Wednesday, 22 September 2010

Codes and Conventions

Today, after being given the outline of our coursework tasks, we worked in groups to discuss the codes and conventions of music magazines. My group was asked to analyse the front cover of MixMag and the contents page of Kerrang. We then discussed it as a class and came up with a list of the codes and conventions for music magazines.

Front Cover
The front cover needs to be able to sell the magazine so uses many different ways to promote itself:
  • Main image- this is the largest image on the page and usually reflects the image/mood of the magazine. Magazines often have the main image looking right at you, this is called direct mode of address.
  • Masthead- this is also known as the title and is found at the top of the front cover, usually in a large font. The typography of the masthead has to reflect the genre of the magazine and has to be unique.
  • Barcode
  • Date and Price- the price of the magazine reflects the content (the magazine will be more expensive if there is more content- due to production value)
  • Colour scheme- the colour scheme also reflects the mood and genre of the magazine.
  • Taglines
  • Positioning statement
  • Buzz words- for example, Plus and Exclusive.
  • Issue number- the issue number shows how established the magazine is.
  • Inserted images- other images tell the reader what will be inside the magazine and often illustrate the coverlines.
  • Promotional buzz words- for example, Free CD.
  • Coverlines- lines of text that show what will be in the magazine.
Contents Page
  • Images- the images used on a contents page will relate to different articles and will also be beside the page number of that particular article.
  • Columns- these columns are also broken into various sections; for example, News and Features.
  • Note from Editor
  • Text- the text found on a contents page is usually no more than 12pt (with the exception of subtitles/ column headings) because they need to fit on as much information as possible.
  • Page numbers- found beside the article name or pictures relating to the article.
  • Large image- there is often one large image used that will reflect the main article/ double page spread.

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