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FRONT COVER

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FRONT COVER

• I ensured my main cover-line was large and centered to link with Time Out and ES magazine. This is so that audiences can recognise the words and respond to that by picking it up to get a closer look. I also used bright red letters with a white outline, to reflect the St George's cross but also to catch audience's attention. Centering the letters means that it is also a focal point for the readers, and goes with the typical convention of a magazine. Using catchy phrases and the artists name, audiences are drawn to that which they familiarise with and are subliminally subjected too each and every day. Using bold letters means audiences are generally more likely to read the word. Using exclamatory punctuation, audiences are understanding of the inflection given but also universally perceive the sentence as exciting and new. This applies to typical magazine conventions because it entices the reader and makes them want to be informed as to what's so exciting about it.

• Magazines will typically have an image that will take up the whole of the magazine. I decided that taking three separate images and putting them together would create a version of London that would suit the target audience's perception of the region. Using two females meant that I took in the feedback from my target audience and applied it too my work. This takes in the conventional element of females as powerful beings and not just objects, going against Mulvey’s theory of ‘the male gaze,’ by creating an artist, that although is urban is fully clothed and respectful, shown powerful not passive and partially aggressive but not de-womanised. However I am also going against specific stereotypes, such as Bell Hook’s ‘commodified blackness’ theory, that black women are objectified and sexualised keeping my artist fully clothed, using black as a form of power and status and the beige coat as a form of etiquitte and mystery. By using the image of the London eye, I was also able to use the iconography of London that is visually familiar to a range of different people meaning my audience will identify better with my magazine. Centering the two images is a typical convention for a regional magazine, but using two models instead of one is not. This is so that the audience are drawn to and understand that these people are the main topic within the magazine, and main item of interest. Compared to magazine's such as Time Out, my main image reflects the same type of representation of London as a lively place using celebrities to entice the audience, but appealing to my target audience by using younger models and hybridizing my magazine to fit with regional and gossip. This links in with theorist Steve Neale that says 'difference is essential to genre' and I took this theory and applied it so that I could appeal to a target audience of Mainstreamers and Aspirers according to 'Young and Rubicam's' audience reception theory.

• Placing my masthead in the upper left hand corner is a typical magazine convention. Because it is big and bold and stands out from the other words on the front cover audiences are automatically drawn to it, but placing it in the specific and universally known corner means that the magazine sticks to typical conventions. My masthead going over the main image is not a typical convention as it shows that my magazine is not as well established as other because audiences will not recognise it unless it is fully visible. Sticking with the house style but inverting it with my cover lines, audiences then understand the difference between the masthead and cover-lines but also see the contrast between the two, this makes my magazine more colourful but sticks with the colour scheme and does not bombard the reader with too many clashing colours. Similar to this, the date and website details of the magazine are placed oppositely in the top right hand corner to announce to readers that this information is just as important. Using a date lets readers know what issue the magazine is so they feel up to date, but also including a website address means my magazine is contemporary and appeals to a younger audience, this also shows that audience’s have a choice and can participate in the creation of the magazine, linking to David Guantlett’s theory of participatory culture. This way I do not alienate my readers but rather include them.

• I then put an advert on the bottom length of the magazine, taking inspiration from Time Out London to tempt the audience, and get them to want to read more, and find out more information on what's inside. This also begins to show my magazine as unconventional through the convention of a ‘freebie’ because I am using a sports person that is not specifically linked to a sports team (so as not in implicate my magazine in any favouritism or false advertising) and introducing this person in a positive light. This is where my magazine begins to become a hybrid of sports and region, and it demonstrates to he ‘Quirky/Individualists’ that this magazine is something that can also appeal to them as it does not follow typical ‘mainstream’ magazine conventions. This also means, from the feedback I received post production, that my audience feels listened to and not alienated as the anomaly I experimented with found the additional sports aspect of the magazine ‘refreshing’ but ‘not trying too hard,’ and makes audiences want to read inside the magazine to find out more. I also wanted to appeal to the geo-graphic stereotype of London as a ‘greedy’ place full of ‘aspiring’ people, so using a celebrity to endorse better skills, means that I would appeal better to my target audience, especially as they are young and still developing.

