How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The most prominent representation in my magazine is teenagers which reflects

my choice of a teenager as the primary model (Emily) is a teenager. This itself
challenges the genre conventions of the real media products that I studied
because in the two in-depth studied magazines the featured artist was older
however, my magazine features a younger artist. I have chosen to do this
intentionally as the audience for my magazine varies from those I studied slightly
as my primary demographic is younger.
Typically in the media, female teenagers are represented as promiscuous and
undignified or even with poor manners and a lack of self-control. I have
incorporated Levi Strauss idea of the preferred syntagm in order to represent my
model in a way which challenges these two particular stereotypes. For example, I
have chosen to have my model dressed in a way which appears extremely
attractive without being overly promiscuous or sexualised which is something
that will also appeal to the demographic. This is because this targets their need
for self-esteem and belonging according to Maslows Hierarchy of Needs as
teenagers are used to be assumed as troublesome and promiscuous so if they
are being presented in a positive way then this will appeal to that particular need
and desire for acceptance. Likewise, this coincides with the need for social
belonging and interaction as mentioned in the Uses and Gratifications Theory.
The magazine provides a sense of understanding about the targeted
demographic. For example, the background colour is a dark purple, the
connotations of the colour purple are spirituality and integrity as well as
inspiration and originality. I carefully selected this colour background in order to
connote these ideologies to the demographic, as these all inter-link with the
conventions of the genre itself. This refers to Michel Maffesoli as the use of this
colour is very typical of the genre and this decline of individualism helps to avoid
deviation of the audience, which helps to hold a core demographic.
In order to ensure that the targeted demographic in particular is being targeted I
have carefully thought about the content of the production piece. From the
cover-lines and the contents page it can be seen that the magazine is very much
catered towards the youthful demographic as it features extremely well-known
famous artists who fit the genre. In terms of class, as the audience is students,
there is no particular class-specification hence the choice of language as it is
very much open to anyone with the use of Standard English. Nevertheless, as
there is a clear social group, in this case indie and pop-influenced youth, the
particular content has been steered towards this to ensure direct targeting of the
demographic. For example the use of specific genre related jargon, for example
discussing chart positions, touring and personal anecdotes to add an
element of synthetic personalisation which is crucial in engaging this particular
audience. I decided to include both white and pink as part of the primary colour
scheme. This is because white has a classy-feel as well as upholds the
connotations of perfection, this very much reflects the primary image as the
model is shown as being flawless and perfect. In terms of the colour pink, I
partially chose to use this as my primary target demographic is female, however,
the connotations of the colour pink is a sense of calmness and relaxed, which is
the same vibe that the conventions of the genre has, which again helps to
appeal to the targeted demographic.