Codes and Convention of a Magazine

Codes and conventions of a music magazine

Masthead

The masthead is one of the most important parts of the magazine, as it defines what the magazine is going to be about and what we expect from it. It also gives us a general opinion of what the the content is.

The typography of the masthead is extremely important as it specifies their brand identity .The masthead is almost always located at the top of the Magazine, so that we can see the Main image properly, it is the largest piece of typography on the page.

It is really important where you place the masthead as it is the first thing that attracts the reader. The visual aspects of the masthead is extremely important as the reader would want it to be aesthetically pleasing.

The name also is a big factor as the name sets a certain tone to the rest of the magazine, and tells us about the genre of it. The size and the space between the masthead is essential, as presentation is a big factor.

The masthead could be the single most reason that magazine could turn to be successful or a bust. If your Magazine was called something funny and humorous, your most likely to get a positive response.

Bar code

The bar-code is an institutional convention of a magazine, it is a small image of lines,bars and numbers, every magazine has one. If the magazine is not scanned at the bar code, you cannot the chosen magazine, so it an important institution. If the bar-code not at the bottom of the magazine, shops would refuse to sell it.

Main image

The main image is essential as it ties everything together, without a main image you are most likely to get no sales, the consumer gets attracted to the magazine ultimately buy looking at the image and seeing if they can relate and identify with the model in question. The uses of gratification theory comes in to this as the main model is someone who appeals to the target demographic, the model has to be someone who the audience can relate and identify with. They also have to see the model as an aspiration, or someone they see as a role model. Maslow's hierarchy of needs comes in to this as dreams and aspirations are at the top of the pyramid, each person needs dreams and aspirations to survive. As humans we aspire to be like certain individuals it helps us set ourselves goals. The main image has to be aesthetically pleasing, as presentation is essential.

Tag Line -

A Tag line is essentially a slogan, like E.G ( All the News that's fit to Print) the motto of the New York Times. The tag may come from the idea of a gift tag or price tag which has certain essential information on the product to be given or sold.

Banner -

It is often seen at the top or bottom of the magazine, it is a stripe or a banner of some kind that borders the magazine, it is often a bright colour which juxtaposes the main image, however in some cases they just blend in with the main image.

Buzz words

This is another institutional convention, it makes the magazine look jam-packed and busy, it makes the magazine look more professional and without it the front cover would look plain and boring. The buzz words also give you a small insight of what the magazine contains, it will give you quotes from interview or funny headlines, which gives us the content of the magazine. The typography of the buzz words are bold and big, they are not bigger than the masthead as they do not want to attract attention from it, they are often juxtaposing to the main image, so we can actually see the words.

Brand Logo -

The logo is a small image of some kind, which the company uses to establish a brand identity for themselves, so the reader recognizes who they are and what they do. The logo is often at the top left of the magazine, however this changes according to the magazine. The colours could change according to the edition, it could also change if the magazine are trying to promote/advertise or even if they are supporting a cause.

E.g If the magazine and logo is in Pink – it could be an issue which is trying to raise awareness in breast cancer or it maybe that the magazine itself supports it or funds certain charities.

If the magazine or logo is in green it could be to support awareness to global warming and tell readers to be environmentally friendly.

Special Features / Competitions -

Most magazines try to gain more readers by doing special features and competitions, they might have “WIN” or “ EXCLUSIVE” (Buzz words) at the front. They often put it in capital writing so it attracts the reader. The word exclusive makes the reader think that only the one magazine has the information, and that no other magazine has it. “WIN” is a word that makes the catches the reader's attention straight away.

Main colour scheme

The main colour scheme is used quite a lot to create a brand identity and to make the magazine look professional. There are mainly three colour which make up a magazine. For example NME use red,white and black very frequently as do Q magazine.