codes and conventions

1. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
For my research of editorial pages I first researched regional magazines and then, because I want
my magazine to be a fashion magazine, I also researched famous fashion magazines like Vouge
and Elle. By combining the codes and conventions from both magazines I hope to create the best
possible outcome for my magazine.

2. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Kent Life
Title - ‘welcome’ - inviting / enticing, makes the
reader want to read on.
Picture - Of a middle aged woman, smartly
dressed, smiling (inviting).
Editors note - fairly long paragraph - in black
serif font, looks professional and neat, easy to
read. In a column style. Signed at the bottom
with a signature -makes it seem personal.
Social media tag at the bottom - invites a
younger audience expands the target
audience.
Advert - on the right of the page, dark but
looks ‘sleek’. Name of the brand biggest
writing on the page. Picture of the product.
Contact information at the bottom.
White background so the font stand out.

3. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Essex Life
Title - A question, makes you want to read on.
Picture - Of children on a beach, looks friendly
and inviting. Shot in high key lighting.
Editors note - A long bit of text in black serif
font. Stars with two words in capital letters
capital letters. Separated into paragraphs.
Talks about kids - tries to relate to the age of
the target audience. Ends with a signature and
a picture of the editor, helps you ‘get to know
him’ - smile is friendly and inviting. Also social
media tag of the editor.
Top ten - short, makes you want to read the
rest of the article. Pictures included.
Date at the bottom - organised.
White background so the font stands out.

4. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Absolute Brighton
Title - Largest font on the page, the word
‘letter’ emphasised to make it seem personal.
Picture - Half a picture of a woman in an
expensive dress. Matches the house theme.
Editors note - Fairly long, separated into
paragraphs, in a black font so is easy to read.
Looks tidy and professional and formatted like
a real letter.
Signed at the bottom by the editor.
Name of the magazine at the bottom.
A white background, helps the font to stand
out.

5. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Bristol Magazine
Title - From the Editor - fits in with the letter
convention.
Picture - One of the editor, some others of
products.
Editors note - Quite long in black font, first
letter in a bigger sizer than the rest. Signed
with a signature - makes it seem personal.
Side note - Small paragraphs that are
interesting to read.
Social media tag - more up to date, appeals to
a younger target audience.
Date put at the bottom as well at the title and a
page number - creates order.
White background - everything stands out.

6. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Northern Life
Title - Meet the editor - personal, inviting.
‘Editor’ in a bold and different font.
Picture - One of the editor and one of a
wedding.
Editors note - Very long in columns, first letter
is large. In paragraphs so makes it easier to
read. Black serif font. Signed at the end with a
signature.
Page number placed at the bottom - helps to
create order.
House theme of red, black and white.

7. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Elle
Title - A new season for ELLE - The name of the
brand in a larger font so it stands out and is easily
recognisable.
Picture - One of the new editor smiling, very
friendly and inviting. Some of the old editor other
pictures down the side slightly smaller.
Editors note - Starts with a larger letter A, not too
long but is still in paragraphs. Black serif font
looks professional. Signed at the bottom with
‘love’ and a signature - signed as if it was a
personal letter.
Very small social media tag - helps people stay
connected between issues.
A white background - Helps the pieces to stand
out.

8. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Harpers Bazaar
Title - ‘We are family’ - inviting, friendly. In large
serif font fits the house theme. Also says ‘editors
letter’ at the top - informative.
Picture - One linking it to the front cover, other
well photographed pictures scattered around the
edge but in a neat way. Another of the editor at
the side of the editors note.
Editors note - Three paragraphs, quite small, serif
font. Easy to read.
Some writing on the rest of the pictures - helps to
link this page to whats inside the magazine,
makes you want to read on.
A white background - Helps the pictures and font
to stand out.

9. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF THE TITLE
The titles tended to be two things, either a friendly
welcoming on or one that says something about the
editor for example ‘meet the editor’.
The majority where in a serif font.
Two of the magazines I researched featured
something about families in the title one with the title
‘we are family’ which is very inclusive and inviting.
The others were very welcoming which makes the
reader want to read on
Others stated something about the editor but made it
in such a way that its as if you are being spoke to
personally. This direct mode of address helps to
create a personal relationship with the reader making
them want to read on - uses and gratifications theory.

10. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF THE PICTURES
When doing my research into the pictures I found that
there wasn't a pattern to the amount of pictures but there
were two types of pictures.
The first where ones about the editors letter or bits about
whats inside the article. If they were of people they were
often smiling which gives a welcoming feel inviting the
reader to read on. They were shot in high key lighting also.
A common convention was also the second type of picture
which was on of the editor often placed next to the editors
letter, this helps to make it more personal and so you can
‘get to know’ the editor making the reader want to hear
what they have to say. The editor is also smiling in all of
the pictures I saw and giving direct mode of address (with
the exception of one) which also creates a personal
relationship with the reader - uses and gratifications
theory.

11. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF THE EDITORS NOTE
All the editors notes I looked at were written in black serif
font in a paragraph type format. All are signed at the end
by the editor and sometimes a signature is also placed
there.
The content starts out generally talking about whats going
on in the world or around them, whats in the issue is also
placed carefully within the text as to link it to the rest of the
magazine and make the reader want to read it. It is formal
yet sometimes the editors personal experiences are put in
there to make it more down to earth.
Although it seems like a long block of text it is easy to read
and enjoyable.
Often some of the paragraphs start with a larger letter. The
font is fairly small.

12. MAGAZINE EDITORIAL PAGE CODES AND CONVETIONS
Whilst doing my research I found that both regional magazines and fashion magazines were very very
familiar and followed the same codes and conventions. I plan to make my editors page look similar to
the ones I have researched.