A level media studies

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

2. Age & Gender
My magazine is a chart magazine and focuses on all genres. I was inspired by magazines such
as Q and Billboard. The target audience I am trying to connect to is very open, in that there is no
restriction in terms of age or gender, however it is aimed (loosely) at a younger audience, people
in their late teens and early tweenties, young people from 18-35.
My magazine is there to inform the readers of who is in the charts and of new artists of all ages
and genres, this is why I used a variety of genders throughout my magazine and this ensures the
readers have someone to relate to. Therefore, I have mentioned artists from all different genres
and all different ages, from The Kings of Leon, an alternative/pop rock band of men in their
thirties to Zara Larsson, a 19 year old pop artist and this mirrors the audience.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
The magazine I created is very clean cut for this reason, to attract my
target audience, I needed to avoid a very childish magazine but also an
overly mature one. By using bright colours, I am playing on the fact my
audience is young and fun, but not immature. Yellows or pinks would
have been inappropriate because to me, these are childish colours.
I also added a strip of artists featured in the magazine in addition to the
cover lines in order to really prove the diversity in artists in the
magazine like Nicki Minaj, a rapper, and Florence and the Machine, an
indie singer.

3. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Cover image
The body language of my artist is rather laid back and
obviously posed. He is wearing jeans to ensure he looks
casual, these are an item of clothing that are worn by almost
everyone, so this was a safe choice. The fact he is wearing a
black top and has a serious facial expression results in my
cover looking causal, but suggests it should be taken seriously.
Due to the fact my artist is a young male, it not only mirrors the
target audience, but also makes him relatable, providing the
audience with a reason to buy it in a quick glance.
In this specific issue, the artist for the magazine is holding a
guitar which highlights what the artist is famous for and does,
but also then attracts guitar players.

4. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Editors image
The photo of the editor shows girls in a positive light. I added a girl
with heavy and feminine makeup with pink lips, to not only stress how
girly she is but also highlight how the stereotype of girly girls not being
intelligent, and show they can do well in the workplace.
Contents page image
This photo relates to another trend, with coats, and
shows ‘chavs’ can achieve well and get to their goals. It
does not necessarily show them in a negative way but if
you were to glance at them, the moody face and coat
gives an unwelcoming signal to the audience, resulting
in them not liking this act. However, when the young
audience read on they may realise the act is down to
earth, and may also relate to them, as the could have
been judged for the way they look as a young person.

5. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Article image
My cover image really highlights the relaxed nature of it’s target
audience through the artist. The fact he is wearing a denim
jacket, not only shows how the artist is aware and up to date with
fashion, but show’s his young and cool side too. Denim jackets
are very stylish and this could inspire the young audience on
fashion. Denim, like the jeans of the cover represent the
casualness of the magazine.
Also, because the artist on the article is looking down, this
makes him look cool and effortless. Cool and effortless being
something young people inspire to be, breezing through life.

6. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
This magazine is an example of a rock magazine, and the reason I have added this is to
show how unique magazines represent their artists. My magazine is very mainstream and
clean, and portrays the artists in a positive, clean and ordinary way. Whereas the dark
eyes and smoke result in a goth and antiestablishment theme suggesting the audience
for this magazine enjoy a slightly darker vibe. The longer hair adds to this rule breaking
theme because it is going against fashion.