Main image. Celebrities with blank or expressionless faces. Controversy using two models instead of one, and both models of different class and race in comparison to David Tenant. Central image. Controversial using a background in comparison to the plain background of Time Out.

Date shown to make obvious what edition it is, but also that the magazine is delivered weekly. Website address so audiences feel included in the making of the magazine. Positioned in the upper left corner as this is a conventional placing for audiences to recognise.

Positioning the name of the magazine in the upper left hand corner, as that is a stereotypical placing of titles. The Masthead going over the image as the magazine is not established yet.

Cover lines. Used big and bold, mostly not covering the image.Eye catching, and in line with the colour scheme. Naming the celebrity with catchy phrases. Punctuation to show inflection.

Advert at the bottom to reflect something within the magazine, use of ‘freebie’ to attract audiences and appeal to the ‘greedy’ nature of London culture. Bright and bold but in line with the colour scheme.

CONTENTS PAGE

• Most magazines have a number of different images on their contents page. I decided to go against this specific convention, as I did not want to bombard my readers with too many pictures. Although t is a good way f introducing readers too the magazine, I decided I wanted a magazine that readers delved almost straight into rather than one where the contents page was more interesting than the contents of the magazine itself (this was a problem I had with certain magazines.) Using these images I was able to reflect the element of my magazine, making the main image the young white educated male, this meant that my magazine gave off the educational vibe as another hybrid convention. Depicting him in a shirt and chino’s so that he is viewed in a ‘smart casual’ formal/informal dress, so as not to alienate my target audience and appeal to all types of social classes. But also including the landmark of Big Ben as a regional icon, so that my audience understand that this is still a regional magazine and to create a feeling of identity within the magazine so that the audience familiarise with the sight of the landmark. By also including the image of the young black female on the front cover, I also add a sense of diversity to the magazine and create the link from the front cover to the contents page. By making the magazine editor black as well links in with this idea, and including her smiling, means that my audience feel welcomed and invited to read what is inside of the magazine. I decided not to number the images as I did not feel it was needed and instead put the images next to the articles that they apply too so that my audience did not feel ‘babied,’ but also had the choice of filtering through the magazine to find what they are looking for.

• I created a house style that I could separate my different columns and topics within the magazine, but also so that my magazine became recognisable for it colour scheme as well. By including the information of the article and the page numbers, I am able to communicate to my audience what is happening within the magazine, and direct them to specific places within the magazine so that they understand what the main topics of discussion are. Selecting different terms such as ‘Gossip’ to hybridise my magazine and ‘travel’ to link to the original genre, I am also able to include a range of different types of audiences such as ‘mainstreamers’ and ‘aspirers.’ Putting the editors notes at the top of the page next to my main image, I am also able to introduce my readers to the magazine and the contents which is inside, and make more known to the audience what they are to be expecting. • I also kept the editors note as a conversational tone to invite my audience to want to read

the information within but also to inform them of what is to come within the magazine, this also makes the audience feel the magazine is more personal and applicable to them and includes them within the community.• I have used these conventions so that my I do not stray far from the genre of the magazine

and do not distance my ‘mainstream’ audience from the magazine as they are the larger subset. This also means that I do not set myself against the feedback I received from my target audience, and take into account what they have said.

Use of heading to show the audience what they are reading and masthead because my magazine is not yet that established. Main image large so the audience understand that it is the main article within the magazine.

Subheadings/article names to attract and direct the audience to specific articles.

Pictures that apply to certain texts and appeal to audiences. I put mine next to the articles instead of numbering them so the audience do not get distracted by images.

Credits notes so that the audience can find further information on the creation of the magazine. Contact information so the audience can take part in the creation of the magazine.

House style so audiences know what magazine the contents page belongs to and what page the are on.

Numbered articles so the audience know what page to look at for the article.

