Mock Up Front Cover Analysis

 

How does your media product represent different social groups?

My magazine represents the particular social group firstly because the masthead is simply 'College' and is very relatable to the audience since a large majority of the audience is teenagers. The sell lines represent the audience as they fit the interests of them and one of the sell lines 'Student Style' clearly addresses them, making them interested and more likely to buy. The colours of the magazine are bright and eye-catching, and are colours that teenages would like. Finally, the main image is of a girl who is clearly around the age of a majority of the audience, representing them. This would make it more relatable to the audience and much more appealing to them, too, persuading them to buy the product.

 

What kind of media institution may distribute your media product and why?

  I looked up media institutions, and If I had to choose a company to print and distribute my magazine it would be IPC. They print magazines and distribute them to stores all across the country, stores such as WHSmiths and etc. It is the leading magazine publisher in the UK, producing over 60-70 media brands. Since this company has a great reputation and is reliable and professional, this would be a great company to have distribute my magazine as it would make it successful and easier for the target audience to get hold of. 

 

Who is the audience and why?

The primary audience for the magazine is college students around the ages of 16-18 as it is includes relevant information for the reader to help them out with college and also because it is specifically made for college students in particular. My secondary audience would be students that will be going up to college, I have chosen this audience aswell because they will most likely read this magazine to find out more about college life and what to expect. It also has all the details on the cover that would appeal to this audience and also the primary one too. There's a possibility that parents may want to read this magazine to find out what college life is like and what their children will be going through and want to find out how to help them out if they are struggling.

 

How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted my audience with the use of styles that would be used in a usual standard magazine that would create a sense of familiarity which would help persuade the audience to buy it. Also, I used bright colours and simple bold font styles that would catch their eye and interest them. Also, the main image is of a female the same age as the target audience, so they would be able to relate to her and since she is looking out directly and smiling, this would create a sense of warmth, making it more likely for the audience to buy the magazine. Finally, the sell lines are simple yet interesting, which would make the audience want to read more and the overall look of the magazine is simple and attractive and this would make it much more appealing to them. 

 

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

I have learnt several skills in the process of constructing my magazine. From the programme I used to create the cover, Pixlr Express, I learnt how to make an image more appealing by increasing the vibrance and contrast of the image and also making it brighter and and sharper, giving the image a more professional look. Also, learnt how to add an image onto the cover by getting an image of a barcode and placing it in the bottom right corner. Finally, I learnt that less is more. If you use a bold, simple text and a short, interesting sell line it makes the magazine much more appealing to look at; the less text used on a cover, the less cluttered it and interesting it looks and also persuades the audience to buy it.