Media Evaluation Q's

Name: Lois Pritchard

Candidate Number: 2836

Centre: 33435 Aquinas College

AS Media StudiesOCR G321: Foundation Portfolio

Brief from OCR syllabus

1. Who would be the audience for your media product?

My media product, is a Music/Fashion magazine, aiming towards females who are aged around 13-25 years. For my media product, I used features and presentation, that would be suitable for the target audience for my magazine. My magazine includes a genre of POP/indie music, so I included a few artists that would be suitable for my magazine and also the audience with artist and bands that are ‘top of the charts’ today. Furthermore, I wanted to use a price for my magazine, that is expectable for teenagers to buy and is able to afford. Also since my magazine also has a hint of fashion inside, I thought this would be suitable for my target audience who is interested in POP/Indie music with weekly fashion updates to attract the viewer.For my magazine, I wanted the target audience to be similar to a similar magazine as mine, for example, ‘’WE LOVE POP’’ etc., as it has the same layout and features inside, and the same music taste which would be suitable and age appropriate for the audience. Also I will be publishing my magazine weekly so that my audience is satisfied with the magazine.

Front cover of music/fashion magazine

Before the process of making my magazine, I carried out a questionnaire , to see what my audience would like to see in my magazine. I mostly asked questions, about music; music stations, and fashion shops that they tend to buy from.

As you can see here, my audience preferred to have a pop magazine, as it was most popular, and is what teenage girls would listen to at that age.

From the question, most of my viewers wanted the clothing brand to be like Top Shop, as that is most popular and that is were the majority of the audience tend to shop.

Based on my audience research, I have found that there is a difference in market that there is a niche in the fact that the magazine would be a hybrid of POP/Indie and

fashion aimed at a primary audience of teenage girls.

In this magazine, the mast head uses more of a feminine font and colours that would attract a women. It also appeals the same genre as my music magazine would, as it is similar to my magazine with a POP genre. It is also very clear to see for the audience especially with a primary audience of girls aged 13-25 years.

It also covers the hybrid of the magazine, with the fashion pug, to attract the more fashion side of the audience. It also shows what the fashion female products look like, so the viewer will see the insider of what the pug will show inside the magazine, as it does with my magazine.

It also cover some features of the same genre of music that I will be publishing in my magazine. Since ‘JLS’ are a popular boy band, ‘Bliss’ highlighted the word ‘’Naughtiest ’’ so that the female population who have a strong interest for JLS will want to be interested in what the interview about the boys were about.

This magazine additionally covers the competitions and prizes that you can win, if you buy the magazine. I plan doing this to my magazine, so that females are more attracted to winning the competition.

After I analysed the questionnaire, I decided to create a mood board to help me decide and design my magazine for my audience to be satisfied with the product, and buy the magazine.

I used pop artists and indie bands in my mood board, as that is what my audience wants the magazine to be about, in terms of genre. E.g. Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Coldplay etc.

I have also taken into account that I wanted to use some clothing brands to keep the more fashion side of viewers satisfied with the magazine by using top clothing brands such as Top, Urban outfitters etc.

I have used an example of my magazine, in my mood board, to show that it is mainly going to be based on a pop genre and style.

I have also used my own pictures to be featured on my magazine, because since it is a pop and indie magazine, I wanted to put pictures up of acoustic and electric guitars to show the viewers who are more into indie, that there is the inside side to it as well, and not be bored.

I wanted to use the social networks, so that my magazine will be popular and my viewers would want to keep up to date with the magazine and become satisfied that they have something to read every week.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

MODE OF ADDRESS:The use of intertexuality within my features/articles, shows a code for my viewers that they would understand.

IDEAL READER:My star represents the ideal reader. Her outfit, is plain and simple, with her hair up to show the innocence to the audience, keeping in mind the traditional conventions for female stars. Therefore my audience would aspire to be like the star.

For my magazine, the main image/star, had to appeal to the right target audience, therefore make the star to be the idealised version of the reader. But the star has to be mainstream and non-threatening.

The next slide is going to show a popular star such as Ariana Grande, that is the most appropriate celebrity for the type of magazine, of a POP/Indie magazine, showing the appearance and performance based from her audience.

