Codes & Conventions

FRONT COVERS

Rolling stone is a main stream pop/rock magazine that has a large audience and attracts many age groups with a range of genres

The image of Rihanna is a close up shot which is more bold and is eye catching to the reader. The rolling stone magazines normally use medium close ups or close up shots this is so the image is the biggest thing on the page to draw in the audience.

This image will catch the attention of the reader even though Rihanna isn’t looking directly into the camera the angle the shot is taken and the lighting is very eye catching and effective.

The layout of the rolling stone magazine has the text on the outside of the page this is so it doesn’t distract from the image.

Although Rihanna is a young and popular artist and this would generally only appeal to the younger generation the magazine also mentions Billy Joel who is a 70s artist so this isn’t just aimed at the younger generation but all generations.

The headline to introduce Rihanna in this issue isn’t the boldest thing on the cover because the image is so big already a heading isn’t really needed, the smaller writing gives the magazine a more sophisticated

Rolling stone Magazine

Billboard is an international news magazine devoted to music and the music industry and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. Billboard is very popular that is aimed at advertising the most current and favorited artist in the charts.

This magazine front cover is clearly based around usher which is a very popular artist that is well known to the younger generation.

This image of Usher is a medium close up, and is in the optical centre as that is where the eyes hit first.

The font used suits Usher as in the photo he is wearing a crown almost showing that he is royalty, the bold font stands out to the audience.

The colours of the magazine are all connected, the billboard is in purple along with Ushers jumper this makes the white writing stand out more on the page.

the front cover of this billboard magazine is very simple with not much writing this makes the magazine feel more sophisticated and professional, also the main attention is then on the image.

Billboard Magazine

The colour theme on this front cover is black and red these colours stand out on a page which can make the magazine eye catching to the audience.

As the image is of 3 people it is smaller which means there is more room for text this makes the magazine look very busy and full up with information. However, by having too much text can make the magazine look messy and un professional.

As this NME magazine is about The Enemy they have made this the biggest heading on the page to catch the readers attention also by having a interesting text can draw the reader in as they will want to know more and find out what's going on.

The target audience is aimed at the older generation as The Enemy were most popular in2006 this means that they will be most known to an older generation.

The front of the magazine also advertises kings of Leon this band was formed in 2000 this is also showing that the magazine is more appealing to the older generation.

This magazine does not have a barcode on the front page this is not typical for as magazine.

NME stands for new musical express which is a popular magazine that is published weekly which means it is more on the cheep side and inexpensive to produce

NME Magazine

The main image is a mid shot of a rapper Kanye West who has a arm coming over his shoulder holding heart shaped object, this is the only bright coloured object on the page which makes it stand out and daw attention.

The singer is looking directly into the camera with a moody, straight facial expression which can associate with the rebellion and genre of rap music, the heart object can make the reader think hat a women is trying to win over his hear as kayne s a very big artists the audience will want to find out what's going on in his private life.

The masthead is a large letter V which stands for the magazine name Vibe. This is always featured on the vibe magazine contents pages and is positioned in the top half of the magazines which keeps there magazines consistent and professional.

The word contents is in black bold font this makes it stand out on the page and as the word is not in a straight line it makes the page look quirky and original.

The subheading is in a smaller font but is still bold on the page is tells the reader the main areas of interest featured in the magazine.

Vibe Contents

The mid close up of Ariana Grande is the main focus on this page due to the smaller writing and larger image attracts readers.

The singer eyes are looking straight into the camera this indicates a personal feeling and confidence of Grande’s personality, this also draws the readers in.

The contents information is placed on the left hand side of the page this make the page look neat and professional also makes it easy to read.

The word contents is then biggest and boldest part on this page, this is so it is clear to the readers exactly what the page is showing.

The contents information and the title are very similar and they both share the same colour which adds to the casual aesthetic of the magazine page.

The way the numbers go down in chronological order which makes it easier to navigate around the magazine this also gives the magazine a professional feel

Billboard Contents

Double page spread This double page spread is themed around lady Gaga from Q magazine, the large red L takes up the whole page this is the letter that the singers name begins with, this big colourful letter is the only thing in colour on the double page spread so it stands out to the readers. The photo takes up a whole page of the double page spread this image is in black and white this gives the image a more classy and elegant feel. This image of Lady Gaga is very sexual, some could say it I aimed to attract the male eye, as the singer just seems to be wearing just a necklace .On this double page spread there is no title however, the artist name is on the page written as ‘lady’ in small lowercase letters and ‘GAGA’ in capital letters this can be to stand out to the readers but also as this artist can be more noticed by this name.

This double page spread from NME magazine is very different from the Q magazine this layout is very all over and around the two pages. This image of Nicki Minaj is very loud and in the face the clothing is very different and stands out however, the background is also very bright but this is showing off Nicki Minaj personality.On this double page spread there is 3 columns this makes it easier to read as it brakes up all the text. The drop capital at the start of the article shows the reader where to start reading. The headline is usually set at the top of the page and would be of a different size and font to the rest of the article so it stand out.