Research: Ideology in Magazines

Every media product has an ideology. An ideology is an idea that is pushed by the media producers, and often through the audience, this idea can be dominant (the most common idea an audience member or producer would have) or alternative (an uncommon idea from the producers and the audience members.)

In my magazine I need to look at the ideology's that I want to be pushed or, in some cases, not pushed. First I must look at my artist, then my target audience as well as the ideas I have for costume, house style, other images used etc. In order to show what ideology's I can make prominent through them.

My Artist: I have recently been told that I am no longer using my friend Sarah as my model for the shoot, as she will be more useful to my group for my A2 coursework. Currently I am working with a real singer/ song writer, I have not met her and not heard her sing (I hope she's good) so I can not present any ideology's that I can push with the artist at this time. As my artist is female, however, more girls will be drawn to reading her article, therefore I will not only have to focuss on the representation of my artist and my audience, but I will have to look at my female artist from a critical female audience member's point of view.

My Target Audience: As gender and race are not prominent issues or targets in my magazine, I will try and be equal in using images of male and female artists regardless of race. The age of my target audience will make the ideology's more prominent as in the age range of 14 to 20, this age group could be heavily influence. Ideology's such as "Education is good" and "Drugs are bad" are the basic one's that could heavily influence them. As my artist is a real life singer/song writer in my College, I could make a point of asking her about her education however it seems inappropriate to ask about drugs.

Costume/Colours/House Style: I don't plan on using too many dark colours in my costume or my house style as I feel this will give the magazine darker connotations e.g. Rock Magazine, not light heated. And may offend any of my artists in my magazine as they, usually, come across as lively and bright. The costume I plan on using, for my main featured artist, I will ask her to bring three different outfits to the photo shoots, the two sets will be what she would wear if she was to perform at a gig and another what she feels her most comfortable in. Once I interview my singer/song writer, I will know how to frame shots, which colours will fit her character in the magazine and which ideology's to press.