Direct eye contact with the audience Body language, so she

is posing to the camera.

Barely any makeup, showing her younger side.

Sweetheart, girlie dress, showing the younger sense to her younger audience.

White pearl bracelet, showing her older and feminine side.

Hair in up/down ponytail, with curls, showing femininity and youth.

Natural, innocent, positive facial expression.

Trying to appeal to a youthful audience as a good role model.

Hair is long and looks unbrushed.

Provocative, Exposing clothing to attract the male gaze.

Not smiling, not welcoming the audience.

Black, studded clothing show rebellion side.

Darker, but still neutral makeup, showing more risk taking and older.

Direct eye contact with audience.

Body language still posing for camera.

The straps in he clothing show she’s being tough. Especially with the red background.

Both of these costumes show the different personalities that the star has. The first costume shows the innocence, to the youth side of the audience. The second costume show the rebellious side to her, with the revealing clothing and black studded material, so it is more aimed towards the older, teenage audience.

COSTUME! (Comparing)

Grande would more likely to wear this as it suits her appearance to her band and the audience who they aspire to be like her.

However, Grande wouldn’t as such be wearing this as a day-to-day basis, as it isn’t to her style and appearance, with the revealing clothing, which doesn’t go with her sweet and innocent look, but will attract the male gaze and the older teenage girls.

All of the photographs of my stars that I used in my magazine, front cover, contents and Double page spread, all have a similar tone as it is innocent and non-rebellious, which is suitable for the genre for the magazine that I planned to make and produce. I tried to make the stars aspirational , to the audience. Also that the stars are like and have the same personalities as the audience, so it will attract to the audience and make them relate to the magazine, with the main star.

Front Cover

Contents Page

Double Page Spread

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

For my media product, I would use the publishers ‘EGMONT’. This is because they know allot about the genre of the magazine that I'm making, therefore they would have experienced the same target audience as I do.

This is where the latest news and downloading magazine sites are. To attract the audience with the latest news.

It has my magazine logo on it, to identify the brand straight away.

This image shows the weekly magazines, so that people can see the different weekly magazines

This shows my magazine subscription box, so people can subscribe to the magazine online.

This is where the audience can download, share, watch videos and look at playlists.

This shows the many social networks so the audience can follow their latest weekly mags so they are up to date


Merchandise

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product

and why?

Distribution:


For my media product, I would use the publishers ‘EGMONT’. This is because they know allot about the genre of the magazine that I'm making, therefore they would have experienced the same target audience as I do.

‘We Love Pop’ has a band statement of ‘’A brilliant monthly pop magazine’’ This is because,‘We Love Pop’ is targeted at 13-16 year old girls obsessed with music, celebrities, fashion and gossip. ‘We Love Pop’ is chatty, funny and informed but never patronising or preachy. They tell you what's hot right now and what's happening next with exclusive backstage access, photos & interviews. They also have unrivalled access to behind-the-scenes photos, exclusive interviews and editorial content that teen girls can't get anywhere else.‘We Love Pop’ not only has exclusive access to all the top pop acts but each issue is packed with the latest celebrity gossip and unique fast Premium free gifts, exclusive reader offers and discounts with every issue are also included.There is a dedicated websitewww.welovepopmag.co.uk, as well as social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) to complement the print magazine which also means multi platform packages exist for advertisers.


http://www.welovepopmag.co.uk/

4. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of

real media products?

5.How did you attract/address your audience?

Masthead

Extra Image

Secondary Images

Free Giveaway

Features

Main Image

Date

Subheading

Barcode

Pugs

Extras

Eye Contact

AGE, GENDER, GENRE!Age: My target audience for my magazine is mainly aimed towards 13-25 year olds. The main cover star, should be around the same age as the audience so that the audience as something to relate to and the issues within the magazine.

Gender: My magazine is targeted for females. The cover star is meant to represent teenaged females, although she doesn’t look as glamorous as any mainstream POP magazines would, it still portrays the teenage POP magazine.

