Codes and Conventions

Task 6

Codes and Conventions of a magazine front cover

· The title is always one word or letter long, and is the width of the full page.
· Title is always situated in the top left hand corner of the page where the audience begins to read.
· Barcode is kept in the bottom right hand corner, because a paid for advert is on the back page.
· Statements are one line long and above the title across the top of the page.
· All have a plus list of what is contained inside.
· Prices are shown on cover.
· Puffs - freebies included, something extra; gives value for money.
· The title is a unique font, and the largest text on the cover.
· Consistent colour scheme, only few colours used.
· One main image, medium close up of usually a band or singer - image slightly covers title, never title covering main image.
· People on the main image are never smiling - shows attitude.
· Direct address – main image taken so that the person/people are looking at the reader.
· Cover line (main cover line) – always text that goes with the picture. Anchors the meaning of the main image, which is the largest on the page.
· In most cases the main cover line will be two lines long.
· Cover lines are usually two or three lines, showing information about the contents to intrigue the audience and provoke interest. It is kept to as few words as possible.
· Connotations of the front cover reflect the target audience and subject of the magazine.
· Cover lines frame the main image.
· Positioning statement is always positioned either above or below the title.
· Most cover lines are on the left hand side of the cover.
· Title, Positioning Statement, Date, Price – Masthead · Buzzwords – exclusives, inside peek to magazine.
· Strip at the bottom of the cover – gives a list of names, bands and topics included.
· Typography is consistent throughout. Only a few fonts are used. Two types of font - SERIF (Hook) T, a (Most commonly used and traditional) SANS SERIF (Without Hook) T, a (Youthful looking)


Codes and Conventions of a Contents Page(s)

· Editors letter (Editorial included with a picture of the editor and signature).
· Pictures of contents with page numbers.
· Magazine title is placed in the tip left hand corner.
· Main image is alongside smaller images.
· Subscriptions included.
· Date and Issue numbers shown.
· Index list.
· Headings to divide up contents.
· Consistent colour scheme, only a few colours used.
· Page numbers shown on the pictures anchor image to written contents.
· Laid out into around two or three columns.
· Plain/white backgrounds.
· Word “Contents” at the top of the page.
· Page number and then text arrangement.
· Text (one or two words, mainline – bold, slightly larger than the other text).
· Sub line – smaller text.
· Regular content – appears in every single issue of the magazine.
· Features – one off articles which appear only in the one issue.
· Same font used as on the front page.
· Bottom of page – page number, title, issue date, website.
· Contact details, website address.
· NME Magazine contents arrangement differs for bands index, as it is a weekly magazine, so band index is shown as band/artist title then page number – shows what page each artist review is on, makes it easier.


Codes and Conventions of a double page spread

• All start with a drop capital
• There is a summary of the article at the top of the page
• Bands names are in different colours
• Date of the article
• Limited amount of colours used (Black or white text)
• Editors name. Photographers name (credit) and Author – Journalists name can be included in the introduction, above or the end, whereas the position of the Byline varies.
• Access to further details (websites)
• Main image normally takes up most of the page
• Quotes on pictures are different sized texts, linking image with text
• Few if any smaller images
• Pictures often bleed across from one page to the other (Headline and Borders are also usually across two pages)
• Strapline or border often used to bleed across the Double Page Spread – links it all together creating a coherent design across the page.
• Drop Capitals used, shows where to start reading and draws the audience in
• First paragraph in a slightly larger font than the rest of the text, also border
• Smaller images used to break up text, making it more inviting for the audience to read. (e.g. Panels, boxes and quotes)
• By-line usually positioned in or by the standfirst or at the end of the article
• Photographer is credited
• Introduction – Standfirst (larger than actual title) stands first in layout, always by headline and before start of article, introducing article) Design feature helps to break up the layout, works with the headline to tell the reader what the article is about.
• Headlines are creative and eye catching, but do not tell the story
• Artists names picked out – Highlighted
• Magazine title at the bottom of the page along with the page number and issue date (Title font identical to front cover)
• Laid out into columns, usually 3 or 4
• Page number, Magazine title, issue date and website address at the bottom of the page
• Strapline – heading/tab
• Using quotes in articles breaks up the layout
• Creative use of photography
• Informal style of writing revealing the personality of the journalist, which is shown through the text in the article, sometimes including their own opinions.