The reason I chose to do this specific magazine cover on the Simpsons game hit and run was because I used to play this as a child. This game was enjoyable and interactive and I thought that this would be a good game to promote to other children, even though it is an old game it was a hit in its time. It was an award winning game as I specified on my front cover.

Firstly I researched some magazine covers on the internet to see how they were structured and how they were formatted. I targeted PlayStation magazines as this was the main console for The Simpsons game to be played on. This is how I was able to get design ideas for my magazine cover. I went into Publisher as I thought this was the best place to create a front cover. I composed many drafts for the magazine cover. On my first draft I copied the front cover of the hit and run game with the PlayStation title and a blank background. I realized that this hadn’t the colour genre of the Simpsons, therefore I decided to do this completely different.

I moved onto my final draft which is the finished piece. This final piece is the best it can be in terms of colours and the boldness throughout. I immediately wrote PlayStation in big, bold letters to show the reader that it is best played on PlayStation, of course including the original PlayStation logo. As you can see above this, there are other names of consoles that it can be played on. I think this is a nice addition to it as I saw this on many other magazine covers. Moving onto the pink circle which is meant to be seen as a sticker, this shows the reader that this game has an award for being the “fave” game to play. This means that they are going to be persuaded into liking it more. To the far right of that, is the PlayStation controller shapes in bright yellow, this conveys to the reader that it is PlayStation based. Every magazine cover has gaming terminology to show what the game entails. Also it highlights the information on the inside for the reader to feel like they have to open it to find out more. I have executed both of these things, trying to give them hints to open the magazine. This in turn will lead them on (with the use of ellipses) as to what will be revealed inside.

Finally, for the main feature, I have shown a picture of the Simpsons and the title below it. This shows the reader a fraction of what the game entails. I chose the picture as I wanted the whole of the Simpsons family in it as they are the main characters in the game. I also dotted some of the other characters that appear in the game. These were shown as small features to draw the reader in. The title is in a bold colour to show the reader the name of the game. The Simpsons logo is in bright red with the name “Hit and Run” in a white box encompassing it. This gives the effect that it was stamped on. This will appeal to the reader when they first

come to look at the cover. I chose a blue background as this is in reference to the Simpsons sky when you’re introduced into the game.

This magazine cover for “Boys life” defeats the idea of stereotypes for men. The cover challenges society in a way in which men are wearing makeup and wearing a product that is stereotypically designed for men. The magazine also challenges the role of masculinity in society and how people still believe “make-up is just for women” but shown clearly by Jeffree Star and Manny Mua, it isn’t. The question on the magazine “Can you be the next Covergirl?” is also going against society in the way in which men can also be the Covergirl and it is not only for women. The pink background and Jeffree’s pink hair also symbolises the feminity that is being portrayed by males. I chose Jeffree Star and Manny Mua because they are both males who are beauty influences. This is a lifestyle which usually women would take an interest in.  

The version of the boys life magazine i made opposes masculine stereotype, this stereotype shows boys only enjoying action or dangerous situations. I choose a school boy as the main focus of my magazine to show that boys can also enjoy work and school. Showing boys how to enjoy and make the most of school, not only does this break the stereotype but it allows boys to have a successful future. I have also chosen a young impressionable boy to oppose the stereotype of men having to be strong and powerful.

In my Boys Life magazine I wanted to create a positive image that could motivate and influence readers. I decided to use the Google Science Fair winner as my background because it shows how young inventors can be successful and resolve current world problems such as climate change, It can also set an example for readers to follow. It also challenges male stereotypes as it focuses more on studying and science rather than adventures and activities. I then added a subtitle that said “Work Hard”, this was implemented to try and get readers to strive to achieve their goals and targets inside and outside school.

I chose a selection of ‘nerd ‘ and school skills which are useful in the real world. This challenges the stereotype of a masculine boy with the usual imagery of adventure, for a more realistic view that not all boys are in to hiking and sport because many are rather into video games and books. I chose to apply to skills such as social and interview skills which are useful for people who want to do well in jobs rather than how to get a girlfriend. Normally, most societies have a dominant ideology of the rules of men and boys in society, so this mean that boys should be interested in football, girls and cars. However lots of boys aren’t into all these things and that can be looked down upon by society, so this alternate magazine targets those who don’t fit into the societal norms. Also in normal boys’ life magazines, the character is shown in a medium size with context of doing an activity, my cover shows a close up of someones back and head as it focuses on someone as a person, not what someone does.

With my personal attempt at making a Boys’ life magazine, I wanted to oppose the stereotype of a Males exploring and doing dangerous activities by including a Female having fun and doing an extreme sports. This may shock people because you expect a man to be surfing, and not a Female.

I chose the words “Wild”, “free” and “you” because of the freedom and excitement to show and support of opposing to dominant ideology in the sense that, people picture Females staying home, out of danger and doing more practical activities and tasks. The word “you” implies that anyone can do anything and is designed to make the reader feel included and apart of the movement and targeted to feel welcome and motivated. “Free” can also show that you have no limits and you can do anything you want to do and be who you want to be.