Analysis of student magazine front cover

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
The front cover of my student magazine is a picture on an iPad with a picture of myself inside of it.  It challenges specific forms and conventions of real magazines within the same genre of my own. Examples of these are: a barcode, coloured mastheads, taglines, bold puffs, a vibrant title, a themed colour and style, an issue number and a focus on the main subject. In a way, I think that the main subject is the most important part on the front cover of a magazine as they are the features which will depend on the reader buying the magazine or not. In this case, my subject is looking off the page at something which is very significant. The reader however does not know this therefore they will want to find out what it is. I used a contrast of black and colour so that the background was still apparent however the subject was clear and bold.
How does your media represent a particualr social groups?
The social group my magazine is targeting is people from varied catogories. Students, unemployed, employed etc. Its difficult to outline a main group of people in society which will read my magazine as the genre is so mainstream. I think that anyone who likes rock music and wants to read the latest news which is happening in the rock world will read my magazine.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The audience for my magazine will be anyone who wants to find out the latest news about their favourite gadgets/school information. I think that the main age range will be between 12-18 as the content which will be on the front cover and inside the magazine will really be aimed at these people. Specific jargon will be used so that my readers can relate to the information and it will also make the magazine far more interesting. (Audience may change due to customer demand) The magazine is also going to be very mainstream as I want it to appeal to a wide range of people.

How did you attract/address your audience?
The USP (unique selling point) of my magazine is the puff which states that the reader can win their school 10 iPads free of charge. The price will also be fairly enticing as the magazine will cost a total of £1.99. This is very cost effective for the reader as the majority of my magazines will include free gifts and exclusive content. I will also have special editions which will cost £2.50 and these will be magazines which fall into certain milestones. My magazine will be one of these special editions as it is the first one. I think I will make the content in my double page spread very exclusive and a one of a kind.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I have learnt that technologies are very important when creating a magazine as you rely on them to make the product look professional yet original. Personally, my favourite editing software is PhotoShop CS5.5 as it comes equiped with a range of features and anyone willing to 'fiddle around' with the software can become very good at using it.