Summary of Research into Music Magazines

Conventional LayoutMasthead - Always placed at the top of the page in a big, bold and sans serif style font.

Close-up image - of person/celebrity regarding the main story.

Effective use of the left third – allows stories to be seen when overlapped on shelves in-store.

Barcode, Date and Price – allows audience to depict the issue and what they’re buying and how much for.

Obvious cover story – dominant font, can usually contrast in colour.

Several coverlines – show lots of stories are included inside the magazine and make it look more informative and interesting.

Page heading – large dominant font; easy to determine what the page is about.Serif font –

Typically easier to read; regarded as a more feminine font and makes the page look more interesting.

Social links – links to the psychographics of the audience.

Images and sub-images – hint what the other stories may be about.

Bleeding across the gutter – The image runs on across two pages – allows more room for text other pieces of information.

Kicker – starting article off with a kicker draws attention to the start of the text.

Pull quote – Gives insight to what the article might be about.

Blocks of Text – conventional for a double page spread – usually some sort of interview.

Conventions of Form

From my research it is clear that there are several conventional features to include on the front cover these are: following the route of the eye, efficiently uses the left third, has an ordered layout, a dominant masthead, cover story and cover lines and a main image taken as a close-up.

There are also other conventions such as adding an issue number, price and barcode, using sans serif font for a majority of the front cover – including the masthead and cover stories.

Conventions of Genre

Billboard is a ‘all-one-genre’ music magazine and therefore changes its genre by reflecting the genre they are focusing on this time. For example, if it’s pop – lots of

bright colours and colloquial language will be used to connote a fun and young vibe. However, this changes when something such as ‘R ‘n B’ is selected by using things such

as a more sophisticated colour scheme (usually black and white) and a more formal choice of language. This helps to signify an elegant and classy feel.

Pop Issue -vibrant colours used as part of mise-en-scene.

R ‘n B Issue – Black and white colour scheme used to connote sophistication and reflect the mood of R’n B music.

Mode of Address

Billboard’s mode of address is happy and lively. They portray this through their use of fairly colloquial language. The use of sans serif fonts on all of the front covers connote a masculine feel to the magazine. The colour used within the magazine also uses the colours featured inside the masthead on the front cover. This again, represents the mode of address as enjoyable and cheery and appeals to the target audience.

Use of Technical ElementsCostume

Black or dull coloured clothing to connote sophistication and classiness. It also gives the magazine imagery a clean vibe.

Lighting

High key lighting is used throughout all the imagery to make the magazine seem fresh and modern. It also helps to emphasise the celebrity’s features.

Camerawork

A majority of the images from within the magazines are taken from a mid-shot or a close-up. This is to display what the artist is wearing and also display their body language.

Mise-en-scene

Each magazine uses the elements of mise-en-scene including: props, lighting and costume. In the image below, you can see that Lady Gaga is wearing a lot of jewellery which connotes a ‘rock’ vibe.