Editors notes and information to make the audience feel connected to the magazine and included in the creation of it

ARTICLE

• The mode of address within my article is meant to invite the reader and make them feel as though they are a part of the interview. I have decided to use the interview type of address so that my audience get more information and actual quotes from the celebrity instead of having a biased recount of what a journalist might think of this celebrity. Doing this means that my audience are able to decide for themselves what they feel about this person which in turn would make them feel empowered and a part of the magazine. Keeping the interview informal also means the audience begin to understand how the celebrity speaks and how they would come across in a conversation meaning the audience feels closer too the celebrity and are not ostracised from the magazine.

• When introducing my article I also wanted to make the audience feel as though they were being drafted to read this, so by using a ‘advert-like’ tone I was able to advertise the article to the audience so they themselves were interested in reading it and not pushed into reading it. I wanted to make the article sound appealing as most teenagers do not find education appealing and also petition to the male and female subset of my target audience instead of just enticing them with pictures. I made it obvious that this is the introduction by using a slightly bigger font and bolder text so that the audience understood it was not a subheading.

• The article itself depicts the celebrity in a positive light, going against the stereotype of young teenage boys as ‘hoodlums’ or ‘rebels without a cause,’ but also the stereotype of boxers being mainly from the black community. This also goes with Laura Mulvey’s theory of ‘The female gaze,’ using a well built young male as a prop for commercial use and making my magazine slightly controversial due to the subversion of male and females being objectified. However using this article as a “feel good” story depicts the region as a lively but well educated place. Along with this the term “Books and Boxers” subverts stereotypes of athletes as uneducated and creates a new identity for the audience to recognise and identify with as it shows the celebrity as ‘human’ instead of idolising them.

• Using columns is a convention the audience chose. When I took information from my questionnaire, I discovered audiences found it easier to read information through columns as it seems like less work. By doing this I am appealing to the target audience but also making sure I do not make readers feel uncomfortable or ‘attacked’ by the amount of information they are being given. I also used a drop cap so that the audience knew where the article began and could find their way through the rest on their own. This way the audience do not feel confused or disorientated, but also so that they are able to understand the layout of the magazine and its article. This is a typical convention in terms of most magazines so that audiences can find their way through articles.• Using a pull-quote is a way of interesting the reader in the article. The

inspirational words are something audiences can relate too or identify with, but also so that they recognise it as something the celebrity would say. Using this convention also means that I am able to attract audiences with something big and bold. Catchy words and large writing is a convention that always attracts the eye of the audience, and in doing so I can attract audiences with inspirational quotes that portray the celebrity in a positive light and goes against typical conventions

• The images I used within the magazine are all supposed to present the model as a passive but humble character, someone who cares for the community and is not fraught with all the gossip and ‘turf’ wars. This is supposed to present a young person in a positive light and is a contrast from the front cover because it is not gossip and rumours. This is also supposed to be a juxtaposition because the celebrity is known for violence but promoting passive thought.

• Keeping him in a formal/informal dress means demonstrates to the audience that he is ‘human’ or ‘just like them’ so they feel better about themselves. Using a white male links in with Stuart Hall’s idea of the media presenting a ‘western culture’ but also subverting it as ‘white’ boxers are a minority within that culture. I wanted to use this to show diversity within my magazine and also to portray London as a cultural place. Along with this I am going against typical media conventions and hybridising my work to become a sports magazine as well as a regional magazine.

• Placing the main image as a medium portfolio shot in the top left hand corner, means the audience are able to receive the model full on. This mainly applies to the female subset, but males that idolise the celebrity as well. This image in large is a means to attract the audience. Then placing further images at the bottom of the page means that I am able to show the celebrity doing this work and looking as though he is having fun doing so, therefore encouraging children to read more as they aspire to be like him.

• Further analysing this work, I realise there are no children within the article, but that was hard to require given my time and resources and therefore I was not able too, along with this, finding younger students and getting permission from their parents would be something I am willing to change if I ever got a chance to improve my work.

Headline – catchy and appealing to entice audience to read what is inside. Subheadings to summarise what the article is about.

Main image to appeal to audiences and attract them to enquire what is inside the article.

Sub-images to make the audience understand what is inside the article and appeal better to them. Using images of the model I made mine appeal to the audience and the article, but also look promotional for what he is doing.

