Codes and Conventions of a music magazine..

Codes and Conventions are the key parts of a music magazine's success. They are different type's of codes and conventions to support different type of magazines. Some require more than others. On the front cover a virtual code and convention is an image of the artist; this is mainly a mid-shot demonstrating the style of the artist. This will hook the audience on to purchasing the product. Also every magazine requires a main story which can be related to the artist on the font cover. As well as this, you can present quotes in a bold font on the front cover which will interest the audience into reading the interview. A colour theme should be used to display the connection between the cover, content page and the double page article. Every page should look organised and professional. To give the audience an idea on what the image is about captions are needed. Bar codes suggest the latest issue and the price.

Front Cover

This cover is from a leading music magazine called "Vibe". The name is short, snappy and relates to the genre of music is appeals to. The background of the cover is two toned as it is darker on the ends and comes in lighter in the middle. This is different from the normal one base backgrounds in other magazines. It is very creative and gives a lot of emphasis to the artist on the cover. The way Ciara is posing along with facial impressions shows she's being seductive and inviting the reader into the magazine. The theme is yellow, white, light and dark blue. Further more, the sub-titles have been written in bright colours to attract attention.  The colour combination of the theme comprises of bright and dark colours; this is to emphasise the wordings in bright colours whilst having the background in the darker colours.

The different coloured fonts and sizes draws the readers attention and encourages them to purchase the magazine. Ciara's costume; a simple black stylish dress blends in with the background which is appealing as black brings out her figure, without clashing in with the sub-headings. One of the sub- headings is based as a rhetorical question which is "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me." This indicates that the targeted audience are males as it questions on how their ideal girlfriend should be.

Contents Page

This content page is from the magazine "Vibe" from the October issue. This cover is simple but sexy at the same time. The front cover has a mixture of three colours; starting at the top with a dark black coming down the page with a grey turning into a white at the bottom. The colour theme of this page are black, grey and white. these colours compliment each other resulting in a eye-catching content page. The Font varies in the heading, sub-titles and in the explanatory text. The heading consists of a block font, filled with white. Also the letters are piled on top each other. This is based on a black background. The Sub- title has a feminine font that is in black as one of the title's is "Fashion". The explanatory text is bold explaining in more dept what that age will contain of, along with the name of the photograph and the stylist of the picture. The model is an artist is called Ciara. The way she is posing is provocative and flirtatious as she is revealing most of her figure and the position of her leg gives the reader an a tempting irresistible impression. The females will be influenced by her behaviour whereas the males will attractive by it. Her costume is grey which fits in nicely with the font cover, as well as the dark coloured heels. However one thing that could improve this page is the size of the font as it may not be reader friendly. Additionally it could contain more photographs showing what going to be happening in other pages in the magazine.

Double article

This is a double page article of a music magazine. The heading is a quote taken from the artist's interview. " People think am an attention seeker, but I'm just honest". She is trying demolish this public image that she has been put with. This is a good way to summarise what the article is going to about. Also the Heading font is clear and catchy, attracting the readers attention along with putting her views across. The white backgrounds allows the rest of the contents on the page.  The capital letter's emphasise an important point. Lily Allen's picture has taken up the other side of the page. Her body structure and attitude is inviting the reader into the article as she is looking directly at the reader. Her costume is informal as she is wearing a checked shirt. This gives the reader a message that you don't have to be inspired by the way an artists presents themselves to read an article. The explanatory text under the quote heading is in an italic font explaining what Lilly Allen meant by this quote. The words that are important are stated in red. The journalist language is casual and chatty acknowledge it to be reader friendly. 

Intial thoughts and Ideas

For my magazine I have several ideas which I am going to take considerable amount of time developing them. As my aim is to produce a magazine that is different from the mainstream ones, but still keep to the codes and coventions as that is the way to produce a successful magazine. My artist would be female singer with a good sense of fashion; an icon for teenage girls and young women to follow. Along with this, male's would treasure the beauty and fall in love with the photographs. I believe the title of the magazine plays a huge role in sales as it has to be relivant to the magazine.The magazine 'Vibe' is an inspiration to me as it has the same target market and genres as the magazine I am aiming to produce. Also the name 'Vibe' gives you sense of the genre music and immediately recognise it is a music magazine. The colours that I am considering to use are red, black, white and grey. The theme will run through the three pieces, this will represent that the pieces are together not individual. For the font I will use few styles as I would like the cover to be attractive not boring. The cover will contain a mid- shot of  my artist looking striaght forward; eye contact with the consumer.

This cover is appealing as the white background is drawing attention to the colourful, attractive fonts and the artist in the middle is posing with attitude. The black top of the atist fits in with the theme which brings the cover together. The title is slightly covered with the head of the artist as it is showing power. The font colour and size has been change through out the cover. This shwos creativity and keeps the reader captured along with interested to read further. The Sharp deep bright colours such as red, white, grey and black suggest a sense of power.This theme has excellent variety of textures. Overall it is a well presented cover as they is no negatives that could be critised.

Introduction

My name is Ashba Yasin. I am currently an AS Media student. For my project I have chosen to do the print which is based on a music magazine.This consists of a front cover, content page and lastly a double page article based on journalism. I believe by taking on print comparatively than film will enable me to demonstrate my skills porficiently. Music takes great part in my life and the experienced i have gained as a reader will help me through this task. The genre that I enjoy listening to is R&B and Hip hop;as my magazine will be based on.The target market for these magazines are mainly teenagers and young adults.