Codes and Conventions of music magazines

Codes and conventions

Codes and conventions are textual elements that recur within a range of texts. These include technical features to do with narrative, representative and audience.

Analysis of cover, contents and double page spread of NME magazine and Q magazine.

Codes and conventions of Q magazine: Front cover: •Logo/Masthead usually big and bold font to catch the attention of a

reader. •The masthead is usually a short word or a few letters, which is easily

recognisable and doesn’t confuse the audience. •The strapline is usually always under the masthead. •Contrasting colours are usually used to catch attention. • The headline is used to reinforce the selling point. In other words,

it is usually put into the largest/biggest font and is frequently accompanied with a pull quote telling something exciting or intriguing about the content’s main story/main article in order to build Hermeneutic Code (Barthes), making the reader want to actually read the article itself.

• The image used for the front cover is usually linked to the headline, and the picture itself is conventionally a medium close-up shot.

• The model used in the picture for the front cover is conventionally looking at the audience in order to establish a personal relationship between the featured model/artist and the reader, (Uses and Gratification Theory).

Codes and conventions of Q magazine: (front cover) The footer is usually made to look eye catching or look like it stands out in order to

give the audience an idea/impression that magazine is filled with a wide range of interesting content that will fulfil the audience’s cognitive needs (Maslow).

The barcode is usually placed at the bottom right alongside with the price which is typically high to show its an upmarket magazine.

The word ‘exclusive’ is used very often in order to make the reader feel like that specific magazine will be the only one to have that specific ‘ important’ and ‘exclusive’ information, which intrigues the reader and pushes the reader to read it.

Sell lines frequently asked Rhetorical questions to once again build Hermeneutic Code.

Puff is usually used to give a flash of info. Every magazine has some type of colour scheme which continues throughout the

magazine, this makes the audience remember the brand of the magazine and they will usually be able to easily recognise it in the future because of this, which means they’re more likely to buy it.

The font is usually kept simple and minimalist. In other words the whole magazine is written in pretty much the same or a similar font throughout.

Colours on front cover are usually plain and the sell lines are in colour to stand out.

Codes and conventions: Contents page- •The title is usually placed at the top, and is put in a

capitals to make it stand out. •The magazine’s personal website or information

may appear under the title in order to increase sales/value.

•The date may appear under the title to indicate which edition it is.

•Subcategories are conventionally positioned around the magazine.

•Title, subcategories are all positioned in harmony to make reading and navigation easier for the reader.

•The biggest image on the contents page is usually relating back to the artist featured on the front cover and its sell line or pull quote.

•The same colour scheme from the front cover is used for the contents page.

Codes and conventions: Contents page- •There are frequently arrows pointing to certain headings or pictures

which encourages the reader to actually open the main magazine itself. •Captions suggest to the reader that the stories that they have come

from are interesting, fulfilling and entertaining. •Usually there is an advert or subscription to make the reader want to

buy the next issue. •The different stories indicate variety and a wide range of stories. •The title of the main article is typically paired with main image. •Smaller articles/titles are used to frame the main image. •Page numbers stay within the brands identity and colours and help the

reader to navigate through the magazine.

Double page spread: • Conventionally a large image is

positioned on the left page and text on the right page.

• The font/title may match the style of the photo e.g. vintage etc.

• A big, capital first letter is used to highlight the beginning of an article.

• Captions or pull quotes are used to draw the reader into the article.

• Text is conventionally arranged into columns.

• Main picture may use direct mode of address to establish a personal relationship between the reader and the person in the picture.

Codes and conventions of NME: ( front cover) •The header bar usually includes multiple band names

to give the reader the impression that there is a variety/wide range of interesting articles for the reader to fulfil their cognitive needs (Maslow)

• The logo or masthead is usually out in a bold and big typography to catch the eye of the audience.

•The main headline or pull quote usually refers to/is linked to the main artist featured on the front cover.

•The shot of the featured artist is typically in either close-up or medium-close up.

•The featured artist is conventionally looking at the audience, in other words, is using Direct Mode of Address (Uses and Gratification Theory) in order to establish a personal relationship with the reader.

Codes and conventions of NME: (front cover)

•The headline is typically made to stand out by being in a big or the biggest font/typography.

•The barcode is conventionally placed at the bottom right hand corner, whereas the date and price are usually situated below the logo or masthead.

•The colour scheme of NME is true to their house colours and identity.

•Sell lines suggest exciting content which builds Hermeneutic Code (Barthes), which encourage the reader to read that specific article.

•Rhetorical questions are used to make the reader want to find out more information concerning the question/topic. (Hermeneutic Code)

•Sell lines are typically positioned on the right side of the magazine and they are used to show the essential/main articles within the magazine.

Codes and conventions: Contents page- •The title/name of magazine usually appears at the top

of the page in contrasting colours to the word ‘ contents’ in order to attract the attention of the reader.

•The text on the contents page continues to match the brand identity and house colours following conventions.

•The main image may create a relationship for the reader so that it actually feels as if you are part of the magazine/ inside the picture.

•Captions give the reader a sense that the stories linked to them will be interesting and entertaining, and will fulfil their cognitive needs (Maslow).

•Typically and advertisement or subscription positioned at the bottom of the page, will appear in contrasting colours so that it stands out, to encourage the reader to purchase the next issue.

Codes and conventions: Contents page- •Arrows are usually used to encourage the reader to turn the

page and find out what is inside. •Page numbers are often used for ease of navigation though

the magazine. •Columns referring to other articles or information within the

magazine, are used to frame the main image. •Contrasting colours are used for the subcategories so that

they stand out and are easier to identify. They are there in order to make navigation easier.

•The date conforms to the conventions as it is positioned under the title.

•Typically, the website address of the magazine will appear below the title, in order to inform the reader about their site.

Codes & conventions: Double page spread: •Typically, the layout consists of a large image on

the left page and text on the right page. •Pull quotes and captions throughout the text are

used to create excitement and curiosity, (Hermeneutic Code, Barthes).

•The first letter is put in capitals at the beginning of the article, which is a common convention of other types of magazines as well.

•Text is typically arranged into three columns. •The artist featured on the double page spread

uses Direct Mode of Address (Uses and Gratification Theory), which encourages the article to be read.

•The image on the double page spread is typically a mid-shot or a medium-close up.

•The font used for the double Page spread is made to suit the featured artist.