codes and conventions

codes and conventions of a music magazine front cover;


1.the title is usually one word or one letter, it is positioned at the top left of the page and full page width, unique font, biggest text on the cover.
2. Bar code on the bottom of front cover. 3. One main image- a band or singer, usually it is a medium close up, conveys attitude, direct address.
4. Main cover line, anchors the meaning of the image and it is the largest on the page.
5. Cover line- main cover line-two lines. Otherwise two or three lines or as few words as possible.
6. Typography-consistent only a few fonts used. Two types of typography serif- hook eg times new roman or sans serif- without hook eg Arial. Connotation of font reflects target audience and subject, frame main image, and left side of the cover.
7. Positioning statement – by the title
8. Issue date
9. Price
10. Puff- giving the reader something extra eg free posters
11. Strip at the bottom of the cover-list of names bands and topics used to tease the audience to see what extra is in the magazine.


codes and conventions of a music content page;


1. Editorial- picture of editor sometimes
2. Person on the front cover isn’t a picture of them in a inside
3. The front cover is on the inside (small image)
4. Few images
5. First line is bold then subheading smaller but not bold
6. The date
7. Puff
8. Issue number
9. Heading to dived up contents
10. One main image
11. Smaller images
12. Colour scheme
13. Page number on pictures to anchor image to written content
14. columns ( 2 or 3)
15. white background
16. title repeated
17. arrangement page number then text the text is one or two words then subtexts
18. regular content – appears in every issue eg gig guide
19. features – appears as a one off in that issue
20. contact details
21. a website at the bottom of the page.


codes and conventions of a Double page spread (DPS);


1. Large quotes at the start of the article

2. Some things highlighted

3. Large image

4. One or two smaller images

5. Large letter to start article – drop capital so that the reader knows were to start reading

6. Quote by the picture

7. First line is bold and in capitals or larger.

8. Usually 2 or 3 colours used

9. Close up pictures

10. Picture takes up one of the two pages

11. Title in capitals

12. Picture often bleeds across the second page

13. More than one image used to break the layout of text and make it more inviting

14. Byline (who the article is by) usually by the stand first is at the start or the end of the article, so that the photographer gets credits.

15. Stand first – intro always by the headline and before the start of the article

16. Artists name are highlighted.

17. Page number with title of magazine, issue date, and website.

18. Limited use of colour

19. Columns

20. Strap line

21. Informal style of writing

22. Personality of the journalist comes through in the article.