This document discusses how a media product represents particular social groups. It analyzes a magazine created by the author to primarily attract older teens and young adults. Several design elements are discussed, including using a teenage model on the cover and in photos to attract a younger audience, including some photos of young women to attract both male and female readers, and using predominantly male perspectives and photos to appeal more to men. The layout and design aims to appeal to older audiences through a minimal color scheme and straight lines rather than bright colors and curved lines that may attract younger teens. The goal is to represent and engage the intended late teen/early adult audience through relatable content and a down-to-earth style.

1. HOW DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCT REPRESENT
PARTICULAR SOCIAL
GROUPS?
Evaluation - Question 2

2. In my magazine, I have tried to represent older
teens and young adults with the very minimal,
simple design. The model is also a teenager
which would attract a younger audience. Although
the photographs are predominantly of males, I
have also used some photos of young women in
the ‘articles of interest’ section to attract both
genders. Many magazine, however is trying to
attract a predominantly male audience so I have
done this through the main photographs used and
the male perspective given by the editor.

3. The image on the front cover is an eyeliner shot
with the model looking straight into the camera.
This creates a more personal relationship
between the consumer and the product. As the
model is male, this is more likely to attract a male
audience, however stereotypically this would
attract a young teen audience of females.
All of the shots are mid-shots where his lower
body are not visible which puts focus on his face
which again is another mode of direct address.
The shots of the females show more of their
bodies which could attract a more masculine
audience, but not necessarily.
SHOT TYPES

4. The clothes that the main model is wearing is not
strictly typical of males or females, which is why it
appeals to both genders. The plain t-shirt is
gender neutral and along with the background,
this creates a mutual sense of ambiguity about
the target audience. Therefore, the only
noticeable sign of it being directed at men is the
use of a male on the cover, but this is a tenuous
connection to make.
In the photograph of the females on the contents
page, they are dressed in bright colours which
might attract the attention and then readership of
women.
MISE-EN-SCENE

5. The layout reflects an older teen or young adult as
it is very minimal in colour but with quite a few
photographs. Keeping the colours minimal means
that it is not necessarily as eye catching but it
makes the overall feel more sophisticated which
was the audience I intended to target. The use of
straight lines and dull colours appeals more to
older audiences, whereas curved lines and bright
bold colours would target a younger teen
audience who may not wish to read the type of
content my magazine would be producing.
LAYOUT

6. I have primarily made use of Hans-Robert Jauss’
reception theory which states that audiences are
more engaged and perceive things in a better
light if the writer or model is of a similar
background and state-of-mind. Therefore by
having a young model and creating a personal
feel through the use of eye-contact, I have tried to
make the model look as if he could be of the
same calibre of some late teen/early twenties
readers so that they could relate on a personal
level. This is reflected in the down-to-Earth and
conversational tone of the interview on the double
page spread.
THEORIES AND
IDEOLOGIES