1A. Convention Question

Zoe Stuthridge

1A. Conventions of real media texts/creativity, research and planning

For my AS media coursework I created an indie music magazine, titled ‘Now Indie’, aimed at 15- 24 year olds, based on my audience research and planning. For my A2 media coursework I created a regional lifestyle magazine, titled ‘Cornish Life’, following genre conventions and audience expectations. Throughout the planning stages with both my AS and A2 coursework I used various platforms such as ‘Survey Monkey’ in order to understand more about a specific audience demographic for both my magazines. This allowed me to adapt my style in order to appeal to this audience demographic, because I was able to ask a wide group of people what they would like to see in both my AS and A2 magazines.

For my secondary research in my AS work, I looked at a wide range of music magazines in order to give me a better idea on the genre I wanted to create. When realising that I wanted to create a magazine relating to the indie genre I studied a variation of indie music magazines to understand the conventions. In terms of secondary research for my A2 work, I looked at magazines such as ‘Cornwall Life’ and ‘Cornwall Today’, along with their accompanying websites to gain a better understanding on typical genre conventions. This ensured that I was able to apply these conventions to my regional magazine in order to appeal to my target audience.

For my AS coursework I established a house style through my use of colours, in order to appeal to my audience. I considered colour connotations and genre conventions when creating my indie music magazine, and repeated the colour of my masthead in certain areas of my magazine to establish repetition, therefore ensuring that a sense of familiarity is present amongst my primary audience. For my A2 coursework, and particularly for my regional front cover, I followed a colour theme consisting of darker colours (typically black and white) to represent the seasonal theme I was creating. I also considered colour connotations and how effective the contrast between my chosen colours would be, in order to entice and appeal to the audience.

For my AS coursework I followed a similar layout to the indie music magazines I had previously looked at, and wanted to create an organised layout throughout my magazine in order to connote high production values and appeal to the audience. I structured my images and typography in positions that made them easily accessible to the audience, therefore appealing to them. I repeated this process through the course of my A2 regional magazine, as it was essential for me to maintain an organised layout throughout my product in order to connote high production values whilst simultaneously appealing to the audience.     

In terms of imagery and typography for my AS coursework, I used a female model in my indie music magazine in order to follow genre conventions and appeal to the audience. Because my indie music magazine was aimed at a young audience, I used a female model belonging to this age demographic in order to appeal to the audience by presenting them with someone they can relate to. Due to this, I altered my mise - en - scene with the models clothing and environment, and whilst my photo shoot was conducted in a studio and not somewhere that would be deemed as a 'natural environment', I wanted my photographs to be taken in a studio in order for me to receive high quality images and connote high production values to the audience. I thoroughly researched typography in detail to ensure that I was following genre conventions closely, which would also give my magazines appearance more professionalism and appeal to the audience. 

For imagery and typography throughout my A2 coursework, 

Colour palette

Layout

Imagery

Typography