• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My magazine, “The Meme”, develops the conventions of real media products in most ways, including a masthead at the top, cover lines, a mid close up of a person for the cover and a general application of bright and matching colours. Additional stylisation such as the unusual stripe and "TV Static" motif, contribute to the feel and uniqueness of the magazine.

By taking inspiration from other similar products such as “Uforia” magazine I have created a bright colour scheme and with some unique designs that both set the magazine apart but also engages and relates to the students.

There is no barcode as the magazine is free but in general “The Meme” respects the traditional codes and conventions.

• How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product represents the young 16-19 demographic of students what with the colourful presentation, unusual TV Screen inspired style, psychedelic motifs and use of language. The colours and presentation are kept gender neutral as is the content of the magazine itself, although certain articles have been specialised in order to attract further audience appeal. By aiming to please students rather than genders, my magazine doubles its amount of potential readers and still keeps a few articles to attract some extra gender based attention and appeal.

By distributing “The Meme” without a price tag I have aimed to better assist students who are part of a low earning socio-economic group and do not have the funds to purchase many magazines, by providing them with a free source of entertainment that relates to them on a close level.

• What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

The media institutions that may distribute my media product would likely be the school itself due to the magazine being non-profit and with many articles pertaining to school life.

• Who would be the audience for your media product?

The audience for my media product would naturally be the students of the school, I have made the magazine free and it contains articles that they may find helpful and/or relevant to their lives, such as cover stories on school events which they themselves may have participated in. 

• How did you attract/address your audience?

The style and colours should attract attention from any audience due to its unusual appearance but only younger people would have much of a care afterwards. Without a price tag I encourage the audience to at least try the magazine and from that point further encourage participation in school life. I addressed the audience in an informal manner and created a rag tag more friendly feel to the magazine as to remain on their level rather than having the magazine appear as a product of the school.

The content of the articles is varied, ranging from music, to school events, but always remains within the cadre of a student’s life.

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

Aside from a small growth of personal skills I have mainly gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the creators of magazines and my familiarity with the creation tools has allowed me to easily identify and relate to the techniques used in professional magazines despite the gap in skill level.