Draft

How do you intend to use the four areas of the media theoretical framework to communicate meaning and meet the requirements of your chosen brief? (approx. 400 words)

Product 1

For the magazine I plan to design, I aim to use forms of media language to help appeal to my intended audience, which are classified demographically as individuals between the ages 16-25 fitted into the AB class and above. To help my magazine appeal to this demographic and to fulfil the demands of Bauer’s media, I’m required to bring something unique and special to the table helping it stand out from all other magazines. So to achieve this goal, I plan to approach my design with a rather unorthodox fashion, in terms of layout and design. For both my magazines, I will stick to one colour theme reinforcing that very sought after aesthetic appeal, my first issue will be coloured with a somewhat darker colour which will mark the end of summer in which it is set to release. The second issue will be coloured pink which appeals with the whole autumn vibe preparing for the start of autumn. In terms of layout my first issue will have the photograph unusually positioned on the cover, setting it aside from traditional magazines, however both issues will incorporate a unique font and colour theme. The front cover image for first issue will be shot outside to reinforce the street style theme I intend to go for, whereas issue 2’s front cover will be shot in a studio helping it fit its autumn theme and also meeting the requirements of the brief.  Issue one will star a young black male in the front cover making the magazine appear ethnically diverse appealing to a larger demographic. My second magazine will star an oriental young female which again appeals to this ethnic diverse demographic, but also reflects diversity at a gender standpoint too. For both my magazine covers, I’ll ask the models to keep eye contact with the camera which conveys a certain sense of authority, when this authority originates from someone diverse ethnically or gender-wise, it may spark a greater interest in my target audience as the models are not perceived in a docile or passive manner.  This is especially effective towards people under the impression that women are discriminated against, in doing so, placing a women at point of authority may appeal to this feminist idea. My contents page will be fairly conventional excluding the unique layout and will comprise of fashion choices, clothing releases, and lifestyle. However, I will stray from any political and social movements to prevent biased, keeping my target audience as large as possible as they’ll comprise of people with a whole variety of views all with preferred readings. Both issues will differ slightly allowing for a flexible house style and freedom for radical designs when it comes to making future issues, nevertheless aspects like the fonts and masthead will remain the same. I plan to use social media as my main point of advertising, by creating band partnerships with Instagram models and clothing lines to reach my target audience, as the people who follow these brands and models are interested in fashion which fits directly into my target psychographic.

 

 

 

 Product 2

 

I am also required to create a website for my magazine, it is vital that I make sure that my website follows media language conventions. I need to make sure I have my original title/masthead and a menu bar allowing the viewers to navigate throughout the website with ease. On the menu bar which is to be located on the top right of my website, the viewers will be able to  scroll through fashion drops, issue contents, a coming soon option and have the choice to Subscribe. This subscribe button is quite conventional when looking at different magazine websites as it keeps subscribers updated on new releases or to whatever might spark their interest.  There will also be a link on the top of the website to bring viewers to the magazines Instagram and other social media's keeping it very interconnected, a social media presence is very vital as it allows people to comment, leave feedback or critique, which the demographic my magazine is targeted towards is notable for. On the home page there will a behind the scenes of the two released issues as well as news about fashion.

My aim primarily for the website I’m making, is that it will allow my viewers to receive consistent updates on fashion news and issue releases, which is something that other magazine struggle to do. Since the magazine is interconnected with social media this task will be much easier to achieve. For my website, I plan to make a link which will guide you to a video which will welcome viewers to our website, here an upcoming model will explain how its like working for mosaic and perhaps notify our viewers about exciting updates which are still yet to come. If this was a real magazine then all these pages and videos will be updated quite frequently due to audience’s demands and to reach the expectations of Bauer Media, but in this case I am required to only match the brief.

Similar to my magazines my goal is to make a very unique but aesthetically pleasing website, so I need to take into account the visual elements to really be able to seize the attention of my target audience. I plan to stick my two completed issues of the magazine in the front page, as well as some pieces of apparel which of course links back to the fashion aspect of my magazine which lets my target audience some insight on how the magazines are like.

If we examine traditional magazine websites the colour scheme is very simple, most commonly a white and black excluding the pictures, however due to my unconventional design for the magazine issues I plan to make, my aim is to make the website retain this similar theme of magazine with light tints to really capture the viewers’ attention. This combined with the array of pictures and layout may really appeal to my demographic.

 

How do you intend to link your media products to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the digitally convergent nature of your media production? (approx. 100 words)

 

One of the most vital thing a media product should have is a consistent brand image across all their products, and I need to demonstrate this in my two issues and my website as they both revolve around the same thing, fashion. The unique style I’m pursuing is something unlike other magazines and this alone sets the foundation for a brand image. One of the most obvious things I need to keep an eye on is the font and the title/logo for my magazine and websites along with a consistent house style.

 

One of the most vital parts of a brand image is the logo, because this is what the target audience will look at first to identify and recognise the brand. As for typeface I plan to use bahnschrift for both issues of my magazine due to its very clean and clear look.

 

To create a positive brand synergy, I intend to clearly link both products make this clear to my target audience. A way I can do this is by creating a video which includes one of my models referring back to the magazine.