Main Task- Research: Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions of a Music Magazine Front Cover

Title
o Usually one word or letter long
o Positioned in the top left of the cover and is the full width of the page
o Has a unique font
o Is the largest text on the cover

One Main Image
o Usually a band or singer
o Usually is a medium close up
o The picture conveys an attitude
o Direct address – Looking at the reader

Main Cover line
o Anchors the meaning of the main image
o It’s the largest cover line on the page
o It is usually two lines, For example GlastonburyReborn

Other Cover lines
o Two or three words – Few words as possible
o Information about the contents of the magazine
o Used to tease and intrigue the audience
o Cover lines not always straight forward

Typography
o Consistent
o Only few font are used
o Either Serif (with hooks) e.g. Times New Roman, or Sans(without hooks) e.g. Arial

Other Codes and Conventions
o Positioning Statement, by the title
o Masthead which is the issue date, price and date
o Puff, something for nothing usually free for the customer e.g. Poster Book
o Barcode, on the front because adverts feature on back page
o Colour Scheme, Few colours and simple
o Buzzwords, e.g. Exclusive
o Strip at bottom or top, list of names, bands, topics that feature in the magazine
oSmaller images of artists
oSophisticated images and layout
oPhotography much more creative

Codes and Conventions of a Music Magazine Contents Page

o Use of Headings to divide up contents
o Editorial Letter Picture and signature
o One large image and smaller images
o Consistent Colour scheme
o Page numbers on pictures anchors image to written contento Laid out in two or three columns
o Subscription details
o White Background
o Title of Magazine is Repeated
o Issue date
o Word ‘Contents’
o Page number, followed by Title of article and sub line which is smaller text about the article
o Regular Content- features every issue
o Features- once only article
o Bottom of page- Page number, title ,issue date and website addresso Contact details- address and phone number
oCreative Photography
oColour Scheme

Codes and conventions of a double page spread


o Picture takes up whole page or more

o Pictures often bleed across from one page to the other


o Headlines are across both pages

o Strap line or border is used to bleed across the double page spread witch links the pages together


o Drop Capital at the start of the article- so you know were to start reading, they are sometimes in bold type or bigger size text

o More than one image


o Smaller image or quotes are used in the article to break up the text and make it more appealing to read

o Quotes are sometimes used on main images – links photo to text


o Byline- who the article was wrote by e.g. The Journalist usually positioned in or by the Standfirst or at end of article

o Photographer also credited

o Standfirst
- Introduces the article
- Always by headline and before the start of the article
- Larger front that the rest of the article
- Works with the headline to tell the reader what the article is about

o Headlines
- Creative and eye catching

o Names are picked out and highlighted e.g. Artist

o Page number, title of the magazine , issue date and often website are usually at the bottom of the page
- The title is usually in the same font

o Colour Scheme
- Limited use of colour

o Laid out in columns usually 3 or 4
Strapline – heading/ tab (for example, VIP, Q&A or New Albums!)

o Creative photos

o Writing
- In paragraphs
- Informal
- The personality of the writer often comes out in the article including their personal opinions