Codes and conventions of magazines

Codes and Conventions of
Magazines

Codes and Conventions of a Front
Cover

Main Image:
. Conventionally a medium close
up
. Direct address between
the image and audience –
creates a personal connection.
. The artists blond hair links to
the colour scheme.
House style:
. Black, white and
yellow
. Artists clothes, hair
and makeup link in
with the house style.
Masthead:
. Goes against normal
conventions as it doesn’t
stand out.
. Conventionally to this
magazine bold colours are
used to fill in letters – allows
flexibility depending on the
main image that is chosen.
. The yellow used links with
the rest of the colour scheme.
Coverlines:
. Goes against conventions as on
this magazine they are on the left
instead of the right.
. Yellow and white font sticks to
the colour scheme.
. Numerous bands show there is a
wide range of information inside.
. Varied font size and colour draws
the audiences attention.
Main coverline:
. Conventionally the artists with the biggest featured
story.
. Conventionally the
largest and boldest font on the cover.

Header:
. White font stands out on the background.
. Bold writing stands out to audience.
House style:
. Red, white and black
. Artists clothes and makeup
link to the house style.
Masthead:
. stands out due to the bright bold
colour and bold lettering
. Red font sticks with colour
scheme
. Dominant – conventionally
easy to recognise.
. Masculine colours appeal
to the male audience.
Drop quote:
. Conventionally linked to the
main coverline.
. Quote from artist featured in
the main article.
Coverlines:
. Conventionally on the right side
of the magazine.
. Numerous bands show there is
a wide range of information
inside.
. Varied font size and colour
draws the audiences attention.
Main coverline:
. Conventionally the artists
with the biggest featured
story.
. Conventionally the
largest and boldest font on
the cover.
. The red font links to the
colour scheme of the
masthead.
Main Image:
. Conventionally a medium
close up
. Direct address between the
image and audience – creates a
personal connection.
. The model is in a seductive
positon – appeals to Mulvey’s
theory of ‘The male gaze’.

Header:
. Conventionally stands out due
to the white text on the black
background. Engages the reader.
. Breaks normal conventions of
straplines being below masthead.
. Italic font on ‘biggest’
emphasises key words.
Coverlines:
. Conventionally on the right side of
the magazine.
. Numerous bands show there is a
wide range of information inside.
. Typography – range of different
sizes, italics and colours make it
visually interesting.
Main coverline
. The main selling
point for this issue.
. Conventionally the largest and
boldest font on the cover.
. Situated at bottom of page goes
against normal conventions.
Masthead:
. Bold contrasting colours
catch reader’s attention.
. Largest font on page
stands out.
. Dominant, easy to recognise
.The simplicity targets a young
adult audience.
Main Image:
. Typically medium close up
. Famous artist to attract a large
audience.
. Bold red lipstick relates to the
colour scheme and connotes
passion.
. Direct address between the
image and audience. Creates a
personal connection.

Codes and Conventions of a
contents page

Logo: Brand awareness.
Logo continues from front
cover so familiarises the
reader with the magazine.
Short descriptions of
pages to entice the
reader.
Simple layout – not
overpowering for the
reader.
Sub categories: Make it
easy for the reader to
navigate round the
magazine.
Main image: The text
frames the main
image which draws
the readers attention.
Main cover lines: The
yellow colour continues
the colour scheme from
the cover. Continues the
magazines identity.

Advertising: The colours used in the advert clash
with the colour scheme therefore making it stand
out to the reader persuading them to subscribe to
the magazine.
Main coverlines:
categorise different
articles to make it easier
for the reader to
navigate the magazine.
Main image: The main image is
bordered by text, drawing the
readers attention. The anchor
text tells the reader
information about the image,
giving them an insight to the
full story.
The image doesn’t look like a
typical photo shoot which
suggests that there is behind
the scenes information/gossip.
Band index: Links to the music
genre of the magazine. It shows
the reader that there’s a lot of
information inside.
The red font sticks to the red
colour scheme and links to the
masthead.
Date showing when
magazine was
published. Informs the
reader.

Text next to main image
‘James Blunt’ lets the
reader know who the
main image is of, also
what the main article is
Main Coverlines: about.
Larger font is used so that
the coverines stand out to
the audience.
Page numbers are red which
links to the colour scheme
and also makes it easy for
the reader to navigate the
magazine.
Main image: Direct mode
of address, creates a
personal relationship
with the audience.
Attracts people to buy
the magazine.
Logo continues from
front cover so familiarises
the reader with the
magazine.
Masthead:
Stands out to the reader. Sticks with
the colour scheme of black and red.
Date showing when
magazine was
published. Informs the
reader.

Codes and Conventions of a
double page spread

Red font used to
highlight
important parts
of the text like
the artists name
‘Lily Allen’. The
red reinforces
the red in the
colour scheme.
Main image breaks
conventions as it is
on the right side of
the article.
Direct mode of
address creates
a personal
relationship
with the
audience.
Title: Pull quote from the article which
attracts fans.
Fragmented text in with the house style and
the rugged look of the artist.
Text goes against conventions
as it is in four columns.
The text takes up most of the
page rather than the image.
Main image: Artists clothes link to the
house style; red and black. Baggy shirt
and messy hair gives the impression she
is edgy and young which attracts a
teenage audience.

Image is
conventionally to
the left of the
article.
Medium close-up
and eye contact
with the audience
creates direct
mode of address.
Artists name
reinforces and
links to the
main image.
Brand awareness:
Black and White image
shows her as being wealthy.
Also the black, white and red
colours anchor the genre of
Q magazine.
The bright red ‘L’ links to
Lady Gaga’s name, also it
fits the red colour scheme.
How the artist has
been positioned and
what she is wearing
conforms to Mulvey’s
theory ‘The male gaze.’
The text is in three
columns which is a
convention for a
music magazine.

Codes and conventions of magazines

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