2. In what waysdoesyourmediaproduct use,developor challengeformsand conventionsof real mediaproducts?
Front cover
The front cover of my magazine includes many conventional aspects of any
professional music magazine. Firstly I have created a colour scheme which is the same
throughout the magazine, this is because in my research I found that all music
magazines have a colour scheme as it shows consistency which is described as a
desirable characteristic by the readers. Furthermore, The layout of my magazine is
reflective of a typical music magazine with the title right at the top, the featured
artist just below, in
larger font than the rest of the text on the page (excluding the title), the barcode and web address located at the bottom.
The image I have chosen is also alike to the ones used in
real media products with the main image at the centre of the page with the text positioned on top of it.
As well as conforming to the typical conventions I have also challenged them in some ways. The first thing that makes my
magazine an outlier is my choice of colours, my target audience doesn’t focus on a single gender however the colours I have
used may suggest otherwise. Purples and yellows are seen as more feminine colours, although this shows that the colour
does not determine the demographic as the magazine still looks adequate for its genre due to the font and images.
Additionally, the font I have used is also a contrast to the expected font of a Hip-Hop style, I have chosen to use a more
digital and bold font in order to make the magazine stand out and perhaps attract a secondary target audience.
3. Contents page
The contents page that I have created also has an aspect of continuity through the
use of same font and colour scheme as the front cover, alongside the reappearance of
the magazine title (bottom right) for brand recognition. My contents page reflects a
professional one through the use of conventions such as using images for big featured
stories and having an orderly structure.
On the other hand, not all of my contents page follows the requirements of a realistic contents page. The first convention
that I have altered is the way the stories are presented; instead of listing the pages in order I have chosen to list them
under sub-headings (such as: music, style) this structure allows the reader to find the area that they are interested in
reading rapidly.
Another aspect that is used in real media products id advertisements, however most of this aren’t located on the
contents page which is what I’ve chosen to take a risk on.
I have challenged such conventions as not demonstrating the main featured article within it and merely having each
article of the same size, font and style. I have highlighted some features by inserting photos to support. This provides a
visual stimulus for the reader.
4. Double page spread
My double page spread shares many characteristics with a professional version in an existing media product. Firstly the use
of a pull quote is definitely recognised as any magazine article convention. Additionally, the actual content of the page (the
interview) is ordered very sufficiently and is structured in the typical Question/Answer format. Also, Minor aspects such as
page numbers and the website do contribute to making the double page spread appear like a real media product.
The fact that the interview begins with a short paragraph to create the setting gives the DPS a real feel as this is also and
important convention when including interviews in a magazine. Another convention I have used is the advertisement of the
artist for example stating the album release date and their twitter account, all current magazines do this. Furthermore, the
images I have chosen are predictable for a double page spread, they are of the artist in an action shot which is the cliché
shot to use in a DPS however, one aspect about the picture does set it apart from the rest is the actual composition behind
it. The image is of a selective focus and in a close-up going to a mid-shot positioning, this is to allow all the focus to be on
the female, showing her lead role.
Apposing all of the conventions I have used there are some I challenged. For example, I have chosen to have different
coloured text allocated to each band member whereas text in magazines usually tends to black consistently. One side of the
argument may say that my technique makes the page look tacky and unorganised whereas I believe it gives the interview
flow as the reader learns to associate the colour of the response to the respondent.
5. Howdoesyourmediaproductrepresent particular social groups?
To begin with, the language used in ‘Double-
H’ is colloquial as the Hip-Hop genre often
includes slang and swearing apposed to
other genres, this can show that the groups
that are linked with this genre (youths) are
vulgar however it can also show that they
have a relaxed, chilled personality.
‘Started from
the bottom now
we're here
Started from the
bottom now my
whole team
fucking here
bitch’
‘I got 99
problems but a
bitch ain’t one’
Two of the biggest names in Hip-Hop: Drake
And Jay-Z are a prime example of the language
used as you can see there are multiple swear
words and words that aren’t considered as Queens
English such as ‘aint’. Young people are associated
with slang speak and are often downgraded for this
however it shows that they want to be different.
Secondly, the idea that Hip-Hop is dominated by males is
still true today however ‘Double-H’ isn’t trying to promote
this patriarchal image, this is shown through the images as
the female is centre of them all and is not presented in a
sexualised manner whereas this is the case in many Hip-
Hop videos.
These two screen shots (Justin Timberlake-
Carry out, Pitbull-Hotel room) show how
women are often exposed as sex objects
which can have a downside in the Hip-Hop
industry, on one side it will widen the male
audience as they will be attracted to these
videos in contrast to the women taking a
dislike to them meaning loosing viewers. In
my magazine on the other hand, females are
equals as the target audience doesn’t specify
a gender.
