Main Exercise-Codes and Conventions of a Music Magazine Front Cover

Codes and Conventions of a Music Magazine Front Cover

· Title – One word or letter(s) and is in the top left hand corner and covers the full page width

· Unique font on title – Same height and is the largest text on the front cover

· Main picture – Biggest picture and usually a band or singer medium close-up , no smiles conveys an attitude and they use direct address (looking at the reader) - juxtaposition

· Main image - low angle camera shot –more power/more imposing – creative photography

· Main coverline – Over main picture to anchor picture and tells the meaning of the main image, frames main images and is on the left side of the cover

· Coverline – Usually two or three lines and are information about contents, tease the audience and provokes interest

· Cover line and subline – Few words as possible

· Smaller pictures – People using doing gigs in pictures

· Consistent colour scheme – Only ever three or four colours throughout – Looks classy not cheap

· Typography – Look of the words and letters, consistent throughout only ever a few fonts used, they use the font to reflect the target audience and subject

· Serif Sans - Is youthful

· Bar Code – On the bottom right hand side as it’s the last place people usually look, is not on the back because a paid advert is placed there

· Free stuff – to entice readers to buy

· Buzzwords – Exclusives, strip at the bottom or top of the cover – list of names and topics

· Puff – something for nothing, sales puff

· Masthead – Title, Position statement , dater and price usually all together

· Positioning statement – By the title, either above or below issue date and price