Genre: The genre is a hybrid of POP/Fashion magazine. This is portrayed by the cover stars look and personality, with the pink flowery top and the bright colours. Also, other POP artists, such as ‘JessieJ’, Miley, Mondana etc. are situated on the front cover of the magazine, to resemble the POP music industry magazine.

5.How did you attract/address your

audience?

The masthead stands out amongst competitors because it’s simple and bold, and easy to read, which will be suitable for my genre and target audience.

The word ‘’FREE’’ is in bold in a bright colour so that the reader can attract to it and it persuades the reader to buy the magazine.

For this feature the readers are going to be attracted to the being names on the front cover such as ‘Miley’. It is also in a bright bold colour to draw attention to the reader if they are fans of the popular artists, and are fitted to my magazine genre.

I used this feature to show the reader the different stories that are in my magazine, by using images, to show the reader a little insider of what the story is about. I also put ‘100 gig reviews’ so that is will attract the reader more.


The use of the colours pink and black, contrast the with colours yellow and red, to keep the front cover, bouncy and bright since it is a POP genre. The main features are in either black or red, because it will stand out to the audience.

The hybrid from the fashion side of the magazine shows that the magazine has more than just music, to the fashion lovers, as it will bring more interest to my target audience.


The font is the same as the one on the front cover, but I changed it by making it bolder and a different colour, to familiarise that this is the front cover.

Using images will help the articles and draw attention to bet he audience to go to that main articles.

Giving the reader a subscription box, will persuade them to buy the magazine, and subscribe to it, which will make the magazine more popular.

The word ‘Features’ is used in the same font as the front cover also, to familiarise the readers identity of the magazine font. Also it is in a small box, so that it doesn’t get lost on the page


The masthead of the article, is in the same font as the front cover and contents so that the reader identifies and familiarises the same brand that thy are reading from.

The black box that is surrounding the pull out quote, makes it

stand out to the reader, so that they can understand what the

article ill be about, Also I did it in black, as it matches one of the

covers stars top which is a contrast with the pink and

yellow.

The quote ‘’New year, New Focus’’, Will stand out the reader, as it will be the first thing that they will read from, as it is in a bold colour with a box, and will also give the reader an insider of that the article is going to be about.


The tabs draw the audience in because they can be coming across a page, and would want to read the following article.

• All 3 of my products, have the same repetitive colour scheme of pink, black, red and yellow.

• The pink colour is quite feminine so it connotes to my target audience, as it is a POP magazine and which is why I kept it constant throughout the product.

• The yellow, black and black, give a contrast when making things stand out and look import, for example my features and specific words such as ‘’FREE’’ to stand out.


6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

First original photo.

Then I took off the grey background onto photo shop.

Then changed the picture from landscape to portrait.

What I have learnt about using the techniques from photo shop, is that I had to turn the cover star from landscape to portrait, for the front cover, as I wanted the image to look natural and less cramped. Plus the front cover is portrait so I would have to change the image to portrait.

6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this

product?

After choosing the mast head

I then added a pink background as the main colour scheme to go with the ‘POP’ theme. With the masthead on the top.

I then added all of my own photos and text, I didn’t print screen some of the process as the majority of the product, is mainly text and my own photo’s. I have also went on another website called www.picmonkey.co.uk to help with the main stars image.

http://www.picmonkey.co.uk/


For the rest of picture, I then used a crop, to help with the portrait of the picture. This will help the font cover as the front cover will naturally have a portrait image.

Next, I used wrinkle remover for the cover stars under eyes, as the star has to be a role model for the readers, and also has to have the young, teenage vibe and looking fresh, so I used that, on any area’s that needed the fixing.


Lastly, I used some blush, too make myself look a little more younger than usual. As the usual mainstream cover stars, have looks of definition of the face, to make them look younger or older, I intended to use here.


I started my contents with the masthead, with a bold, red with a black shadow to make it stand out

I then started to add the usual features of text, to show the reader where abouts the pages for the articles are. I then put some pictures of some of the articles to give an insider.

I then started with the original photo of the contents star to be the only large image on the screen. And added some colour. But I didn't like the fact that it was covering the whole contents. So I erased it and added more images to look more interesting and look like a contents page, by minimising the image so it was a standard shape and size for a secondary image.


