Music Magazines - Jess Skinn

1. Generic Codes and Conventions
Music Magazines
Jess Skinn – OCR G321

2. Conventions
Masthead – the masthead is the title block for the magazine, usually this is the most eye
catching convention on a page and has to be distinct.
Menu – the list of contents inside the paper.
Pugs – to catch the reader’s eye they are well placed, a pug is the top left hand and right hand
corner of a magazine, the prices, logo, position are placed here.
Secondary lead – a sneak preview of an inside article or story usually a picture.
Sidebar – an additional box next to the main feature of the magazine.
Splash – main story of the front page accompanied with the headline and a photograph.
Spread – a story that covers more than one page.
Stand first – sentence after a headline and before an article that ‘sells’ a feature to a reader.
Tag – categorizing the reader’s interest in a story by using the word or phrase to engage them.
Box-out – a coloured box behind some text, to make it stand out.
By-line – name of the reporter.
Caption – text underneath an image explaining it.
Credits – in the form of a beeline the author is usually credited, some photographs may have the
name of the photographer underneath.
Crosshead – a subheading that shows in the body of the text and is centered above the column
of text, if its to one side it’s a side-head.
Exclusive – this means that newspaper solely covered the story, and they’ll pay interviewees,
buying the story.
Feature- usually human interest presented spread.
Kicker – story designed to stand out from the rest of the page.
Lure – used as a marketing device, to entice readers into reading the article, story or magazine.
Website – http://www.slideshare.net/SundasBostan/the-codes-conventions-of-a-magazine

3. Codes
Technical:
Camera Tech – different techniques used, eg: size, zoom, focus.
Framing – the framing can vary to suit the style of the magazine, if it’s a more formal magazine,
then photographs will be appropriate, whereas a more common mainstream magazine may be
laid back with posture, and frame.
Lighting – can very to make the photograph look more or less focused, shadowed or in depth.
Exposure – to create an open technique to the photograph.
Juxtaposition – some photos can create an opposite feel to the theme of the magazine.
Written:
Headlines – masthead
Captions – strapline, box-out, by-line, crosshead, sidebar, stand first.
Speech – exclusive, credits, splash.
Language and font style – font, colour, size.
Speech bubbles – affects the style and form of the magazine.
Symbolic:
Objects – the artist may hold, wear or be on, or surrounding different objects which may link to
the genre they are eg: cigarettes are common with rappers.
Setting – the setting can vary in the situation of the article or spread about that person.
Clothes – clothes may be influenced by their genre and style.
Colour – colours can vary by the mood of the artist, genre or even what the article is about.
Body Language – linking to themes.

4. Masthead – a
title block for
the magazine
which is eye
catching, and
distinctive.
Secondary
lead – a
sneak
headline of
what’s in the
magazine,
with a
photograph
that links in
with it.
Lure – this
marketing
device,
makes the
reader
enticed into
reading on.
Menu – this
consists of a
list of things
that are
available to
read
throughout
the
magazine,
with a brief
strapline
underneath
it. It also
lures the
reader.
Pugs – these
are used to
catch the
readers eye,
and are
placed well.
They are
usually logos,
barcodes,
price tags,
usually in the
corners.

5. There’s a range of different codes shown throughout this magazine. The masthead of the
magazine is a bold title, and holds a lot of the colour on the cover. This is a symbolic code,
because bright colours have been used, which is eye catchy to readers, and also contrasts to the
natural colours from the photograph. It is also a written code because it is the magazine’s name,
which is an important characteristic.
There is also a barcode
next to the title, a pug,
which is evidently an
important part of the
magazine, which
enables people to buy
it. It’s promotional
because it includes
manufacturing
information.
The anchoring image of
the artist Drake in the
middle, is the main part of
the magazine, and
signifies that an aspect of
the magazine will include
an interview from him.
Technical codes have been
used, such as the lighting
and framing has been
adjusted, and he’s in a
position which puts his
smile central of the cover
portraying a positive side.
A box-out to the left side
of the image labels, “Drake
delivers the goods” links
into the positivity of the
story.
To the right side at the
bottom, there is a brief
menu about what else
may be found
throughout the
magazine, which
enables the buyer to
know what else is
available in the
magazine.

6. There are written codes used
throughout this spread about Drake. It
covers two pages, using written codes
on one page, and technical codes on
the other through photography.
The photograph of Drake has exposure to the
majority of his body, and the lighting is significant
on his face. Camera techniques have been used to
focus more on his facial structure, then the rest of
his body. Shadows are effective in areas.
The
background of
the
photograph is
white, and he
is sat on a sofa
as a prop. His
body language
is relaxed yet
posed, and his
clothes suit his
style of music,
indie hip hop
rap.
The headline
is effective
because it
lures readers
to it, into
finding out
what “Drake’s
progress”
really is. It’s
bold and eye
catchy, and
the colours
match with
the text.
The text has a cross-head, which provides basic and brief information about what the feature
is about, and this is mainly to lure readers in. The text is arranged into three large columns,
into two paragraphs. A third into the centre of the columns there is a box out, which hold text
from Drake himself, a quote which reads, “I can’t paint a façade ‘look at the Rolex’ it’s not all
happy”. It is abrupt in the text and easy to read, especially at glance. It’s a hooking quote.