Codes and conventions

of a Magazine

Codes and convention of a front cover page

One Main image that takes up the whole

page:•Usually the main feature Article.

•Studio photographs usually In medium close-up or mid shot

•Direct address

Title(masthead)•Has, a trademark unique font.•Usually one or two words•Fills the width of the cover, or is in the top leftCorner•Positioning statement-how the magazine positions itself in the market place against the competition.

•Puff- Offer something else to the magazine such as free giveaways

•Buzz words- usually with the main feature article. Used to attract attention e.g “Exclusive, Free, Plus”

•Barcode- This will be positioned at the bottom right, or up the right side. Along with it will sometimes be the date/month of edition, price, website and issue number

•Cover line- lines of text on the cover usually thought up to attract the consumers and get their curiousity about what’s inside the magazine.

• Main coverline - this is the largest text on the cover after the title and it anchors the meaning of the image. Usually a sub line in smaller text giving more information about the article. Other cover lines are usually one or two words with sub lines explaining them. Some are used to intrigue the reader. These must represent the stories inside. There are only 5 or 6 and they are positioned down the sides, framing the image, so the main image is not covered. These are usually in the same font to create a distinctive design.

•Strip- across the top or bottom containing lists of items which feature in the magazine. This conveys the magazine is full of intresting stories and the audience is getting value for money.

•Colour- small amount used with a simple colour scheme adding to the distinctive design

Codes and Conventions of a double spread page

This double page spread has many codes and conventions of a double page spread such as:

• Quote marks from what the band themselves have actually said.

• The image is bleeding on to the other page to make the picture the dominant feature and to attract attention.

• Small information box describing the caption in the photo.

• the logo of the band tells people who cannot recognise the band who they are.

• A separate piece of information giving the reader a brief idea of what the article is about. This is called a stand first.

.... A few more codes and conventions are...

• The article writer often planes his/her name in a small font on the double page spread.

• A drop capital is very popular with magazines and is used to tell the reader where to start reading from. There can be more than 1 drop capital in a article.

• Often another photo of the band or artist will be shown among the text.

• facts and upcoming important information about the band/artist.

• Quotations among the writing.

• Rarely the double page spread will begin talking about other artists or events.

• The headline is the biggest text on the page which is usually around 14pts.

• Sometimes there could be a icon of some sort to make it noticeable that it is regular content.