music magazine research - double page spread Codes and Conventions

By looking at a range of double page spread i managed to produce a list of common things found. they included:

• Image is on one side of the page and the riting is on the other.
• picture/image os usually found on the right hand side.
• the image usually signifies aspects of the artist/band/article.
• the image is usually a medium long shot or medium close up if the image is of a band.
• the date and page numbers can be found at the bottom of the page
• sometimes the mast head can be found loctaed at the bottom of the page
• there is a Byline included on the page
• Drop capitals are included for the first letter or the article
• the title is short and snappy
• Standfirst - bold paragraph underneath the title/ above the article
• Dop quotes are in big letters from the story to stand out (exciting or contoversial)
• usually 11pt font
• the format is usually informal to connect with the target audience
• the columns are 3/4 columns
• there is a consistent colour scheme which relates to the image
• the artists name is usually bold or highlighted.

Analysis of professional magazine contents pages

 After comparing all these magazine contents pages from NME, Q and Uncut I can now
make a list of the typical codes and conventions which are included in an Indie music magazine.
this list includes:

•  masthead is included - located at the top of the page
• pages are numbered
• pages are split into subheadings
• main image is linked to the main article title
• extra images include numbers to relevant pages
• there is always a 'feature' section included
• always follow the same pattern
• split into 3 columns
• main image takes up two columns
• photos are usually non-direct address
• colour scheme is the same as the front cover
• the main article image is not always of a person
• there is more writing than images included on the page.

Professional Magazine Front Covers

Looking at these magazines I managed to find the codes and conventions of typical Indie magazines. The ideas i came up with are:

• the title is at the top of the page
• the main image is in the centre or slightly off set to the right
• the masthead font is unique and is the only font on that page
• the main storyline links to the main image
• the main image is usually direct address but not always.
• there is a banner included across the bottom of the page which includes what other artists or bands are included in the magazine.
• the barcode and price can be found on the right hand side of the page usually near the bottom.
• graphics included
• cover lines are located around the main image
• masthead stands out from the rest of the magazine
• main cover line/ article is enlarged on the page
• colours include: red, black, yellow, white, blue/brown

Initial plans for my magazine

Genre - Indie


Price - £3.50

Frequency of publication - Monthly

Average issue size - around 100 pages

Regular content - top 50 songs in the hart, new album and single releases, upcoming gigs, tv and radio reviews, letters from fans and a competition for tickets to a gig.


Feature articles - interviews with bands or singers, band news/gossip, previous gig review, quiz, top 10 songs of the month chosen by the public.

Researching the market place

http://prezi.com/z6objq2nr8sy/researching-the-market-place/

Initial Ideas

Type of music magazine: Indie
The target audience: Males
                                  17- 25
                                  interested in attending gigs, festivals and indie/rock music.

Music magazine research - Codes and Conventions of music magazine contents pages

As a class we managed to produce a list of the codes and conventions of a music magazine. This is what we managed to find out:

All magazine contents pages include:

• have reference to the magazine name
• have word contents on
• contain one main image
• layed out into 2/3 columns
• apart from the main image there is more that one other image
• the colour scheme matches that of the fornt cover meaning there are only around 3 colours
• the images included relate to the page numbers in the magazine
• there is a website or way of contact included on them
• there are more images than writing included
• contain advertisements e.g the next issue
• an editors letter
• different font for section headings (sometimes include graphics)
• banner to highlight important things.
• usually 2 columns of pictures and one of writing.