House style so audiences understand the article is a part of the magazine as well as know what page it is. Masthead because my magazine is not yet established, used as a typical magazine convention

Question in bold point and answer in plain text so that the audience can differentiate the two.

Drop cap to show audiences where the article begins. Pull quote to attract audiences and make them feel they are being spoken too.

Personal idiolect so the audience feel spoken too and not at and so the article does not show a bias opinion.

ADVERT

• In terms of my advert, this does not usually follow the typical advert conventions of a regional magazine. This is because most adverts in the regional magazines I have read, included cars, children in need or regional ads specific to a certain borough. My advert follows the local regional magazine type because of the use of a specific character and the fact that it would apply to only one gym.

• Creating this character meant that I had to keep my magazine completely neutral so that it was not specific to any team and did not show support or favouritism too a team. I did this by keeping with the colours of the magazine and using blank and plain clothes, this meant I was able to achieve a neutral ground. Making sure to keep my model in football clothes, I also added the use of a football to make more obvious that he is a footballer and put him in a field to make obvious to the audience that this is his comfort zone and this is a football advert. Putting him in clothes that show off his physique also makes audiences aspire to be like him by working out. This entices them to join the gym and sells the idea of a celebrity taking interest in them making the audience feel invited and welcome, but also makes the magazine look communal and also fun. This produces the idea that London is a lively place with great opportunities and using an Asian model, it also portrays it as culturally diverse and different.

• Using other images that show off the sports centre also means that audience do not feel like they are running blindly into this and have more information on what it is they are being sold. By adding in people, showing them having fun and using the equipment, the audience are able to feel connected to what they are viewing and are able to picture themselves using this equipment.

• By also adding in a borough tag, the audience feel as though the magazine is part of the community and therefore feel better connected to the advert and the celebrity.

• The text on the advert is there to attract the audience and inform them of what is being sold too them. I did not want to bombard my audience with information as it is an advert and not an article. By putting in key information I am able to appeal to my target audience as they are the ‘impatient’ generation, and therefore do not want to have to weed through paragraphs of text in order to get the information they need. Using a slogan ‘walk, run, play’ I am interesting the audience I am aiming for. This advert especially is aimed at ‘aspirers’ or those who want to better themselves. Using this slogan means that they feel invited and using the word ‘play,’ although it can be seen in a childish sense, is there to invite them to play with the celebrity included. ‘State of the art equipment,’ and ‘newest’ also means that it is brand new which will interest audiences because they prefer to be ‘the first’ for everything.• I also decided that adding in contact information that includes a website and email

address, means that this generation feel better connected to the advert as they are able to find out information on their own, giving them a sense of independence, which is a quality all teenagers want to have. Using the word ‘free’ as a way to entice the audience, I also give them an incentive and chance to be ‘the first’ by giving a specific quota of the ‘freebie.’ The word ‘youth’ also means that they do not feel like children but still this still has a ‘young’ feeling to it that will appeal to the target audience.

• This shows how adverts are used within regional magazines as they are able to sell not only products but people and places as well. This means that adverts can appeal to target audiences and also make magazines connect with those target audiences. This also means that the audience is more likely to read the magazine more in hopes of finding more ‘freebies’ and more information on subjects that matter to and include them.• If I was to have the opportunity to alter my advert, I would probably include

better text and pictures that included close up shots of people from the target audience using the facilities. This is so that the audience would feel better connected to what they are being sold, and are more likely to enquire. I would also include more social addresses such as twitter, Facebook or Instagram so that the advert includes the target audience more and they can find information through what is familiar to them.

Large title. Attracts audiences and makes them want to read the advert.

Catchy slogan – entices audiences to want to participate.

Additional pictures – to advertise to the audience what they can be doing. My use of sporadic pictures at angles to appeal to ‘quirky’ audiences

Main image to attract audiences to the advert. My use of a celebrity to entice the audience to take the offer.

Additional information to let the audience know what is being advertised.

Contact information so the audience can find out more information about what is being advertised.

Promotional text so that audiences are more drawn to what is being advertised.

Name of the sponsor/ company so the audience are able to trust the information given.

Additional borough logo, so the audience understand it is a regional advert that applies specifically to them.