How purpose influences product design
see p. 78
What you need to know •
The five main purposes of media products and examples
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How these purposes influence the design of products.
Product design is key to the successful creation of all media products. One of the factors which influences product design is purpose. The five main purposes of media products are: To advertise/promote, for example a web banner to advertise a new product or brand.
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To educate, for example a television programme about a historical event.
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To entertain, for example a comedy film.
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To inform, for example a digital textbook or eBook.
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To influence, for example a charity campaign to encourage donations.
FT
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When a creative team receives a client brief for a media product, they need to work out its purpose. The purpose determines the tone, feel, style of language and the way it is designed.
Entertain • music video • comic • radio quiz show
R
A
Educate • textbook cover • revision website • educational podcast
Colour
Conventions of genre
D
Advertise • bus stop advert • flyer • web banner
Positioning of elements
Inform • instruction booklet • transport safety video • non-fiction eBook
Style of audio representation
Formal/informal language Style of visual representation
Influence • charity campaign • political leaflet • environmental sign
Tone of language
Design style, content and layout are adapted to meet each purpose
Revise it!
Remember it!
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Write all of the purposes on squares of paper and put them face down in front of you. Shuffle them and then pick one. In 30 seconds, write down as many examples of media products with that purpose as you can. Choose one media product from your list and write down how the purpose has influenced that product.
Revision Guide
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There are five main purposes of media products: advertise, educate, entertain, inform, influence. Each purpose influences the media product and the way that it is planned.
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Original material © Cambridge University Press 2022. This material is not final and is subject to further changes prior to publication.
