Set Brief for June 2026 Examination

OCR released the set brief for June 2026 on March 1st.

Details of this are below.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Do not reproduce an existing media product.
• Group productions are not allowed. Others may act in or appear in the production and/or may operate lighting, sound, recording or other equipment under your direction.
• Use original footage, images and/or text within your production.

Requirements of the brief

You work for an independent media production company. You have been given the task of producing the front cover and contents page(s) of the first two editions of a new style magazine* that is being launched by Condé Nast and two pages for the working website for the magazine.

Contents pages should be single pages.

The web pages must promote the new magazine to its target audience and enable fans to interact with the content.

*John Hibbert, the Subject Advisor for Media Studies, has provided the following information about what a 'style magazine' is.

"Style magazines typically have a focus on an area of style such as fashion, beauty, grooming, or interior design.  While a style magazine should have a clear focus on an area of style, they often also include content on related areas.  For example, a style magazine with a focus on fashion may also include some content on celebrity, trends, and popular culture"

Summary of brief requirements

• Statement of Intent (approx. 500 words).

• Style magazine covers and contents pages: Two pages for each of the first two editions (based on choice of single or double page spread).

• Magazine distribution method: Content must be suitable for retail distribution.

• Number of web pages: One homepage and one linked page.

• Cross media production target audience: A primarily 16–25 year old middle and up market audience of style-conscious people.

There must be a clear sense of branding across the two elements of the cross-media production.

Production detail that must be included

The production of the magazine covers and contents pages must include (as a minimum):

• At least four different main images using original photography across the magazine covers and contents pages.

• Editing of magazine covers and contents pages (including photos, text, graphics, typography and layout).

• Written text including elements such as the masthead, main coverline, other coverlines, content plugs, puffs, headlines, captions, subtitles and copy.

• Barcode, date, edition and price information on each front cover.

• A different use of mise-en-scène for each cover.

• At least two models representing at least two different social groups (e.g. as defined by age, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality).

• A call to action pointing readers to the website.

The production of the web pages must include (as a minimum):

• Original audio or audio-visual content appropriate to the online website.

• Use of original images. Each webpage must include at least one image that is different to those used on the other webpage and those produced for the magazine.

• Appropriate conventions of website design, including an original masthead and logo and a menu bar.

• Text introducing the main features of the magazine.

• Working links from the home page to the other page.

• A range of appropriate media language techniques (typography, images, fonts, backgrounds, logos, etc.) as appropriate to the purpose of the website.