Planning original images

Here is an emaze of my original images that I would like to include in my magazine:

Looking at media theory

Today's lesson was a theory lesson, in which we have explored Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Uses  and Gratifications theory.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

Human behaviour reflects a range of needs, and when one need has been fulfilled the next need emerges. The unsatisfied needs are what motivate our behaviour. Magazines can come into this as we may have a need to be accepted into social groups or for self-esteem/self-respect, therefore we look to the media to find out how to fit in. This theory offers a useful insight into the reasons why we are attracted to certain products and advertisements.

This pyramid explains the theory. It starts from basic needs such as food and water, continuing onto social needs and finally the need to develop all of your potential to the full.

Uses and Gratifications theory:

This theory suggests that audiences actively use media to meet some of the needs identified by Maslow. McQuail, Blumler and Brown defined four major areas.
These are;

• Diversion: an escape from our routine and problems, an emotional release
• Personal relationships: companionship, feeling part of a social group
• Personal identity: exploring our own values, through the comparison of with others' values (e.g. media producers and celebrities)
• Surveillance: the need for a constant supply of information about what is happening in the world.

Mode of address:
This is used to create a bond between the magazine and the audience, however this is done differently depending on what the genre is and who the audience is. For example, words such as taboo language and heavy rock pragmatics would not be right used in a pop magazine.

Key learning points:

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs is important as you can target the audience in the right way, depending on what they want
• You have to make sure the mode of address is correct for your particular audience and genre, otherwise no one will want to buy the magazine
• Looking at the gratifications theory has made me realize how to target certain people in different ways

Planning ideas for music magazine

by livsrose97

I think it is really effective to have something unique and unusual as the key cover photo as this will draw the reader in and make them want to read on. I have found a few examples of unique front covers that have inspired me.

Magazine covers from oliviarxse