1. THE CODES AND CONVENTIONS:
There are many things of which we, as readers of magazines, expect from a
magazine, the basics being as followed;
~ Front Cover
~ Contents Page
~ Double-page Spread
~ Feature article
2. FRONT COVER:
The Front Cover: we expect the front cover of any magazine to instantly reveal to the reader of
what that specific issue is all about, it's main job, through my perspective is to sell the
magazine, to really spark interest with the reader. this can be accomplished with a few basic
priorities.
Colour Scheme: The colour scheme can not be bland so as to be unnoticed, yet it can also not
be bright and with a variety of colours that are not consistent (a prime example would be any
issue of TOTPs, all the many colours represent the magazine as being an messy and
unprofessional look). the colour scheme should only be of around one colour (three at the very
most) that should be supported with a range of shades. The colour scheme should be
consistent and should carry throughout the whole magazine as a way of supporting an idea of
continuity.
The Image: images are crucial throughout any magazine, but most likely the feature image on
the front cover is probably the most important, for the way of which it is the first impression of
the magazine of which the reader will be given. When choosing an image, it is important to
select carefully for the image not only reveals the artists whom are the main compelling factor
of the issue (the artist/s should preferably be popular to the target audience). It is also important
to consider, costumes, props, and camera angles so as your image will reveal a theme to your
readership as well as attracting new readers. An example might be a young undiscovered
artist/s, captured in a mid-shot, smiling at the camera as he holds a guitar; the close up and the
smile towards the audience reveals that he is acknowledging them, of which will help to
convince the needs of acceptance of which a reader might hold, where as the guitar highlights
the fact that he is a talented musical artists and not just an another singer, which will help to sell
that issue.
3. CONTENTS PAGE:
Contents Page:
Letter from the Editor: By having a personalised opinion on the issue, the reader
feels more welcomed and accepted as both opinions of reader and editor are
joined and ultimately compared as well as matched with one another. This a very
good summary as to the content of the issue, as well as an inside perspective of
what goes on to creating the issue which will result in adding an extended amount
of information, of which most audiences of music magazines desire the most (as
seen by the gratification theory, we crave things that possess a wider range of
information for humans love to learn) this in itself provides one of the primary
reasons on why magazine still continue to exist and sell in this age of technology.
Images: A range of images will normally be displayed in the contents page so as to
help support and illustrate specific articles of which are most likely to be a
magazines 'hot-spots' again discussed above about images, it is important to
select the props and camera angles of which you chooses to feature those objects
or artists so as for the magazine to reveal the right representation to its audience.
Subscription Details: subscription details are always a good idea to be placed on
the contents page for it is the page that is most likely to be viewed through the
average reader (to know which page the wanted article is on).
Advertisements: adverts are also good to place on the continents page for it is
one of the most frequently viewed pages in the magazine. It is key to remember to
style the advertisements to the correct target audience; an example being alcohol
for Indie/ Rock magazine.
4. DOUBLE-PAGE SPREAD
Double-Page Spread: Usually is a follow up to the feature article, and can be
seen as a simple introduction for the main articles of the issue, ( the double page
indicating such a great amount of importance). Through my research I can safely
say that the format to a double-page spread, is something of a simple one.
normally there is a close up of the artist, as well a quote to encapsulate the
persona of that artist so already before the reader delve in to the actual article,
they already in the knowledge of what sort of artists they are dealing with (e.g.
rebellious, happy go lucky).
Feature Article: An article based upon the cover feature of the front cover of that
magazine, the articles should aim to be in great detail, but it is important to
understand on aspects of information does the audience actually want; it could just
be about the artists and there personas with a few funny anecdotes, or it could be
statistics and truthful honest opinions on the artists and his or her music. Images,
like on every page of the magazine are used here, mainly solely focusing on the
artists so as to reflect the attitude of the article.
Image: Throughout my research of double page spreads there are only around 1-3
images, yet these images are very much important as they help to encapsulate the
subjective articles that feature. Normally a very a large image take sup a page,
almost so that it is an introduction that eases and interests the reader into looking
through the double page spread, and the articles that well closely follow.
5. AUDIENCES:
The Audience:
the audiences the backbone of success to any magazine. when creating any magazine you
must always focus on the target audience and question if these articles are appropriate or
suitable for that target audience, ( for would the majority of teenagers really want to purchase a
magazine on classical music).
Audiences read magazine so as to gain two quality's that every age range desires from media;
entertainment and information. Readers buy the magazines so as to be entertained, pleasure
such as being closer to the artist with specific articles of that artists that not really any other
media might not be able to achieve. we are also entertained with the idea of collectability, and
how we as devoted readers to our devoted chosen genre of music, enjoy collecting, keeping
and storing magazines, posters and possibly freebies for we are safe in the knowledge that we
are devoted fans that we dedicate are time to magazine sand the artists whom feature in them.
Some might disagree with this, and say that the magazine is an out-dated part of media that
struggles to survive in the techno-based world of today, what with websites, and social media,
that bring information and entertainment through a quicker and far cheaper way. But I would
argue that the pleasure of purchasing that magazine is actually to gain a tangible piece of
information, how it pleases the reader. As well, I would like to add that websites give up too
much information with endless links and adverts than in the end it would irritate most readers
for the bombardment of dull facts. to finalise I would like to say that a magazine offers prizes,
competitions and subscription gifts, where as a percentage of audience might not even have a
computer. Anyone can pos ton the internet, where as if you buy a magazine you are in full in the
knowledge that the journalist are trained as well as truthful, of which results in the success of
the magazine.
6. REPRESENTATION:
The Representation:
The genre of music that I have chosen for my music magazine
is Rock.
The stereotypical view:
-rebellion
-anger
-fury
-chaotic
On one hands adding these elements to my magazine will
help to justify my magazine, any reader will instantly be able
to look at my magazine and tell that it's a rock magazine
(judging by the heavy colour black that is full bleed amongst
the front cover. For these reasons I think is important to add a
stereotypical view for my magazine, but to not exaggerate the
theme for it could insult readers as well as discriminate them
as it might be sent that we mock the readers, of which we
utterly do not want to achieve.
7. INSTITUTIONS:
Institutions:
Magazines make money through three ways:
- The purchase: the money off the purchase of the magazine.
- Advertisements: how the magazine will allow adverts to be
printed in their magazine, the advertisement companies paying
the magazine for allowing the advertisement.
- Subscription Details: additional or bonus money are when
readers of the magazine pay a fee to subscribe to the magazine
of which they are to receive each issue as well as certain gifts.
Another way for magazine to receive money is through the sue of
other forms of media that are connected to the magazine. for
example music channels, radio stations, or award ceremonies.
Example: Kerrang having there own radio station of which they
will take a profit of phone calls from listeners as well as placing
advertisements throughout the break