1. Codes and
Conventions
Front Covers of Music
Magazines
●NME
●Q
●Rolling Stones
●Billboard

2. Masthead - bold
initials, conventional
positioning, bright
and eye catching
Strap Line -
conventional placement,
aims of magazine
Cover Lines - variety
of other artists, appeals
to wider audience,
keeps to house style
Main Cover Line - artist's
name, anchors image,
attracts fans, keeps to
house style, bold font,
insight into main article
Pull Quote - entices &
intrigues reader,
creates hermeneutic
question (want to know
the answer), gives
personal feel to readers
(uses and grats)
House Style - 4 colour schemes, light blue, red, black & white
Barcode/Date/Issue Number - conventional placement, reflects target audience's price range
Main Image - mid
shot, direct mode
of address,
creates personal
relationship with
reader & connects
with text (uses &
grats)
Cover Lines -
additional articles,
smaller font (not
main selling point),
keeps to house
style
Tag Lines -
'ultimate' &
'exclusive' shows
high quality &
provides unknown
info (uses & grats),
entices reader,
keeps to house
style, square
contrasts circle
below so stands
out

3. Main Image - close-up,
direct mode of address,
creates personal
relationship & connects
with text (uses & grats),
keeps to house style,
wearing lots of make-up
– attractive, appeals to
male gaze (Mulvey)
Pull Quote - entices
& intrigues reader,
creates hermeneutic
question (want to
know the answer),
personal feel (uses
and grats)
Main Cover Line -
artist's name, anchors
image, attracts fans,
keeps to house style,
bold font, insight into
main article
Masthead – White lettering on bright background, eye catching,
conventional placement, more elegant font – targets more mature
audience
Strap Line -
conventional placement,
aims of magazine
Barcode/Date/Issue Number - reflects target audience's price range
House Style - light
blue, red, black &
white
Cover Lines – fonts
smaller (not main selling
point), additional artists
& articles appeal to
wider audience, keeps
house style, informal
language – creates a
more relaxed and
personal atmosphere
(uses & grats)
Cover Line –
Creates hermeneutic
code (Barthes), gives
incentive to read on,
keeps to house style
Puff – flash of info,
insight into magazine,
stands out, keeps to
house style, pull quote
personal feel (uses&
grats)

4. Masthead – bold red
font, conventional
placement and
typography, familiar &
stands out
Main Cover Line -
artist's name, anchors
image, attracts fans,
keeps to house style,
bold large font, insight
into main article
Date/Issue
Number/Price -
reflects target
audience's price
range, no barcode
(unconventional)
Main Image - mid shot,
direct mode of address,
creates personal
relationship with reader
& connects with text
(uses & grats), simple
make-up reflects the
simplicity of the cover,
creates a more mature
feeling Cover Lines –
Creates hermeneutic
code (Barthes),
incentive to read on,
keeps to house style,
range of artists entice
wider audience, all
writing
unconventionally on
right
Sell Line – 'special' gives the impression of exclusivity, increases the likelihood
of purchase due to rarity
Cover Line –
Political topics set
the magazine apart
from other ones,
appeals to wider
audience range,
gives a more mature
& intelligent
appearance
House Style - red, black, grey & white

5. Masthead - bold initials,
conventional
positioning, bright & eye
catching, colourful (sets
house style)
Barcode/Date/Issue Number
- reflects target audience
price range, has links to
website, increase views
Main Image - medium
close-up, direct mode of
address, creates personal
relationship with reader &
connects with text (uses
& grats)
Puff – flash of info,
insight into magazine,
stands out, keeps to
house style, creates
hermeneutic code (what
are the lessons)
Main Cover Line - artist's
name, anchors image,
attracts fans, keeps to
house style, bold large
font, insight into main
article
Cover Lines –
keeps to house
style, range of
artists entice
wider audience,
smaller font - not
main selling
points
House Style - 3 colour schemes, blue, green & white
Cover Lines –
controversial &
technological
articles set the
magazine apart,
appeals to wider
audience, just
white
Sell Line –
advertising
magazine
event,'don't miss'
incentive to
readers read,
website link -
extra info, date
provides details

6. Summary of Front Covers
● Set house style & include puff's, sell lines, masthead's,
barcodes e.t.c
● The main image is conventionally who the main article
is about & prodominantly uses direct mode of address
● Image typically mid-shot or medium close up though
other kinds of shots occur too
● Image conventionally in centre & takes up most of page
● The text is usually placed around the outside of the
image to stop it looking too busy
● The main cover-line - conventionally larger than all the
other pieces of text & often includes pull quotes
● The secondary cover-lines are typically in a much
smaller font, include a range of artists & create a
hermeneutic code

7. Summary of Front Covers
● Set house style & include puff's, sell lines, masthead's,
barcodes e.t.c
● The main image is conventionally who the main article
is about & prodominantly uses direct mode of address
● Image typically mid-shot or medium close up though
other kinds of shots occur too
● Image conventionally in centre & takes up most of page
● The text is usually placed around the outside of the
image to stop it looking too busy
● The main cover-line - conventionally larger than all the
other pieces of text & often includes pull quotes
● The secondary cover-lines are typically in a much
smaller font, include a range of artists & create a
hermeneutic code