Codes and Conventions of front covers of CLASH and INDIE magazine

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF
CLASH MAGAZINE

4. Masthead – bold, white
and central.
Main image - mid shot,
concentration on the
artist, powerful body
language.
Direct mode of address –
creates a personal
relationship with the
audience.
Pull quote –
creates
narrative
tension
Anchor text – professional,
introduces the reader to the
magazine
House style – subtle
colours, mise-en-scene
matches with the colour
scheme.Barcode; prominent on
every magazine cover for
easy purchasing. Facial expression create
hermeneutic codes

5. INDIE – Codes and Conventions of Front Covers
• Mast head is bold, eye-catching, white (agrees with subtle colour scheme) recognisable to
existing audiences, large enough to create brand awareness.
• The cover is very plain, little text surrounding the image usually used to create narrative
tension and fulfil cognitive needs, powerful mid-shot/close-up
• Gender neutral colour scheme, subtle house style (unconventional as bright colours are
usually used to attract the readers eye)
• Text is minimal and simple, the image and the mast head attract the readers eye the most as
they contrast against the background.
• Body language and facial expressions create hermeneutic codes and narrative tension.
• Mise-en-scene is unusual and eye-catching (as this is the genre of the magazine.)