Research into Codes & Conventions of Music Magazines

By Justine Mason

Top line/ top strip advertises what is inside attracts specific audience (fans of artists listed). Blue background stands out attracts people.

Masthead blocks capitals - bright pink sans serif font modernises and emphasises lettering - stands out against plain background. Swirly font connotes femininity connects with target audience. Slug in-house logo easily recognisable easy to recognise music genre Alignment pulls text forward stands out.

Cover lines added images and different fonts more visual relates to younger target audience. Main colour scheme white, pink, turquoise feminine and girly young.

Cover line attract reader female gaze sex appeal female target audience. Sans serif font, exclamations and abbreviation modern - less formal colloquial targeted at younger

audience. Cover line/ pug stands out from background Serif font formal serious bold quotation stands out Cover line/ pug use of second person pronoun connects to audience. Doesnt just look at music attracting larger audience. Tag Wow! larger font - attracts readers attention shows high compliments of magazine. Main cover line/ pug boosts and exaggerates main feature. Main image - medium close-up shot of globally famous artist attract wide audience. Direct mode of address connects artist and audience personal relationships uses and gratifications theory. Largest cover line attracts reader eyes drawn to it. Bar code, date line, price, issue number individualises the magazine. Pink and black background emphasises words stands out against main image. Pull quote - capital letters and bold font emphasises key words.

Banner inside the mag alternative to contents breaks down conventions of typical contents page simplistic language and abbreviations young reader. Pug bright pink stands out.

Sub headings sans-serif font swirly writing informal young feminine relates to target audience. Bold draws readers eyes to important points.

Font sans-serif informal looped g letter feminine large font and white colour stands out against backdrop.

Symbols more visual for reader- young female target audience.

Magazine cover image arrows and page numbers show exactly where specific article is simple and clear layout for younger reader.

Images pop artists and fashion items feminine more visual for reader relates to young target audience attracts larger audience. Direct mode of address connects artist and audience personal relationships uses and gratifications theory.

Page numbers large font bright pink - stands out feminine. Key numbers and main cover-lines highlighted in bright yellow stands out signifies youth and happiness. Mode of address informal and colloquial basic and simple language relates to young target audience.

Rule of thirds professional and organised arrangement follows normal conventions.

House style bright pink and yellow colour scheme creates positive atmosphere for reader feminine.

Title pull quote - serif font - largest lettering on page stands out Red and black lettering relates to colour scheme stands out against background.

Tag engages readers interest unique story must read.

Main image - direct mode of address connects artist and audience personal relationships uses and gratifications theory. Large size takes up half of page most important stands out. Mise en scene plain white background image and words stands out black and red clothing relates to colour scheme of page.

Subheading/ Stand first red background relates to colour scheme - text stands out - encourages viewer to read first introduces and summarises article.

Sub-image makes page more visual gives further insight into article. Mise en scene - red hat and black top relates to colour scheme.

Colloquial mode of address informal humorous - relates to younger target audience.

Caption - explains image gives inside peak of image red background stands out relates to colour scheme.

Pug red background - stands out separate from article. Article serif font professional finish - questions in red font divided into three columns - clear and easy to follow relates to younger target audience. Rule of thirds organized and easy to follow younger audience. Advertisement promoting artists music and website promoting Radio 1 synergy (?) Serif and sans-serif fonts more visual added images younger target audience. Alliteration catchy draws readers focus.

Top line yellow, block-capital font stands out against dark background advertising conference. Exclamation informal relates to target audience.

Masthead large, sans-serif font informal close kerning modern - easy to read relates to teenage/young adult target audience. White font stands out against dark background easy to read. Red and light green circles iconic in-house style easy to recognise gender neutral colours appealing to larger audience. Situated in top third first thing the audience will read typical convention of magazines . Layered behind image suggests well-known and reputable magazine brings image forward. Main image medium close-up of Rihanna world famous artist - attract large audience young and current relate to young adult/teenage target audience interested in current music. Positioning of model seductive pose and facial expression Mulveys male gaze red hair , lipstick and gun tattoo visible connotes danger and passion. Direct mode of address connects artist and audience personal relationships uses and gratifications theory. Layering - image over masthead suggests importance of image main focus of magazine.

Cover lines laid out in margin in left third less cluttered - orderly and clear to read. White font and cream/nude pug stands out against dark background clearer to read.

Main colour scheme red, black, white and cream/nude contrasting colours stands out. Connotes passion and intimacy Mulvey's male gaze.

Main cover line white gradient stands out against dark background modern and different attract audience.

Bar code, date line, price, issue number individualises the magazine promotes website.

Pull quote sans-serif, capital font stands out. Ambiguous makes audience want to read exclusive.

Heading bold, black capital font serious - stands out. Situated at top of page following normal conventions of contents page.

Slug reminds audience what magazine they're reading.

Copy chart list appeal to target audience who are interested in current chart music. Layout takes up right third of page large stands out important part of the page. Grey pug stands out from rest of page. Heading same font as contents heading following house-style large font stands out from rest of page - easy for reader to recognise what it is.

Sub-images more visual and interesting to look at - all different artists wide genre of music appeals to larger audience. White page numbers stand out against dark image reader can clearly locate articles within magazine. Main image medium close-up shot - dressed in black and grey stands out against plain background. Direct mode of address connects artist and audience personal relationships uses and gratifications theory. Copy simple, legible to read relate to young adult audience/teenage target audience. Blue underline highlights key features and numbers clear for reader to locate. Layout split into three separate sections - professional and organised arrangement clear to read and follow.

Sub-headings bright yellow bold capital font - stands out against dark grey pug.
Multi-coloured border around numbers draws attention to important page numbers in article clear and easy for reader to locate.

Mode of address moderately colloquial appeal to young adult/teenage target audience humorous but professional and sophisticated more mature than TOTP magazine. Colour scheme white, blue, black simple, minimalistic gender-neutral colours suitable for wide range of audience.

Background large letter J reader immediately knows who article is about makes copy more interesting. Red serif font stands out against white background sophisticated. Plain white background typical house-style ensures focus is on text and images.

Tag Most exciting shows high compliments of artist makes audience want to read on.

Main image medium close-up shot slight low angle connotes power Jay-Z shown as role model. World famous artist current music relates to young adult/teenage target audience interested in current music. Red, Chiaroscuro lighting relates to colour scheme connotes danger emphasised by artists stern, serious expression in control. Dark clothing relates to colour scheme shades and jewellery stereotypical at attire of rap artists artists trademark. Direct mode of address connects artist and audience personal relationships uses and gratifications theory.

Copy black, serif font formal sophisticated relates to young adult/teenage target audience able to clearly read on top of background letter. Small font suggests image is main focus typical convention of Q magazine image focused. Drop capitals breaks up text more interesting for reader.

Drop quote red font stands out against dark image emphasises important quote in interview.

Colour scheme black, white and red sophisticated and mature relates to young adult/teenage audience connotes fire and hot symbolises hot new artist.

Arrangement two columns make page less cluttered professional and orderly easy to read and follow.