6. To continue, another social group
associated with Hip-Hop is people of
black ethnicity, this idea is hard to reject
as the majority of Hip-Hop artists are
black however this does not prove that
their fans are too. The black audiences
are often shown as rowdy and rude
whereas in my magazine they are shown
in a positive light through the captions
positioned next to their images, for
example ‘new artist’ shows that they
have done something successful with
their life's. My magazine withdraws the
idea that blacks are the thrones in Hip-
Hop as the main featured artist is white,
this however does not mean that my
target audience is of a white ethnicity as
other images within the contents page
include people of Asian and black
backgrounds.
Lastly, Hip-Hop has originated from an urban area, the artists
often speak about their own struggles and the lyrics used (as
previously mentioned) are offensive; this leads to the target
audience being of a middle class/working class background.
The way I make use of class in my magazine is through the font
and images for example an upper class music magazine is
exceedingly different to mine.
Notice the use of a more sophisticated font
whereas mine is graffiti style, the image is of
a man in a theatre, wearing a suit, on the
other hand my images are in an urban
environment in which the models are
wearing hood's, this gives out a
stereotypical ‘chavy’ persona to the
middle/working class audience however
this is not how I want my demographic to be recognised as,
this is why reading the text is so important as it demonstrates
how successful you can be as the featured artists started from
the bottom and earned their success through hard work.
Even though the Hip-Hop audience is of a lower class, the
music videos within the genre use very expensive objects, in
my magazine however, money and flashy things aren’t used
purely to show other audiences that Hip-Hop is not all about
the ‘bling’.
For example: these hip-hop videos include materialistic things
7. What kind of mediainstitutionmight distribute yourmedia productand why?
Bauer is a multinational media company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany which operates in 15 countries
worldwide, founded in 1875. As Bauer is one of the largest publishers in Europe it would be an ideal company to
distribute my media product, this is because it is well known and respected therefore any product that they bring
out will be considered and taken an interest in.
Here I have annotated the Bauer website to explain how
them buying ‘DoubleH’ would make it a success.
Here, we can see a
range of brands that are
owned by Bauer, it
leads me to think that
the company is
extremely successful
and highly sort after for
new media products.
With the backing of
such conglomerates as
these, my product will
be easily attainable for
the demographic as
there are multi –
platforms suitable.
Advertisements
for subscriptions
could help my
magazine sell in
higher quantities.
The various multi-media
platforms owned by Bauer
could help me promote my
magazine.
- A music channel could
help advertise the
magazine through advert
breaks, this would attract
my target audience also
as they tend to watch
4music.
- A radio station would be
an easy way to attract my
audience as the dj could
give the magazine a
shout out which would
be noticed by the millions
of people tuning in.
Kerrang and NME magazine are published by
Bauer.
The current magazines
published by Bauer are
rock cantered, this will
allow my magazine to add
a new variety to the
company and avoid
competition within the
same brand.
The fact that my magazine will have no similar
products within the company can be seen as a
negative as the publishers may not be familiar with
the Hip-Hop genre and won’t have the experience
in approaching its target audience as it is very
different to the current existing magazines in their
range.
8. Whowouldbe the audience for yourmediaproduct?
Through my magazine I aim to attract an audience which is
cool, trendy, youthful and isn’t afraid of trying new things
(16-25) as ‘Double-H’ share all these characteristics.
There is no preferred gender as I created the magazine to
show a side to hip hop that isn’t all about a particular social
group therefore there is no specified gender or ethnicity.
The one thing that is specified within my demographic is
the class; upper class people tend to listen to more
sophisticated and cultural music, not only this but as I have
previously mentioned, Hip-Hop does revolve around slang
and the ‘ghetto world’ which people in the upper class are
unfamiliar with, consequently will not find an interest in my
magazine. To conclude with, middle/working class people
are more likely to be aware of the Hip-Hop industry and will
see eye to eye with it.
Here are two character profiles of my
friends who match the criteria of the
people I would like my magazine to
appeal to:
These two would be great as
they are social people so could
spread the word about
'DoubleH’
Also, they are both studying
relevant subjects so could relate to
the magazine.
9. Howdid you attract/address youraudience?
-I attracted my audience by using many different techniques within my magazine and some
that I have included in the planning stage only, for example the price of the magazine isn’t
stated on the front cover, however my pitch claims I will charge £3 for it, making it attract the
working class readers as I believe this to be a reasonable and affordable price.
-Furthermore I have used a number of images, this is a positive as in my survey I found that
teens enjoy reading if there’s a lot of pictures involved.
-In the images I have included individuals of all races and ages meaning the magazine
Doesn’t discriminate against anyone and therefore will attract all types of readers.
-My choice of colours also attract people as I found in my existing magazine research
-and in my evaluation video as Samantha states ‘the bright colours make the magazine
Stand out’.
-The fact that I have included competitions and chances of winning things will attract young
people to buy the magazine as they will are more vulnerable in believing they have a high
change of winning,
-The use of big names in the industry on the skyline may not only attract my audience to
purchase the magazine but may persuade readers of magazines in compettition to read
‘Double-H’ too.
