1. Definition: Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning.
These may include both technical codes or symbolic codes.
Conventions are the widely recognised way of doing something
which is to do with content, form and style.

2. I used the colours red and
black in my house style
which are frequently seen in
rock magazines such as
Rocksound and Kerrang.
Red has connotations of
energy and strength as well
as passion. Black is a
mysterious colour
associated with power, evil
and the unknown. These
colours are bold and create
strong focus points of the
magazine, which engages
the target audience.

3. From a „KERRANG!‟ Magazine article.
From my Double Page Spread.
From a „Hello‟ Magazine article.
Whilst looking at examples
of magazines I liked the
embedded quote feature,
because it exposes to the
reader an insight to what
the article is about and
lures them to read it. This
is often seen in magazines
(of all genres) so the use
of this feature would be
following the codes and
conventions.

4. From my front cover.
From a „Rock Sound‟ cover.
From an „OK‟ magazine cover.
The anchorage is big and
bold to inform readers who
the artist featured on the
cover is. This feature is
not just used in music
magazines but also gossip
magazines and other
types of magazines, I think
it‟s very effective at
engaging the audience
because it becomes a
main signifier. The „your‟ is
part of the direct mode of
address which also
engages the reader.

5. I included puffs on my cover
to follow the codes and
conventions, for example, the
word “Competition” draw‟s
readers in so they feel they
have a chance of winning,
this is often used in music
magazines. Audiences of
most magazines are enticed
by news, gossip and offers,
so by having trigger words
like “Exclusive” and “Free” on
my cover it would entice
readers.

6. „Q‟
Magazine
contents.
I positioned different
shapes on the pictures in
my contents page so the
readers know what pages
the pictures are related to,
this feature is often used
in music magazines. Also
the shapes are related to
the rock genre (plectrum,
vinyl record & cassette)
and they are quite retro
which I think suits my
magazine style.

7. The torn paper effect on
my Double Page Spread
conforms to the codes and
conventions of a rock
music magazine because
it‟s alternative and informal
like the rock music genre. I
also think it adds a unique
edge to the page.

8. My masthead creates a visual impact
because the pattern has connotations
of fire and movement, which is
associated with excitement and drama,
it makes my magazine unique.
My masthead contains
block writing like most
magazine mastheads but
my masthead is different
because it has sound
waves going through it to
relate to the name
„Amplified‟, usually
mastheads are simple,
bold and memorable but I
think mine is more
creative but still keeping
the memorable side of the
usual codes and
conventions.

9. 10 years ago, magazines
would have advertised that
to contact the magazine
you would have to send
them a letter, however now
the easiest way for my
target audience (teenagers
and young adults) to
communicate is through
social media. They are
digital natives. That is why I
have included details for a
website, Twitter account
and a Facebook page. So
this is developing the codes
and conventions of music
magazines.

10. Yellow is usually seen as a
colour used in pop
magazines, but as that‟s
usually a bright/neon
yellow, I thought if I used a
light mustard yellow it
wouldn‟t be misinterpreted
as a pop genre magazine.
Instead it can be seen as
a crime scene associated
colour and be more
rock/alternative genre
associated. This colour
challenges the codes and
conventions of rock music
magazines.

11. http://dfaldomediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/