AS Media AS Media Research Research

Assignment For Assignment For Music Magazines.Music Magazines.

By: Farzana Begum.By: Farzana Begum.

What are the specific codes and conventions of a What are the specific codes and conventions of a magazine?magazine?

A MastheadA Masthead: The title used by known typography to make the readers become familiar with : The title used by known typography to make the readers become familiar with what magazine they are reading.what magazine they are reading.

Main ImageMain Image: image of a leading artist's or band's within the music genre of the magazine, : image of a leading artist's or band's within the music genre of the magazine, to attract audience.to attract audience.

Strap lineStrap line: Seen as an introductory headline below the main title (the masthead), to give : Seen as an introductory headline below the main title (the masthead), to give an insight to the magazine and what it is about.an insight to the magazine and what it is about.

Top and Bottom StripTop and Bottom Strip: These are the strips below and above the magazine that give : These are the strips below and above the magazine that give further information to what may be included in the magazine. Mostly being the interesting further information to what may be included in the magazine. Mostly being the interesting

parts of the magazine.parts of the magazine.

PugPug: ‘The ears of the magazine’, can either be at the top left or/and right-hand corners of the : ‘The ears of the magazine’, can either be at the top left or/and right-hand corners of the front cover. The prices of the paper, the logo are positioned there or even a freebie is front cover. The prices of the paper, the logo are positioned there or even a freebie is

placed there to catch the reader’s eye. When the reader is to open the magazine it is likely placed there to catch the reader’s eye. When the reader is to open the magazine it is likely that they are too see the pug this of which can aware them on the positive aspects inside that they are too see the pug this of which can aware them on the positive aspects inside

the magazine. the magazine.

TagTag: This doesn’t have to be on the front cover but I believe that it makes the magazine more : This doesn’t have to be on the front cover but I believe that it makes the magazine more efficient as the word or phrase is used to engage a reader’s interest in a story by efficient as the word or phrase is used to engage a reader’s interest in a story by

categorising it e.g. ‘Exclusive’, ‘Sensational’, this showing that the magazine has high categorising it e.g. ‘Exclusive’, ‘Sensational’, this showing that the magazine has high compliments.compliments.

Cover linesCover lines:: The essential articles inside the magazine are stated through sell lines, these are The essential articles inside the magazine are stated through sell lines, these are regularly seen at the right hand side of the cover.regularly seen at the right hand side of the cover.

Left Third:Left Third: The left third contains the main feature article (Exclusive interview or ‘Puff The left third contains the main feature article (Exclusive interview or ‘Puff Piece’), as this is the core part of what may be inside the magazine. It also includes the Piece’), as this is the core part of what may be inside the magazine. It also includes the

main artist or band situated within.main artist or band situated within.

Barcode/Dateline & PriceBarcode/Dateline & Price: A dateline in which the date of publish and the price are : A dateline in which the date of publish and the price are shown, the barcode is just the importance of the retailer.shown, the barcode is just the importance of the retailer.

Key lightKey light:: Usually highlighting the main artist or featured lines, (Coming from the left Usually highlighting the main artist or featured lines, (Coming from the left hand side onto the right).hand side onto the right).

Masthead (VIBE) – Bold, catchy, short

They use big capital letters to catch the readers eye. Chris Brown’s

head is covering half of the word but the audience still know what it says because the

company/ brand is so popular.

Main image –Chris brown posing with an orange top to stand out and look bright.

It’s a mid shot because the picture is taken up to his waist..

You can tell what genre the magazine is by looking at the main image and

how the person is dressed.

Strap line - Some magazines don’t have strap lines

but most music magazine.. It’s a introduction

about what the magazine is about. So its must be short, direct and something that every age group

can understand and read.

Tag –Doesn’t always be on the

front cover but it makes the cover efficient as the word or phrase

is used to engage a reader’s interest in a story by categorising it

this showing that the magazine has high compliments.

Cover lines – The cover line helps the audience know what the magazine and what it is about

and they will know what inside the magazine just by looking at the cover line.

Barcode/Dateline & Price –A dateline in which the date of

publish and the price are shown so the readers knows how much the

magazine cost, the barcode is just the importance of the retailer.

Colour scheme – The colour scheme is usually 3 colour to make the magazine stand out but not too colourful, in this magazine the colours

are white, green and red. They represent hip-hop and easy for the audience to remember, and so when its on the shelf its catches the readers eye easily.

Music Magazine Front Cover - 1

Music Magazine Contents Page - 1Music Magazine Contents Page - 1

Topics –

The use of topics puts each piece of content into easier and clearer categories, making the magazine make sense

and clearer. The images used on the contents page feature a band and gives and idea of

what genre the magazine is. The

colours used on the topic has a good

combination of black and red which goes with

the music genre.

Background, Colour & Font –

The font, colours are all the same type but used in a different unique way in the subheading there is a much bolder font to make it stand out. On the topics the use of

colour is red and black which gives the

magazine a bold, but effective way of

presenting their pieces. The layout is also

simple, it give a clear understanding to the

readers.

