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
My real-life magazine title 'Vernal' targets my primary audience of 16 - 25-year-olds. It elicits familiarity towards the audience's youth era. This is evident because Vernal is a synonym for youthful. The term is used to introduce the season of Spring, and this will be reflecting the start of Vernal Magazine. Specific conventions within the layout will include a sans serif masthead. I chose a sans serif font because it portrays an elegant appearance which is complimentary to the style of my magazine. Sans serif font also connotes friendly and approachable which will be appropriate for a real-life magazine. To appeal to an AB demographic, the products will consistently eliminate negative space but in a more refined way with organised columns so that it no longer connotes to being cheap. Throughout the issues, I will create a brand identity that is recognisable. However, I will use distinctive features to distinguish each issue individually. I will do this through varying representations, colour themes and mis-en-scenes. My magazine will include intertextuality to create a shared experience with the audience. I will refer to other medias such as popular songs. I will ensure that the intertextuality used will be reputable and have an existing culturally aware audience. My first cover will star Lia Watts, a young entrepreneur who utilised her time throughout lockdown to start a business and movement towards helping the environment. Her business promotes eco-friendly behaviour through her new sustainable fashion collection on clothing. Watts is a significant role model for the target demographic because audiences can relate to her as she represents the youth and how young adults like her are able to achieve and fulfil their aspirations. Some of the content within this issue will consist of popular occurring trends such as thrifting to raising awareness of the unethical practises of fast fashion. My second cover will star Jack Dillon, a student that has been recognised for encouraging femininity among young boys through clothing and behaviour. This issue will discuss assorted topics that are relevant for young individuals. Some of the issues covered will be on toxic masculinity and advice. To provide the correct representation, I will heavily rely on the mise-en-scene and what is stereotypically feminine attire. Adhering to Hall's representation theory regarding stereotypes, Dillon-Singer will contest and subvert the meaning of what it is to be masculine. This will therefore provide a counter typical and deconstructed representation.
Product 2
In order to promote the product, I will advertise the issues on a website. The online version will allow a wider global audience to be reached. The style portrayed on the print version will be translated onto the site to provide consistency. It will include similar content and stories that project the magazines values. In order to create a strong brand identity, I will include audio clips of my audience's opinion and ideas surrounding the topic. I will encourage the content to consist of stories, advice and lessons learned. The website will also include social media. This allows the brand to build a community of followers which offer interaction. This is crucial when promoting the product because most of my target market are users of Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Tiktok. By having these platforms, the company can easily identify what content sells well through likes and comments. It also allows for the product to spread much easier by shared links. Knowing that the online version will have a larger audience, I will try to promote the print edition and to make it visible. When addressing funding, I will highlight advertising content within the website. Throughout the website, the audience will also be exposed to other articles discussing similar topics or preferred interests of my target 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)
I will provide a strong brand identity that’s persistent throughout my designs. I intend to create a logo which will feature in both my magazines and websites. The logo will be visible to consumers by having it shown as a masthead or a letter mark. This is so that the demographic can recognise the brand the type of content we produce. I am also likely to include links relating to potential business's that support similar values of the company and open chatrooms etc. This provides exposure for alternative businesses and support to my target market of young adults.
