Music Magazine Conventions

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Magazine Construction

• Student Copy

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Conventions

• What you get on front covers

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Cover Line
Selling Line or Banner
Tagline
Plug
Masthead
Graphic Feature
Flash
Feature Article Photo
Date Line
Headline
Puff
Anchorage
Kicker
Menu Strip
Secondary Lead
Bar Code
Caption
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Conventions Notes

• The masthead of NME is typically red font on a
  white outline or block white text on a red
  rectangular shaped background. This is a good way
  of representing the logo because it is consistent
  with the red and white theme but because the
  image is so red, it mimics the red box and makes
  the white text stand right off the page which s
  truly effective and a good representation of a
  special edition magazine because this is a one
  time thing because not all articles will involve
  an image with such vibrancy, or a close up.
• It defines the image by using different font
  style to match the theme or emotion. The theme
  here is red and white, the red in her hair is
  what makes the magazine and the text is aligned
  in white with the hair so it stands out. The
  anchorage is in black so it doesnt distract the
  focus of her face as its such a striking image.
• No tagline is linked to any articles to Florence,
  they all talk about music and carries that theme
  but the only link to Florence is the headline and
  the image, everything else is referring to other
  articles, this is because its a special addition
  and it has no plugs and the general style is
  quite mysterious, no links.
• The main focus is Florence, because its a
  close-up and her hair is the only colour thats
  being brought to the front cover, her face being
  very pale, matches the red and white theme.
• Its quite formal, the font does differ but is
  consistent with professional style font. The
  language used is quotational and straight
  forward. As it can be in first person e.g. I
  would, it is also to inform e.g. the state of
  music today , special edition.

5
Design

• How front covers are conceived and laid out

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TOP LEFT THIRD
TOP RIGHT THIRD
Banner Direct mode of address
Flash, special edition
Masthead is bold and contrasts
Same Pose and costume to show their relationship
Pun within the headline
Date reference
Anchorage, reason for tribute
Kickers/ Menu strip
Graphic feature, a white stripe to represent the
band name
Flash, in addition
Plug
BOTTOM RIGHT THIRD
BOTTOM LEFT THIRD
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Direct mode of address can appear in yer face,
serious, warm
Indirect mode of address can be mysterious,
lively, sombre
Creates a wacky, fun image, sharing an identity
with the reader that offers the independence of
indie music.
Enigma what are they getting up to now?
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House Style Design Notes

• COLOUR NME tends to go for the red, white and
  black because red and white is the masthead
  colours but the black come from the old
  monochrome images on the front cover. Its not the
  same on every issue, if its a collectors edition
  then the colour scheme will match the subjects
  theme e.g. to match the colour clothes theyre
  wearing. There is a pattern, the background
  tends to be white so the text is black and red
  but sometimes if the background is red, the white
  text shows its importance but any black text
  shows its secondary information, colour is used
  to symbolise and create meaning.
• FONTS There can be a range of fonts, the
  traditional fonts used would be simple and bold
  so its clearly read but sometimes they add
  different fonts e.g. handwritten font for quotes
  and with a design for a masthead.
• STYLE The style is very casual and striking, it
  draws you in and makes you feel excited. The
  cover image contributes to this because if its a
  band you really like you get excited because it
  feels like its yours that you belong to this
  magazine, but if the images was boring it would
  have that feel, its all about pose, close-ups and
  costume. The costume usually matches the colour
  theme. There are different approaches to mode of
  address, the common approach would be looking
  directly at the camera so the subject looks right
  at the reader but if the subject is looking in
  the distance it would be more artistic but less
  invitational. If the mode of address was quite
  unusual, although it doesnt give any feel, it
  does make the reader question this and want to
  read on. Mode of address is important considering
  the type of theme you're using.
• USE OF SPACE The rule of thirds is used mainly
  in the top left third where the logo/masthead is
  used, this can also include some sub-headings
  depending on the magazine style. The middle third
  usually has the subject and their eyes are
  usually in the top middle third. The head line
  usually stretches across the page at the bottom
  of the page. NME is known for never having any
  dead space, they will fill it up by either making
  font bigger or including a longer list of bands.
  Theirs so much content that there is no need for
  dead space. Any dead space they have is white and
  is used professionally.
• CONCLUDE NME is designed like it is because
  its the traditional way it always has been,
  magazines back in the 50s were traditionally
  printed like this so in modern days it is
  bringing in this vintage twist. It does include
  typical conventions like a bold masthead and one
  subject. Theres always a flash or menu because
  of all the content in the magazine. Its very
  poster style, the subject is always where your
  eyes go to and the headline is always styles
  differently to go with the theme of the image.
  Its very smooth and slick, fun and striking, you
  wouldnt look past it on the news stand with
  its bright colours and bold font.