As soon as I got all the important features, images and subscription boxes, I decided to use some colour in the background that's similar to the background on my front cover as it will familiarise the audience. I used this by using a square box, to highlight the areas where I wanted the colour to go.

This was the colour that I have chosen for the background. For this I used a colour square grid, to define a specific colour that I wanted for my background. Finally, I wanted the

subscription box to be a little bit bigger as it was leaving a gap, while it was still small. I did this so that the audience can attract attention to the box, and subscribe to my magazine, by simply, changing the size of it and the corners.


Final product.


Original photo.

For this photo for my DPS, I wanted to add an effect to it, to crate an effect and stand out to the readers. It would also set the mood of the background to be bright.

For this process I used an effect on www.Picmonkey.co.uk, called ‘Cross Process’For this

process I used the same tool, as I did for the contents page background called, a square colour grid, to define the colour of my choice.

Next, I went back to Photoshop, and used the square colour grid, to put as my pink background, as it is on my front cover and contents, so it will keep the readers familiar of the brand of the magazine. I also placed the photo, on the left side of the page, to indicate that the image will be the first thing the audience see.



For this image, I then put down the actual article itself and the mast head, which is the same font as the front cover masthead. I added a few blocks on the quote and the ‘’features’’ to give attention to reader, to look at and it will stand out.

For this technique i wanted to put a black background box, surrounding it to stand out to the readers and make it one of the first things to see for the reader I did it in black, because it was matching the same colour for the outfit that one of the cover stars is wearing and also is part of my colour scheme. Or this i used a blank box icon and highlighted it around the quote and turned it sideways

For this technique I did the same as the quote by using a blank box and highlighted the word ‘’Features so that it would stand out allot more, and indicate to the readers that is a one of the features page.


Final Product.

7. Looking back at your preliminary task (Aquinas College Magazine), what have you learnt in the progression from Aquinas magazine to the full

product?

Evaluating my college Magazine.

Codes and Conventions

Evaluating my college magazine.

Technologies Used:•Publisher•Picmonkey (Photoshop)•Digital Cameras•Altering and manipulating photos.

Evaluating my college magazine. FRONT COVERThe mats head links with the image as it is overlapping with the cover stars head/hair. Also the letter ‘A’ is highlighted in Red, to resemble the Aquinas College colours. Which will stand out the students.

This pug is relatable to both female and male students who love these kind of POP artists and bands. It will stand out with the bold red, as it is contrasting with the black used for the masthead on the coverBlending options Outer Glow- is used to create a shadow effect around the pug to stand out.

The features shown, are not usually just on the side of the

magazine, in columns.

Mine however is just using in shapes and different parts of the magazine so it gives the reader more to look at and make it stand out against over magazines. The different colours used in the features, make them standout and make the reader want to read them and buy the magazine. I also put down the page numbers that it gives the reader an idea where the article will be in the magazine, and will make them want to be interested and buy the magazine.

Evaluating my college magazine

I also used some images that are very popular and famous, that will get the readers attention and will want to know and read about why are in the magazine, without any writing next to them, and will leave them questioning why they are there on the front cover.

The big bold main features and pull out quote has the same font as the masthead. I have used text anchoring to overlap the text across the front of the image. I also added the signature of Katy Perry, to attract the readers attention, as it is a well known band and singer, and also signature


Photography for my cover star.

The cover star has direct eye contact to the camera, with a big smile, indicating to the readers that she is confident , which could be good, to see that the readers could have a role model who they look up too.

The background of the photo, is part of the school’s background so that the students are familiar of the awareness of the cover star, which will give the audience more reliance since it is taken in the space of their working environment.

I used www.Picmonkey.co.uk, to use for the cover star, to get rid of any imperfections, such as , wrinkles, teeth whitening and colour contrasting by, making the cover star look bright.



I thought of using this image as my cover star, but I decided not to use it, as it was too close up. Also the image is landscape and it wouldn’t work considering that the front cover has to be a portrait.

