Codes and convention
- 1. Key concepts: Codes and conventions Front cover 1. Masthead Top left aligned Completely across or top left if short. Big unique font Main image can cover title if well known. 2. Images. One main image – well known person e.i band, celebrity. Direct eye address used at audience to engage them (this is what sells the magazine.).Mid shot or a close up is used, or longer shots if the image is a band. The images are mainly posed with a clear background, you will not find text over the facial aspect of the image. Secondary Images- If secondary images are used, they will be used as pugs in corners or part of a banner or footer, these images are rarely central on the magazine and never cover important aspects of main image 3. Colour Scheme • 3 or 4 colours maximum to make it simple. • Primary colours are more popular within music magazines as they do not contrast/clash with one another. 4.Text: Coverlines • Quite ambiguous on purpose to draw audience in. • Always written in capitals to grab attention. • Same font, bold and simple. • These then frame the main image on the magazine. • 5 or 6 coverlines maximum. Main coverline: anchors main image and is larger font than other coverlines. Sublines give more information to the coverlines, although do not always give the story away. 5. Text- Smaller subsidiary images are used to link to other stories inside magazine or other coverlines.
- 2. Key concepts: Codes and conventions Contents page 1. Issue number- Most of the time positioned in the top left or right corner of the contents page. Normally by the magazine title Issue date- Positioned with the issue number, they are shown together on the front cover and the contents also. 2. Contents- Word is prominent, it lets people know it is actually the contents page where they can find out more details. Written in bold, capitals, also the colour (white) contrasts against the black background. This makes it stand out to the audience. Secondary Images- If secondary images are used, they will be used as pugs in corners or part of a banner or footer, these images are rarely central on the magazine and never cover important aspects of main image 3. Main Image-The main image on the contents page suggests it will be the main, most important story in the magazine. It is usually positioned in the middle or towards the side of the page. It is framed by the rest of the text. Secondary images or multiple images- Differently, some magazines use multiple pictures or secondary images, helping audiences choose what story is interesting, usually used either for less educated audiences or if there is a lot of good articles. 4. Magazine logo or name- Usually in the top left hand corner of the contents page. 5. Category headings-‘in every issue’, ‘regulars’, ‘every month’! This is usually on the left of the page, also the last of the headings, near the bottom of the page. Eg. Subscriptions, puzzles, competitions. Usually in column form, columns are a key code which make it easier for the audience to read and for more information to be on the page. 6. Specials- These are one off interviews or features. It is separate from the other headings so it stands out, as this is an important part of ‘this issues’ magazine. 7. Website-Positioned by the issue number and issue date at the top of the contents page. Allows the audience to get more in formation from there website if needed. 8. Quotes- Sometimes contents pages have quotes from interviews they had done in the magazine. Most of the time they are on the main image, like this one. They are never over the faces of the bands or artists. 9. Extra-Layout-The contents is laid out into 3 or 4 columns, they are to the side of the main image. As if they are framing the image. They never overlap or cover the image. Font-Usually in size 11pt, numbers may be bigger and obviously the ‘contents’ title. Editors letters- Some magazines have messages from the editors who produced the months magazine. These are usually in either of the bottom corners of the contents page. Front cover- In some contents pages they have a small copy of the magazine front cover, they put page numbers in circles to show which story is on which page. This makes it quicker for the audience to locate the page they want.
- 3. Key concepts: Codes and conventions Articles 1. Layout- This will usually be set out in columns with a picture of the main artist. This makes it easy for the reader to navigate and understand what the article is about and what it says. There will usually be a small border on the bottom with the page number and magazine name and/or website. 2. Short introductory paragraphs - This will be about the artist featured within the double page spread and will either be a brief summary of what the article will be about, similar to the contents page, or a summary of the artist themselves. It will typically be over the image of the main artist or at the beginning of the article and will be separated with a bold, capital letter to start it which will be bigger than the text within the rest of the article. 3. Large Heading-This will usually be the name of the artist featured on the double page spread or something short and snappy that the article is about. Usually it will be the artists name as that will enable the magazine to have star power which is a great USP 4. Large images of the main artist or person- This will be the biggest feature on the page and will be a picture of the artist in a shot similar to the front cover and contents page. This image will usually be bold and eye catching so that people flicking through the magazine will be drawn to it and will recognise it instantly from the front cover and contents page. It will either reflect what the article is about or will represent the artist in the way that suits the magazine style and how they want them to be received by their audience 5. Pull quotes- This will be what the magazine would believe is the most exciting/controversial part of the article that will grab their target audience's attention. It will usually give something away about whats in the article or the personality of the artist, that will encourage the audience to buy the magazine to read the full article.