2/10/08

Today we were told our coursework task which is to create a music magazine.





We were given three pieces of A4 paper with different magazine front covers on them. We were asked to discuss what they all had in common (the codes and conventions).



The magazine front covers we were given were Hello! magazine, Good Housekeeping and Mixmag. These are the points we came up with:

• The largest text on the page is the title



• The title is always placed in the top left



• The title is one/two words long



• Unique font for the title which is the magazine's trademark



• Celebrity



• The persons appearing on the page are smiling which shows a positive representation



• The persons appearing on the page are all looking straight at the cameraArticles are placed around the edges of the magazine



• Articles contain alliteration



• Positioning statement - a statement a magazine makes about itself to position itself.



• Coverlines - main article is biggest, links to main image and anchors meaning, larger type size than sublines



• Other coverlines are one or two words long (capitals/bold/colourful)



• Sublines explain the story more



• Some are intriguely teasing the reader



• Puffs often used - give the reader something more than the magazine



• Buzz words e.g. "exclusive"



• Main image - medium close up, close up, mid shot



• Barcode



• Issue number



• Price

We then analysed the codes and conventions of magazine contents pages. Here are the results:

• Often a double page spread



• Lots of images of featured articles



• Layout is usually dominated by pictures (they usually take up 2/3 of page)



• Numbers in large colourful font on pictures - anchor picture to written contents.



• All articles fall into certain catogries



• Some include an editorial



• Pictures vary in size (collage)



• Structure: page number, key words (either in capitals, bold or coloured or a combination!) bigger size than the sublines which explain the story (10/11 pt size)



• Column layout - most are 3/4 columns



• Divided into catogries - often have headings



• Website address and contact details (email address, snail mail address)



• Some include a still of the front cover



• Contents and title appear at the top of the page.



• Clear style in the use of fonts (to look stylish)