CODES AND CONVENTIONS

DOUBLE PAGE SPREADS

Clear divide between the photo and text on the page, although fact that the artists name is mentioned multiple times, the reader can easily associate the two pages with each other.

Blue and purple colour scheme, used multiple times on the page which links it all together.

Medium long shot of artist – standing at a flattering angle. Makes eye contact with the camera which is a common convention used with a lot of magazines I’ve analysed.

Direct mode of address = sense of personal contacts = uses & grats.

Drop cap – used a lot in the double page spreads that I’ve looked at.

Interesting bits of the interview have been picked out and made bigger to attract the reader and make them want to read more.

Page number, magazine name and the date it was published.

If someone was to randomly see the page, they’d know basic info about the magazine and issue.

Artist quote which links with image and outfit.

Red hair and red dress – links the image together.

Lets the reader know who styled the artist, who did her hair and makeup, and who shot the images.

Common codes and conventions for Billboard• Drop caps used in many double page spreads to mark the beginning of a paragraph – has a decorative

element to it and enhances the text.

• Images are usually separated from the text, and sometimes half of the page is just text and the other half is just the image - contrasts to some other magazines that I’ve looked at where the text is placed on the image.

• Basic colour scheme – normally mainly black and white, with an added colour which is chosen depending on the artist and image.

• Pull quotes are used to attract the reader and convince them to read the whole interview.

• Page number, magazine name and the date it was issued is always placed in the bottom left corner.

Clear divide between image and article. Audience can link the image to King Krule because of the front cover and contents page.

Image dominates the double page, and is what the audience would look at at first glance.

A lot of shadowing is used in the image which is typically unconventional as the artist’s face is usually a lot more clear and recognisable although this could illustrate the type of artist / person that King Krule is.

Similar shade of green is used on both the shirt and to highlight the words on the page. This links the image and text together.

Multiple fonts are used – 3 fonts in just 1 sentence.

Drop cap – very common convention in magazines that I’ve looked at.

Artist’s name is written in the boldest, most eye-catching font / size.

Plain background, so that it doesn’t take the attention away from the subject of the photo.

Background colour matches artist’s hair colour – may or may not be intentional.

Neat layout of interview contrasts with the text at the top of the page where the writing is more free and creative.

Decorative element, not necessary but makes the page look more creative.

Skin showing – object to female gaze, a distaff counterpart to male gaze (Mulvey)

Direct mode of address – personal relationship = stats & grats

Common codes and conventions for Clash• Main image is usually separated from the text – it’s usually on the first half of the page and then the text is

on the second half, but the use of colours and tones on both parts of the page link them both together.

• Drop caps are used at the beginning of the text on all of the Clash double page spreads that I’ve looked at – enhances the text.

• 3 fonts are used when the artist’s name is introduced – in the double page spreads that I’ve found, it’s the same fonts, but the words are changed according to the artist being featured.

• Simple black and white colour scheme on the text half of the page – makes the text very easy to read without the reader getting distracted.

• Neat layout of text on the page – in columns.

Artist directly facing the camera, creates direct address which can attract the reader because they can feel more involved. Uses & grats

Simple background, keeps the attention on the artist and the text. Pink is also known as Nicki Minaj’s favourite colour, which is most probably the inspiration behind the background. Her fans will recognise it and appeal to it.

Pink lipstick, same colour as background and ‘Nicki Minaj’ – links page together.

Mise en scene = Artist’s outfit Is very eye-catching, which contrasts to the background. Animal print, can suggest she’s wild or has an animalistic personality. (connotation)

Features a pull quote, which is significantly bigger than the rest of the interview that’s printed on the page.

Editors probably chose the most intriguing quote to feature as the pull quote, done to attract the reader and make them want to read more.

Artist photo partially covers her name, signifies that she is so popular and well known that the audience are able to identify her without her full name being shown.

Text is placed to fit around the image, which indicates that she’s the main focal point.

Artist wearing statement jewellery, which reflects her daring, outgoing personality.

Pink, black and white colour scheme, the colours contrast heavily with each other, which connotes that she is quite a controversial artist.

Black and white contrasts heavily with eachother, and allow the text to stand out easily.

The design balance of this double page spread is informal - in order to give it an exciting, fun look. Even though the text is structured effectively, there is no balance in it and the image is positioned to the right hand side.

Quite informal language suggests teen audience – personal intergrated needs being relatable = uses & grats

Common codes and conventions for NME• NME double page spreads are less consistent than other magazines that I’ve looked at – for example all the

clash double page spreads are split in half with an image on one half and text on the other, however with NME they’re a lot more creative and random.

• A lot of layering is done with text placed over images a lot of the time.

• Image on the pages are generally quite large and eye-catching.

• Drop caps are used at the beginning of each part of text, which is a common convention within all of the double page spreads that I’ve looked at.

• In the Nicki Minaj double page spread, text is placed to fit around the image, which emphasises the importance of the artist compared to the text on the page.

• A lot of pull quotes are used to attract the reader, and are placed in unique places on the page.

• Columns are less formal than other magazines, which reflects the unique aspect of the magazine.