I also didn’t use this photo, because I felt like the slightly high angle shot, was going to make the audience feel more powerful than the cover star and looking down on her. I wanted to use this as the main

cover image, as it was suitable, that it was a mid-shot, and the background was the college’s sight, and would make it acceptable. Also unlike the other photo’s , this image has a big smile, which will indicate to the readers of confidents, which make the readers curious.


Technologies Used.

•Publisher•Picmonkey•Digital camera•Altering and manipulating photos.


Contents

I used the anchorage of the text, red, as the masthead for the front cover and the contents page, is also in red. I also used the red for the page numbers to make it stand out the readers and will make it easier for them to read it.

I used the main image, the biggest picture, as it will attract the music guitar lovers attention, as it also has a pug showing that they can win it for free. I also put the numbers next to the picture, to show that this is where the article will be. Also, i have pictures of music based and fashion based info, to show to the fashion lovers that their is a variety of music and fashion.

I put the Aquinas logo in the contents, I linked it with the colour scheme of the red only on the letter ‘’A’’.


For the contents I used the colour scheme of red as i used red for my front cover. I also did it in the same font , so the audience would be familiar and recognise the brand of the magazine.

I have also incorporated a few images of some fashion clothing, for the audience who are interested in clothing. I also added a discount, for the student and younger audience, so that they would be more interested and buy the magazine.


I didn't use the two on the right, as my main image, because I wanted it to be clear the audience that they would be winning a guitar, and that it would stand out. I also didn't choose them as it, only shows parts of the guitar which wouldn’t make it inviting.

I wanted to use this as my main cover on the contents page, as it clearly establishes that it is a guitar which will make the audience more excited about the article and the competition for the guitar. I also used www.picmonkey.co.uk to use for the black shadow around the image to create an effect.



2nd and final draft of my front cover magazine

2nd and final draft of my front cover magazine

Masthead it, big, bold and easy to read for the younger females of my target audience. Also, the black is in set with my colour scheme.

Emphasised on the word ‘’Win’’, in a bold, red colour with a slightly blue shadow in the background, to make it stand out to the audience and attract their attention straight away.

Added an insider for the fashion side to the magazine would look like. Making tem interested in the article and buy the magazine. Also put the words ‘’Your Spring Style Special’’ to make the saying sound catchy to the reader, and make them interested. It also stands out by how it is in a yellow circle which attract the readers eye.

Adding this subhead, in a black, bold text, anchoring that it is overlapping with the image and is in the same colour as the masthead to make it stand out. Also in colours of my colour scheme, of black, pink and red.

Added a section, with secondary images, to give the reader some insight of what they are about to expect in the magazine. Also with the pug ‘’PLUS’’ in a yellow bold text, it will make them draw to this area fo the magazine, and will make them curious to what, they will be reading. Finally, when it sais ‘ 100’s of gig reviews’’, will draw attention to reader, if they were interested in the reviews.

Final draft of Contents Page.

Final Contents Page.

I used these images, as my own images, and putted numbers next to them to indicate to the readers that this is the page where the article or image is from, giving the audience an insider of the article, which will make them curious. I also did the umbers in a bold, yellow colour to stand out, and is in the theme of my colour scheme.

Mast head is in a strong, bold, read colour to stand out to the audience, and is has a black shadow around it to intensify the mast head, and makes it clear for the audience to see that it is the contents page. Also the name of the brand ‘’PERSONAL’’ that’s on the front cover is also on the top right hand corner of the page, to show the audience that the contents page is from the same brand of magazine.

Evaluating Contents Page.

I used a subscription box, to show the readers that you can subscribe to get them reading this magazine weekly. With details of the website and telephone number, to stay in contact with the magazine. I used it in red, as it is in the theme of my colour scheme.

I used the words ‘’Fashion Issue’’, and ‘’Music Issue’’, in the same font as the mast head font he front cover, to give the reader, to familiarise the brand of the magazine. I also did it I red as it is in the theme of my colour scheme. Also the page numbers are in a line, s that it is easy for the reader to read from, and looks neat.

Used the word ‘’Wakestock’’ as the same font, and colour as the masthead of the contents page, so that it will stand out from the simple black and pink text, and will draw the readers to look at the article.

Media Evaluation Q's

Education

Transcript of Media Evaluation Q's