Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions of a Front Cover

• · Titles usually one word.
• · Title usually to the left.
• · A general colour scheme.
• · Main story is the main picture.
• · Puffs
• · Posed photos
• · Photo over the title.
• · Band name printed over the band.
• · Barcode on front.
• · Unique font.
• · Title is the largest text on the cover.
• · One main image.

o Usually band or singer.

o Usually medium close up.

o Not smiling connotes attitude.

o Direct address usually looking at the reader.

Coverlines

• · Main coverline usually 2 lines.
• · Information about contents.
• · Intrigue the audience.

Typography

Consistent throughout the magazine only a few different fonts used.

2 different types of typography

Serif – News times roman

Sans Serif – Arial

Title, positioning statement and price all go together

Codes and Conventions of a Contents Page

• · One large image,
• · Contents at the top as a title.
• · Lists of pages.
• · Colour scheme, often the same as the title page.
• · Plain.
• · More than one image.
• · Editorial, picture and letter from the editor.
• · Columns, 2 or 3.
• · Subscription details.
• · Title of magazine repeated.
• · Issue date.
• · Page number.
• · Content detail.
• · Regular and features.

o Regular – Every issue

o Features – one off articles.