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Music Magazine Double Page Spread - 1- 1

The double paged spread - On the first page of the double page spread, at the top there is many pictures in the effect of black and white of a leading artist this is to let the readers

know who they are reading about. There is also of a story about the latest gossip or information in columns about the leading artist underneath the images. The second page of

the double page spread has the story of the main feature. The big writing captures the eye of the audience, as well as the crafty phrasing, they have written the heading in big, blue and

grey writing so bringing familiarity to the audience reading. The copy is laid out in four to five columns. At the bottom of the second page they have also included pictures of objects in

relation to the style of the magazine.

Masthead (NME) –

Always red and in capitals letters for the audience to remember

and stand for New Musical Express.By the company name the

audience can tell that what genre the music magazine is.

NME normally do same type which is rock but different bands.

Main image –

Attracts the readers attention on as he is holding a guitar and it is a

mid shot which is taken from the waist. The main image helps and encourages

the reader to buy and look at the magazine.

Left third –

The left third contains the mainfeature article

(Exclusive interview or ‘Puff Piece’), as this is the core part of what may be inside the magazine. It also includes

the main artist or band situated within.

Layout –

The overall layout stands out and is bright to catch the audiences eye. Its works better with dark backgrounds and bold writing to make the

whole front cover look successful. The overlapping layers adds to the results ofencouraging people to buy the magazine.

Colour scheme –

The colour red, white & black Represents the genre of rock music;

With the colour red & white, They haveMade the masthead and heading bold

To make it stand out and easier to read.Background; is black with a light coming

from a window, this shows the person is on the stage performing,

which is also to do with music.

Cover line –

The essential articles inside the magazine. Such as ‘the

enemy come home’ This shows the main topic is

about the rivalry between two music bands, and this is used to grab the audience is

attention.

Music Magazine Front Cover - 2

Music Magazine Contents Page - 2Music Magazine Contents Page - 2Masthead –

The use of the ‘NME’ logo in big bold red text on the right hand corner. The gives the

reader constant reminders of the company leading the

magazine and the resource to research the company on the

internet,Font & Colour –

The font, colours and house style are all the same type which gives the magazine a bold, but

effective way of presenting their pieces. The layout is also very

similar which gives the magazine structure and the reader’s a clear

understanding of where to find what article or piece.

Topics –

The use of topics puts each piece of content into easier and clearer categories, making the magazine make sense

and clearer. The images used on the contents page feature a band

making the magazine an even greater prospect as

the audience will feel more engaged and want

to read the magazine more with music bands

like Oasis on the contents.Target Audience -

The audience targeted for this magazine is very clear

and obviously doesn’t relate to social groups who like

gardening or ‘UK garage’ for example. It has specifically targeted people who enjoy

rock and indie music through the use of an Oasis

member and features on bands, such as, Arctic

Monkeys.

Structure –

The basic magazine structure consists of a ‘taster article’ on the contents page giving prospective buyers an insight into the content on the magazine. The sub-headings are clear and precise and show you very easily where you can access that content in the magazine. The band index gives the reader and precise showing of what bands will be in the magazine. This may give the readers more purpose to buy the magazine as maybe there could be a

feature on their favorite band.

Music Magazine Double Paged Music Magazine Double Paged

Spread - 2Spread - 2

One of the double page spread is filled with an image showing the band with a natural pose sitting down quiet cheerful which reflects the mood of the article. The heading is bold in capital letters in black with blue background to make it

standout. The main article is in two columns about the main artist and the band and their music, on the right hand side there's another column will lots of

information.

Overall layout –

the overall layout suggests that the

magazine is about rock, also Cheryl Cole is

wearing dark gothic clothes and is says “3 words . Cheryl Cole ROCKS". this helps

promote her song “3 Words" in one simple

sentence and therefore more people will buy

the magazine and listen to the song.

Colour scheme –

the main colour schemes are red,

white and black, these colours are repeated

and used in every “Q” Magazine, this

repetition of the colours helps the

reader recognise when the magazine is in the

shelf.

Masthead (Q) -Big, one word letter. Very short but very

powerful. It big capital letters to catch the readers eye. Red

background in white letters to make it

stand out.

Main Image & Background –

Big, close up/mid shot of the image of

Cheryl Cole because you can only see up

to her shoulders. Attracts the reader attention directly of how the picture is

taken. The background helps the

picture stand out more because it looks like raindrops falling on her. Which is very effective to use of a music front cover

Music Magazine Contents Page - 3Music Magazine Contents Page - 3This contents page is

spread across one page. Again it consists with the

house style used in Q . And the red colour also gains

the readers attention. Unlike NME, this magazine

has one image of main band or artists. This is

used to interest the reader even more and allows them to know what the article is about without

even reading it.

The largest image covers half the contents page, this is to let the

readers know the importance, however the smaller images are the

cover lines of the contents page. There's a

page number and description below every topic on the left hand side of the page the

numbers are in large red font relevant to the style of the Q logo below the

features section is a small section labelled in

“every month” which has the same layout as

the “features” with black font and red numbers.

The Q review is also present in this content page but this time its a light blue background which fits well with the text which is a change

from the red colour from the previous also features are white header on black

background with the logo.