Codes and Conventions of contents pages of music magazines, featuring Q magazine, NME and Kerrang!

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF
CONTENTS PAGES
Featuring NME, Q magazine and Kerrang

2. Masthead – clear, bold title
(Repeated use of the logo
creates brand awareness)
Page numbers are in large font, in order to
attract readers to this page, easy for the readers
to locate specific pages
This order/organised
arrangement gives a
professional finish
The house-style is continued, the colour
scheme of red, white and black is also
continued.The issue number may
encourage readers to investigate previous
issues.
Popular page numbers are
given – suggests that there
something unique about these
pages, entices readers
‘Review’ – professional element
Hermeneutic codes created
here – which bands are the
best?
Non-musical content –
diversity of preferences from
target audience.The magazine
wants to attract as many
readers as possible
Images are large – colourful
and visual for the audience,
creative narrative tension
The list of artists which
conform to the genre of the
magazine, fulfils social
integrative needs as well as
cognitive needs (uses and
gratification theory)

3. Codes and Conventions contents Q
magazine
• The contents page spans across a double-page spread, this allows the font to be
larger (easier to reader), gives space to give as much information as possible to
fulfil cognitive needs (uses and gratification theory).
• Close-ups/Mid-shots are regularly used throughout the contents page, a more
visual approach and creates personal relationship with the audience (uses and
gratification).
• Popular page numbers are given in large font, in order to locate certain pages
easily and it helps the reader to differentiate between the different information
the magazine provides.The red lines that separates the information are eye-
catching and aesthetically pleasing.
• The organisation of the magazine is clearly categorized, with the logo in the same
position as on the front page creating awareness.

4. Organised – titled and dated, the font fits with
colour scheme (yellow, black and white) –
gender neutral
Mid-shot of artist ‘Slash’, black colour
scheme here has connotations of heavy/
rock metal music which is the genre of the
magazine.
Page numbers are clearly stated –
essential for the audience to locate
certain pages easily.
The repetitive use of the logo creates
brand awareness.
The information that fulfils cognitive needs
(uses and gratification theory) and
hermeneutic codes (Barthes) is arranged in
columns, relating to the age range of their
target audience.
Features – suggests there is something unique
about the magazine, this entices the reader.
Proairetic codes are created here,
positions the audience in the action
of the music, suggests the
importance of live performances to
this magazine’s readers.
This direct mode of address and personal
reference from the magazine’s editor
makes the magazines delivery a little more
informal and creates a personal
relationship between the reader and the
magazine.

5. Codes and Conventions of Kerrang!
• A large image is usually used, the artist relates to the genre of the magazine and
the page number of their interview/article is in bold, eye-catching font.
• The house-style of the magazine is continued throughout the magazine, the
colour-scheme of yellow, black and white is also carried through.
• The images are usually mid-shots with direct mode of address or artists within a
live performance, either way this positions the audience in the middle of the
musical action of the genre.
• An organised layout is common, with the use of columns and large page numbers
to locate certain pages easily.
• Comments from the editor or the artists or even lists of the artists in the
magazine fulfils social integrative needs.

6. Clear title here, the logo repeated again – creates
brand awareness, house-style is used. San serif font
is simplistic, easy to read – professional finish.
List of bands – organised and within
the colour scheme (red, black and
white (gender neutral colour)), its
informative and fulfils social
integrative needs (uses and
gratification theory).
Artists playing live, places the
audience in the middle of the music,
relates to the target audience’s
preferences.
Advertising here, different colour
scheme (yellow) meant to catch the
attention of the reader.
Large colourful images draws the attention of the
reader as it takes up most of the page.
Arrows entice the reader to turn
to that page – narrative tension
created here
Features suggest there is a
different/unique element here –
exclusive offer.
Hermeneutic codes are created
here – what are the No.1 gigs?
Arrow creates narrative tension.
Different styles of font contrast well,
conforming to the preferences of the
target audience – unconventional
approach

7. Codes and Conventions of NME
• No organised layout, relates to the target audiences preferences (in some ways aseptically
pleasing however it is not a look that I would like to achieve).
• The page number are in bold, san serif font that is eye-catching and allows the reader to
locate certain pages quickly.This appeals to the audience as they need to find popular
pages easily.
• Lists of bands, pull quotes are frequently used, despite them being rudimentary in font,
they contain hermeneutic codes that entice the audience (the list of bands can fulfil social
integrative needs also).
• No masthead is used at the top of the page, this could relate to the unprofessional
approach by the magazine in order to relate to their target audiences preferences. Despite
this, a small description is used instead.
• The only professional approach from the magazine is house-style and it is familiar to the
audience. Many colourful action shots are used creating proairetic codes (Barthes) and are
eye-catching to the readers.