Codes And Conventions

Contents Page

Billboard Common Codes and Conventions• All of Billboard Magazines contents pages follow the same layout, but with different images and text in each varied issue.

Again like the front cover, this is very memorable and recognizable and readers can automatically identify it is Billboard magazine.

• The magazines logo is present at the top of the screen, this is an example of brand awareness and reader gets more familiar with the brand.

• The Billboard music chart is updated with each issue. It has its own column unlike other magazines which don’t feature a chart at all. This can attract lots of music fans who are interested in current music and they can see how their favourite artists are performing in the charts.

• There are secondary images, this makes it much more visual for the reader. These secondary images usually feature more known artists, which draws the readers attention to them. The pictures have the page numbers clearly labelled in the corner, this helps navigate the reader.

• There are subheadings which is used to break up the text and help the reader navigate round the page. This is really helpful if a reader buys the magazine for a particular artist.

Sidebar – Current music in the charts. Although it doesn’t really follow the house style, it is a constant and unique features which is recognizable with the magazine.

This part advertises other parts of the magazine, along with following house style.

Date – Tells you how current the issue is.

Masthead – Billboard logo in the top left. Issue number also helps with telling you how up to date it is. Contents page tells you what's on each page for easy navigation.

3 Smaller Images – These frame the top of page. They show 3 different genres, artists name and page numbers inform you where to go.

Main image – Mid shot with direct mode of address through eye contact. This helps create a personal relationship with the reader. They colour scheme of grey black and white makes it very professional. Artist is labelled and shows where to find him.

Sub categories – These help with navigation around the magazine as well as keeping with the house style. There are 4 distinct sections which are easily identifiable.

Clash Common Codes and Conventions• Clash magazine has a very boxy and simple contents page, which

makes it aesthetically pleasing and organised so the reader knows how to navigate round the magazine easily.• The contents page has an unconventional layout, however it till does

follow simple conventions as the page is split into sub headings and has page numbers, which help with reader navigation.

2 Images on the contents page, which are the last and current issues front cover.

Page numbers clearly stated, this helps the reader navigate around the magazine. A very common convention, almost in all magazines.

Quite a lot of information for a contents page, audience may find this dull to read.

There are quite a few different fonts throughout the page.

There is a very simple layout which makes it easy for the reader to find things.

Simple black and white colour scheme, gives a simplistic vibe to the magazine. Background gives the paper a old and rough look. I personally believe it is dull.

Magazine split into 3 sections, Features, Regulars and Fashion. Makes it easier to find your way around the magazine.

Issue month clearly labeled at the top

Fader Common Codes and Conventions• Fader’s contents pages are very minimalistic. This convention is very unique

to the magazine, as others usually have lots of colour and detail. The contents page is usually in the more bland colours such as black, grey and white.• Their house style is the same throughout all Fader contents pages on various

issues, which like the cover is very recognizable to the reader. The page features 1 main image, issue number and the date with the contents beneath. • Fader has a very unconventional contents page which is very unique. There

isn’t much going on, compared to other magazines which hurdle you with information and colourful images and text. I do like the simplicity of this contents page.

Issue number and date clearly labelled in the top left. Contents is written in a very small font, which is unconventional as in other magazines it usually labelled larger.

Very unique layout compared to other magazines.

The colour scheme is black, white and grey which are very dull colours but although it isn’t very conventional, I feel like it does work and gives the magazine a unique element to it.

Page number and magazine name shown at the bottom of the page. This is a common convention In magazines.

Issue number wrote in the largest font of the whole page at the top, which is quite unique.

Simplistic page with minimal detail, this challenges

Page numbers clearly labeled for easy navigation around the magazine