- The sticker on the front cover which states ‘Voted #1 by teens’ make the young people
believe that this is the hottest magazine out and reassures them to buy it.
10. 62 likes
One of the ways I addressed
the audience is by speaking
directly to them. These videos
show what my target audience
think about my work; talking
about what attracts them to
the magazine, what could be
improved and how it fits into
the Hip-Hop genre.
The first interviewee,
Samantha is a 17 year old, she
is the prime example of whom
I want to attract to buy my
magazine therefore what she
thinks matters. The second
interviewee is Nick Sharman
who is a website designer and
a graphics teacher, meaning
he’s a professional in the
media consequently making
his opinion highly valid. Lastly,
Misha, a music student knows
all about different genres in
the music industry and
therefore can identify if my
magazine matches its chosen
genre.
Another way that I have addressed my
audience is through social networking
sites as these are highly used by my
target audience. I posted an image of my
front cover onto ‘Instagram’ and received
50+ likes showing that it is of a high
standard and the youthful users like the
appearance of it. Alongside with posting
the photo I used hash tags such as
‘#DoubleH #Fresh #cool’ In order for the
picture to receive more attention as
young people search for these
Hash tags daily, giving the front cover
more
Chance of
Getting
Noticed.
11. What have you learnt abouttechnologiesfromtheprocessof constructing thisproduct?
Firstly, there was a variety of software programmes that I used in order to build up and create my magazine,
some of these I was fluent with, alternatively, some helped me gain new designing and presenting skills.
I used Microsoft PowerPoint to
help me store ideas in an eye
catching way in the process of
the research stage.
For example this is a mood
board I made which includes
the different ideas I had for the
magazine, PowerPoint allowed
me to move the pictures freely
and add desired text
Microsoft word also came in
handy for writing tasks as the
spell check and document-like
layout ensured your work is up
to a suitable standard.
I made use of this programme
with the longer writing tasks
such as: the double page
spread text planning and the
pitch.
I also used Microsoft Excel in
order to create bar charts for
the results of my survey which
helped me understand what
the target audience expect
from a music magazine
12. I was unfamiliar with slideshare
beforehand however now I have
learnt that it’s an effortless way
of uploading your PowerPoint's
onto a blog, for example I used
slideshare to upload my flat plans
onto my blog.
I was really worried about working on
Photoshop as In previous tasks I found it to be
quite time consuming and complicated However
I now have a different opinion. I have learnt a lot
of new skills such as adding shadows to images,
working with layout and generally understanding
the tools. I now feel much more creative and
imaginative while using Photoshop as I can alter
the page to my standards where as before I
would have needed a hand from a teacher, it has
helped me become more independent with my
work.
13. I was also wary about using Prezi as I
have seen my teachers use it and
imagined it as extremely difficult
however I learnt that it is a great way
to gather and present information – I
used it to carry out magazine research
and found it to be my favourite
programme to use.
Scribd was one of the easiest programmes to use, it simply allows
you to upload a single paged file on to your blog, I used this for
short pieces of work such as Facebook questionnaire feedback and
the publishing logo creation.
I made use of Survey monkey for finding out what my target
audience desired in a magazine, it was easy to use and very handy
as creating a survey free hand can be time consuming.
14. The hardware that I used ranged from computers to lighting umbrellas. I learnt a lot about photography
within the process of creating original pictures for the magazine. First of all I learnt the basics of a
professional camera, then the more complex settings such as changing the depth of the picture. I feel like a
lot of what I learnt has been through experimenting with different angles and lighting positions to make the
picture lighter/brighter, more close up or further away, I did this through moving the lighting umbrellas
closer to the subject to create darker shadows, or turning them off to create a calmer scenario. I also learnt
the process of setting up a tripod, using a scanner to relocate drawn documents onto the computer and
using the video setting. All of these new skills make me feel very confident about any future tasks that may
require me to use this knowledge.
15. Looking backat yourpreliminarytask,what do you feel you have learnt in the progression fromit to the fullproject?
When comparing the two different tasks I can see some similarities in my work for example, the
contents page is very organised with subheadings in both and there’s a consistent colour scheme
throughout. In contract to this I notice a drastic change in my skills and ability. Firstly, it is clear that I
have gained knowledge of the magazine conventions as the work to the right actually reflects a real
magazine whereas the other one does not due to mistakes such as locating the title in the corner
rather than the middle. Moreover, you can see a lot more detail in the music magazine, I have learnt to
pay attention to details such as the barcode and website which all add up to a professional look
whereas in my preliminary task I didn’t even include these essentials. Another thing I have altered
greatly id my ability to create something that attracts a certain group of people, for example you can
recognise that the magazine on the right is set out to target young, hip people due to the font, images
and colours used, however the magazine on the left gives a brief idea of a target audience however
nothing but the models outfit shows that this is an educational piece.
