Codes & Conventions Of A Music Magazine Front Cover

Jack Fell

Masthead

Mastheads are always used on magazine covers, they are the title of a magazine.

They are usually positioned at the top of the page, mostly in the centre of the page.

The name typically relates to the genre of music for the magazine.

The font used on the masthead is always unique, the same font isn’t used again in the magazine at all.

The masthead has its own unique font. Main image overlaps the masthead, suggests that ‘Go’ is a well known magazine.

Main Image

The Main Image is typically a medium close up and usually positioned in the centre of the page. They are always the biggest thing on the cover.

The masthead and cover lines always overlaps the main image.

The main image is almost always a music artist or band.

The main image always relates to a section of the magazine, the person on the front is always in the magazine itself.

Jay Z is the main image of this music magazine cover. He is the largest thing on the page. On this cover, he overlaps the masthead. Positioned quite centrally. Medium close up.

Colour Scheme

Every magazine cover stands by some colour scheme. The typical heavy metal based magazine cover’s colour scheme will usually be different to a soft rock magazine covers colour scheme. Therefore the colour scheme relates to the genre of the music magazine.

The masthead and cover lines may be the same colour over a different coloured background.

The colour scheme makes the main image and writing stand out. The main colours used are pink and black. Pink appeals more to women, which is the target audience of this magazine.

Cover Lines

They are positioned around the main image and to each sides of the magazine cover.

They often match the colour of the masthead.

They tell the viewers what is included inside the magazine, so they must sound appealing and be short but interesting to attract any viewers.

The main cover lines are typically the second largest section of writing on the page. They are bigger than the less important cover lines.

These are examples of cover lines used. This cover uses several which gives insight to the inside of the issue.

Background

Always relates to the colour scheme. Usually a blank colour like white or black

to make the writing and image stand out on the cover page.

This background colour is the typical plain white on this cover. It relates to the colour scheme as they use colours like red, black and grey for the writing. The white makes the writing and the image stand out well.

Positioning Statement

Gives an insight to what is inside the magazine.

Tells you about the magazine place in the market.

This is like the typical positioning statement, this one says about the actual magazine.

Banners

Banners are typically positioned at the top of the cover page, on top of the masthead.

They are a different colour to the background but blend in with the colour scheme.

They contain a short sentence advertising something extra in the magazine issue.

This banner is like the typical magazine banner. This one advertises an exclusive interview with an artist and positioned above the masthead.

Font

Every magazine cover sticks to a specific font.

The font for the masthead is never used again in the same magazine.

The font relates to what genre of music the magazine is.

The font used for the cover lines is simple and easy to read.

This masthead’s font is different to the other fonts used on this page.

Barcode/Price/Date/Issue

Usually hidden or out of the way on a magazine cover as they don’t mean too much.

The price is sometimes hidden in a corner if they think it is quite costly. They like to hide the price so it isn’t the first thing a viewer see’s.

The barcode is often in the bottom right or left corner.

The Date and issue is also usually kept hidden and small over the background.The Barcode, date and

price are all hidden in the bottom left of the cover. This is like a typical front cover

Splash/Puff

A splash/puff is an incentive which is placed on the cover to make something stand out. Usually is text inside of a shape.

Don’t feature on every magazine, not that common.

This splash is used to advertise a competition which features inside the magazine. Competition is related to music.

Sub - Images

Sub – images are images used on a cover that aren’t as important as the main image but still represent something that features inside the magazine.

Very uncommon Typically the image will be of a recent

magazine. If not then it is vary unusual for a magazine cover. They feature a lot on contents pages.

Multiple sub – images are used on this cover. One is advertising recent magazines from ‘Kerrang!’ and the other sub images are of other rock stars.

Incentives

These are a separate way of persuading people to buy their magazine.

A typical incentive would be using an extra free item like a CD or a poster.

The ‘free …’ is the incentive on this magazine cover.

Mise – en - scene

The face expression of the person on the main image must relate to the genre of the magazine, the clothing used must also be relevant.

On a music magazine, they may use props like musical instruments to represent the genre of the magazine.

On this cover, the artist for the main image is clearly screaming down a microphone which represents the genre of the magazine, which is rock – ‘Kerrang’.

Quotes

Used as cover lines but quoted from an artist from the genre which the magazine is based around.

Positioned on the side of a magazine like a cover line.

Here is an example of a quote being used from Cheryl, who is the main image.

Buzz Words

These are usually on the front cover near sub - headings. They are in bold or in bright shapes/colours to attract the consumers eye. The buzz words are used to promote sales typically.

E.g. ‘Free’ ‘Plus’ ‘Exclusive’

Musical Iconography

Props that represent the genre of the music which the magazine is based around.

Ed Sheeran and his guitar shows the musical iconography on this cover page.