Initial conclusions

From all of the research I have gathered about school magazines and the way that they target their demographics I have drawn together some general conclusions about the design of my magazine and the content that is to be included. This is going to come in the form of flat plans that I will put to my focus group and make the necessary conclusions from that. When looking at my title options and taking into consideration my focus groups opinions I am going to call my magazine KNow as I feel that Aidee and Raees had very valid points about the connotations behind the title and what it would represent to my audience. In terms of content, I have solely relied on my questionnaire results to determine the final decisions as I felt that this would be the best way to appeal to my audience by giving them what they want. Taking this into consideration I have chosen to include content on the following: 

 

-Big School events and trips

-Weekend Buzz

-University news and updates (incl. open days)

-Agony aunt (tips and advice)

-Debate page

-Your shout

-How to pages (Wright the perfect personal statement)

-TV talk

-Book revise

-Film review

-Music review

-Sport review

-Latest gadgets

-Exam guides

-Social Activities

-Horoscopes

-Games

-Competitions 

In regards to the magazine itself I have chosen to look at creating both an online and hand out version of the magazine as although the majority of my audience use the internet on a daily basis some may not have access to this facility and by having an only online version of my magazine I would alienate a section of my audience. Following the guidelines of the brief, I am going to include a mid shot image of a 6th form student on the title page but paying close attention to how I represent this image and the way in which I edit my final image as this will affect the way in which 6th formers view my magazine. However, I really want to challenge the stereotype of school magazines and will look to aim my layout and structure in the same format as commonly read general magazines between my target audiences.  I will achieve this by looking closely at font, colours, representations, language and layout.

It important to me that I manage to achieve what I set out to achieve and I strongly feel that in order to do this I need to focus on really understanding my audience. As a 6th form student myself and from the research I have collected my conclusions about 6th form students in general are that they require brands and products that 'stand out' from the conventions of everyday life. They demand information and stories that will play on their fantasies and obscurities. They like to feel that they aren't being patronised and respected as an audience, but most importantly they demand that their content be designed around their needs and demands as a student and teenager and not be 'bothered' by the information that has little or no impact in their lives or daily routines. 

Research Findings. 

From my research I have found that the main conventions employed by the magazine industry revolve around the concepts of Language and Audience, which are very closely linked together. Magazines rely very closely on the representations and stereotypes within societies to 'sell' their ideas and key features, which are constructed by the media itself and previous products produced by institutions. One could perhaps make the conclusion that the media manipulate and control the thoughts and opinions of the public and in that respect control the way that the world perceives individuals and social groups, which in reality is a very scary thought.