Codes and Conventions of music magazines

Barcode

Title Main image

buzzword

coverlines

Price Date

Website

Issue number

MastheadThe title is usually top left aligned and either goes completely across the top or top leftish if theyare short titles like Q magazine or NME. The fonts are usually big and unique.Images can partially cover the title, but only if the magazine is well known, e.g. Kerrang

The positioning statement is the magazines line of promotion for itself/ethos either above orbelow the title

BarcodeThe barcode is usually at the bottom right of the page and can be both horizontal or vertical.On the barcode could be the price of the magazine, the date it was issued and the website for the magazine. Sometime you can find the number on the barcode too.

Buzzwords

Buzzwords are usually to suggest that it is something special to this magazine E.g. ‘ now’ and ‘exclusive’

ImagesThe main image is usually of a well know person that gives direct address and range from mid

shots or close ups, whereas longer shots are used if theimage is of a band. There is never any texts on any facial aspect of the image and the images are generally posed.The background to the main image is mainly plain to make the image stand out more.There are smaller subsidiary images that link to other stories inside the magazine or other

coverlines

Colour scheme• There is normally 3-4 colours maximum and it is usually a simple colour scheme with primary

colours.

TextMagazine covers usually have coverlines that are quite ambiguous on purpose to draw the reader

in by not telling them much. Coverlines are always written in capitals and are the same font Bold and simple.

Coverlines normally frame the image and the main coverline anchors the main imageThere is usually about 5 to 6 coverlines with 3-4 words on a magazine cover with a subline which

adds detail to the coverline, yet not always making the story clear.

There are only a few fonts used on magazine covers;Serif fontArialOr Times New Roman