Generic Research: Language and Digital Convergence

After looking at and analysing multiple front covers and websites of current affairs magazine I feel much more confident in how to create cross media convergence and what types of features I should include for my magazine and website.

How do media producers use language to communicate meaning?

Example no.1

• This front cover does not really have any intertextuality. The heading of her becoming "America's lighting rod" anchors the serious and professional tone of the image.
• Media producers in the magazine industry use language such as typography, layout, colour palettes, language used (such as headings and subheadings) and images as just a few of the tools they use to communicate meaning with the readers. However each falls into different categories:
• Such as - every image can connote something different and it can be packed with coded messages through intertextuality, shot types, posture of the model, wardrobe of the model, lighting, illustrations surrounding the model
• Looking at example no.1, this front cover is packed with meaning, her wardrobe for example is professional and not distracting in colour nor is it revealing. By not overly sexualising her like most other women models are in magazines, it shows that TIME magazine is supportive of strong and successful women and does not use them for the male gaze
• In this scenario they also use their famous red colour palette to highlight the heading as their masthead is in white and mostly hidden which shows they want the close up (layout of page) of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be the most important thing on the front cover. They also give her a bold red lip which is a reference to their colour palette but also it's  a powerful bold statement lip since the rest of her outfit is monotones. 
• They use a formal mode of address and sans-serif typography connotes a sense of importance and authority. This front cover is very much similar to the other front covers of TIME magazine representing women's achievements and success rather than using their bodies to sell the magazine, this is a really important encoded message the magazine wants to put across.

From TIME article

This is who she is and it's reflective in the tone of the images and photo shoot. Her gaze into a distance connotes her gazing into the bright future of America that she wants to shape.

This is an example for intertextuality, this front cover is
a reference to the viral Baby Yoda meme.

How do producers use digital convergence to link their products?

From my previous posts surrounding current affairs magazines' websites, I listed and point out key examples of cross media/digital convergence. They do this by replicating the same language examples I showed above and cohesively replicating it online to create a great sense of brand identity, such as Time magazine carries on it's red colour palette, sans-serif typography and formal mode of address onto their website. Alongside very similar articles from the print version and the online version with the same use of images and content. Some adding more technology based features such as podcasts to further anchor the article's messages, and/or more images and videos or hyperlinks that take you to another page which expands further on the content in the article. A common theme also was linking their social medias on the articles and all around on the website to promote visiting all the platforms they have content available, which all have more comment boxes and more of a chance of increased audience interaction which is what all the current target demographic want more of. A really good example is also in print versions, such as for The Spectator, they've put the link to their website at the bottom of all the pages to promote their readers to interact with both. In conclusion, all of these examples help companies with cross media convergence and creating a strong sense of brand identity.

Example of brand identity in Time magazine online