Codes and conventions of music magazine front covers.

Mast Head

• Usually top left aligned.• Either goes completely across the top of to the left if too

short.• Big font to make it unique to the rest of the text.• Image partially covers the title of the magazine (only if the

magazine is well known)• Positioning statement -> the magazines line of promotion

for itself/ethos -> above or below the title.

Barcode

• Usually at the bottom right of the page.• Can be horizontal of vertical.• Usually next to price.• Next to; issue number, date and website.

Buzz words

• Used to suggest that there are certain things unique/special with this magazine. Examples are;

• NEW!• EXCLUSIVE!• WOW!

Images

• One main image- usually of a well known person/celebrity.

• Direct address (looking at target audience).• Mid-shot or close-up.• Longer shots used if showing a bad (to fit all of

the band in).• Generally posed.• No text on the facial aspect of the face.

Colour scheme

• 3-4 colours.• Simple and plain colour scheme.• Generally primary colours.• Colours don’t clash.

Text (cover lines)

• Cover lines; Ambiguous on purpose to draw the reader in. Short and ‘snappy’ so the reader does not loose interest. Always written in capital letters. All use a pimple and plain text. Writing frames the main image. Main cover line anchors the main image - larger font that stands out from other cover lines. 5-6 cover lines.

Text (Sub lines)

• Adds information to the cover line, not always making the cover line clear on purpose (to make the target audience buy the magazine to understand the cover lines).

Other text

• The greater the price the smaller it is stated.• The background images stands out more as

the text is usually a different colour.• Smaller subsidiary images which link to the

other stories inside the magazine or other cover lines.

Usual fonts used;

• Serif font; with hooks and flicks.• Sans serif font; plain font.• Times new roman.• Ariel.