaxed tone and asking
questions about Britain on the double page spread.
Age
• The age group my magazine represents is young girls between the ages of 12-16.
One way I was able to do this is using models a similar age. Models on my front
cover and contents page are 16 which fits in my age group and gives a clear
indication that they are the sort of age range my magazine is representing. I also
mention the fact that my feature artist Ellie Daniels who appears on my front page
is a teenager. I decided to use a model who fits in my age group so my audience
can relate and will want to find out about a girl who is a similar age rather than
using a much older girl as they would not be as interested.
• As well I was able to represent this age group by using bright colours such as pink
and yellow. Stereotypically these colours are childish and would be attractive to a
younger audience rather than greens and blues which might attract a slightly older
audience.
• The font I used throughout my magazine is a big and squiggly font that is also
associated with younger girls and is another clear indication that my magazine is
representing the age group 12-16.
Gender
• The gender I am representing is female. This is made very obvious with my
colour scheme as I used the stereotypical ‘girly’ colours throughout my
magazine which are pink, yellow and purple. This makes it clear it is aimed
for girls and should be read by girls. As well as this I used only female
artists as I stuck to conventions and used a female artist for a magazine
aimed at females. After doing my research I realised that females would
rather see a female in my magazine as they would be able to relate better
so this is what I did. Stereotypically girls handwriting is meant to be neat
and ‘swirly’ or ‘squiggly’ this influenced my choice for the font which is
used throughout my magazine. The font is squiggly which will be seen as
very girly which helps represent my female target audience.
• As well as this I used a heart shape on my contents page which is
stereotypically associated with females, as it is seen as a girly shape
because it is connected to emotion which is often associated with females.
Sub group
• The particular social group that my magazine represents could be put into the
sub group ‘teenyboppers’. These are described as young girls (which fits in
with my age range) who follow music and fashion trends. They are the sort of
people who would buy my magazine as it shows generic pop music culture.
• As well as this the social group my magazine represents could be stereotyped
as a ‘suburban girl’ who have a stable family structure and live a happy and
easy life . This is the type of girl my magazine is aimed at as it is a ‘happy’
magazine. This is highlighted through use of bright colours and preppy looking
models. Some other examples in my magazine that convey happiness is the
quote from my contents page ‘funniest interview ever!’ another example of
happiness in my magazine is the fact the image on my double page spread
that shows my model mid-laugh which clearly conveys happiness as well as
this my models have direct address with the audience. Although to criticise
myself not all girls that fit into this social group do live happy and easy life and
can in fact be going through serious problems so this stereotype does not
apply to all.

Evaluation question 2

  • 1.
    How does yourmedia product represent particular social groups? • My magazine represents different groups of people regarding their class, age, race, gender and sexuality. • Regarding class my media product is targeted towards a middle class audience. As the magazine is published weekly the audience must have a disposable in order to be able to purchase the magazine each week. As my audience is young girls they would most likely be using their parents disposable income. On the front page I was able to represent a middle class audience by using middle class looking models dressed in fashionable clothing and wearing bright colours (purple jumper). They both look smart and presentable which is the stereotype for middle class people this means that my target audience would be able to relate to their image.
  • 2.
    Race. • The racethat I am representing is White British, as after carrying out my research I realised was the race which was most interested in pop music which is my magazine genre. An obvious way I represented this was by using only white models, this means that white British people will be drawn to the magazine as they will be able to relate to the models more than if I’d used a black or Asian model for example. As well as this I focus on the fact my magazine is British by using a relaxed tone and asking questions about Britain on the double page spread.
  • 3.
    Age • The agegroup my magazine represents is young girls between the ages of 12-16. One way I was able to do this is using models a similar age. Models on my front cover and contents page are 16 which fits in my age group and gives a clear indication that they are the sort of age range my magazine is representing. I also mention the fact that my feature artist Ellie Daniels who appears on my front page is a teenager. I decided to use a model who fits in my age group so my audience can relate and will want to find out about a girl who is a similar age rather than using a much older girl as they would not be as interested. • As well I was able to represent this age group by using bright colours such as pink and yellow. Stereotypically these colours are childish and would be attractive to a younger audience rather than greens and blues which might attract a slightly older audience. • The font I used throughout my magazine is a big and squiggly font that is also associated with younger girls and is another clear indication that my magazine is representing the age group 12-16.
  • 4.
    Gender • The genderI am representing is female. This is made very obvious with my colour scheme as I used the stereotypical ‘girly’ colours throughout my magazine which are pink, yellow and purple. This makes it clear it is aimed for girls and should be read by girls. As well as this I used only female artists as I stuck to conventions and used a female artist for a magazine aimed at females. After doing my research I realised that females would rather see a female in my magazine as they would be able to relate better so this is what I did. Stereotypically girls handwriting is meant to be neat and ‘swirly’ or ‘squiggly’ this influenced my choice for the font which is used throughout my magazine. The font is squiggly which will be seen as very girly which helps represent my female target audience. • As well as this I used a heart shape on my contents page which is stereotypically associated with females, as it is seen as a girly shape because it is connected to emotion which is often associated with females.
  • 5.
    Sub group • Theparticular social group that my magazine represents could be put into the sub group ‘teenyboppers’. These are described as young girls (which fits in with my age range) who follow music and fashion trends. They are the sort of people who would buy my magazine as it shows generic pop music culture. • As well as this the social group my magazine represents could be stereotyped as a ‘suburban girl’ who have a stable family structure and live a happy and easy life . This is the type of girl my magazine is aimed at as it is a ‘happy’ magazine. This is highlighted through use of bright colours and preppy looking models. Some other examples in my magazine that convey happiness is the quote from my contents page ‘funniest interview ever!’ another example of happiness in my magazine is the fact the image on my double page spread that shows my model mid-laugh which clearly conveys happiness as well as this my models have direct address with the audience. Although to criticise myself not all girls that fit into this social group do live happy and easy life and can in fact be going through serious problems so this stereotype does not apply to all.