what are codes and conventions?
there are codes and convention applied to almost all magazines. some only exist to cover up the style of music they present. there are many different terms that are used for this, for eg-
page numbers
masthead
fonts
colour scheme
style of photography
writing style
pull quotes
cover lines
bar codes
etc
the way these elements are presents is depending on what genre of magazine you are analyzing. every time you will analyze a magazine the best way you can explore it is by using the codes and conventions, and see how they are used in different magazines, because all magazines would show the codes and conventions in there own way, some magazines codes and conventions are stronger then others, it all depends on how it is presented to an audience.
Here are some examples of some music front cover magazines and how the codes and conventions are being used in the magazine to make up the actual magazine
Here the use of codes and convention on this magazine front cover is that the colour scheme shows a very strong patriotic look towards it. this shown by the colour scheme with the white, blue and red. even the image being used the photography is mainly just a mid shot of the band in the middle, holding up a Britain flag over two of the members shoulders, this does represent that this band does come from Britain and they are representing their country. the text being applied on this magazine is very in your face, there is the main heading in the middle which is about the main story of the magazine, it also mentions 'COOL BRITANNIA!' this shows that this band supports where they are from even though they are going on a tour around the world, it shows that they are proud of where they are from as well. the font of the text if various, because the sub headings on the side the text is not very big, you can just about read it but when you see the text in the middle it stands out to you in big bold letters this is to make sure that it catches the audiences eyes so it brings them in and makes them want to know more about what the text is telling them. on this magazine it has a skyline which reads out 'KERRANG! AWARDS 2010: THE WINNERS REVEALED' this shows that there has been an award show based on acts that appear within the kerrang category. and in the magazine it shows the winners for those people who may have missed the actual shows of the awards.
Here the uses of codes and conventions being used on this front cover magazine called 'VIBE' the colour scheme of this shows it has gone with a simple colour layout of red, gold and white, it shows that they have kept the colours of this magazine simple so that the it isn't bombarding the audience with this colour show,they have kept it nice and simple so it has a nice flow, again with the type of photography being used in this magazine is that it is in black and white which means that their is a serious side to the music artist, and also it could mean he means business. the camera shot being taken of this artist is a mid shot, this is showing the artists posture and the type of clothing he is wearing, and all this shows the type of man this artist is, the picture is shot with the artist wearing a big chain around his neck this could show that he has money. also all the bling like the big faced watch and the way he is holding his belt and showing it off to the camera shows he is a wealthy man. the text being used for this front cover magazine is again very simple so that the audience doesn't get bored and lose track of the magazine. there is very little on the front cover explaining about what is happening on the inside of the magazine, this might mean that the magazine company wants the main focus on the image in the middle and his story and what the magazine has to offer about him. there is a skyline being used on this magazine which says ' STEVE HARVEY AINT HAVIN' IT:RAP,RADIO & THE N-WORD' this shows that this person they are talking about which is described as a rap artist and also a radio presenter maybe has had enough about something and mentions some language which isn't appropriate in anyway, but has used it due to maybe anger, frustration. this is known because the magazine doesn't show the full word of what they mean by the N-WORD.
Here are some examples of some music front cover magazines and how the codes and conventions are being used in the magazine to make up the actual magazine
Here the general uses of the codes and conventions are that the colour scheme of this magazine is very set. such as it has a very dull background with the plain black, and also has the image in a black and white picture, this could show that there is a serious side to this person or emotional side. the use of colour used in this magazine is very little you only get hints of colour being used on the text, this is maybe that there is certain parts in the text where the magazine wants the audience to catch there eye. the style of photography being used in this particular magazine is that the picture of the music artist has wind blowing in her hair in one direction, and also a medium shot of the actual person, this captures the body posture of the artist and also it catches the emotion in the face which can tell you what maybe there story in the magazine is about. there is very little writing on this magazine, maybe because the magazine is mainly focusing on the main story of the magazine and that is the story with the picture of the artist is linked with. but there is very little writing on the side so it shows what else is in the magazine.
Here the use of codes and convention on this magazine front cover is that the colour scheme shows a very strong patriotic look towards it. this shown by the colour scheme with the white, blue and red. even the image being used the photography is mainly just a mid shot of the band in the middle, holding up a Britain flag over two of the members shoulders, this does represent that this band does come from Britain and they are representing their country. the text being applied on this magazine is very in your face, there is the main heading in the middle which is about the main story of the magazine, it also mentions 'COOL BRITANNIA!' this shows that this band supports where they are from even though they are going on a tour around the world, it shows that they are proud of where they are from as well. the font of the text if various, because the sub headings on the side the text is not very big, you can just about read it but when you see the text in the middle it stands out to you in big bold letters this is to make sure that it catches the audiences eyes so it brings them in and makes them want to know more about what the text is telling them. on this magazine it has a skyline which reads out 'KERRANG! AWARDS 2010: THE WINNERS REVEALED' this shows that there has been an award show based on acts that appear within the kerrang category. and in the magazine it shows the winners for those people who may have missed the actual shows of the awards.
Here the uses of codes and conventions being used on this front cover magazine called 'VIBE' the colour scheme of this shows it has gone with a simple colour layout of red, gold and white, it shows that they have kept the colours of this magazine simple so that the it isn't bombarding the audience with this colour show,they have kept it nice and simple so it has a nice flow, again with the type of photography being used in this magazine is that it is in black and white which means that their is a serious side to the music artist, and also it could mean he means business. the camera shot being taken of this artist is a mid shot, this is showing the artists posture and the type of clothing he is wearing, and all this shows the type of man this artist is, the picture is shot with the artist wearing a big chain around his neck this could show that he has money. also all the bling like the big faced watch and the way he is holding his belt and showing it off to the camera shows he is a wealthy man. the text being used for this front cover magazine is again very simple so that the audience doesn't get bored and lose track of the magazine. there is very little on the front cover explaining about what is happening on the inside of the magazine, this might mean that the magazine company wants the main focus on the image in the middle and his story and what the magazine has to offer about him. there is a skyline being used on this magazine which says ' STEVE HARVEY AINT HAVIN' IT:RAP,RADIO & THE N-WORD' this shows that this person they are talking about which is described as a rap artist and also a radio presenter maybe has had enough about something and mentions some language which isn't appropriate in anyway, but has used it due to maybe anger, frustration. this is known because the magazine doesn't show the full word of what they mean by the N-WORD.
