NME and KERRANG! music magazine analysis.

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS

2. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF NME
Front Cover
• Usually has the header at top and centre, this usually is something to do with a band (usually seen throughout the
magazine) meaning it will attract an audience interested in the band.
• The masthead pops out due to the contrasting colours which catches the eye and may attract a younger audience.
The masthead is also always situated in the top left corner, which means it is easily spotted.
• The main image in the magazine is usually goes slightly over the NME logo which makes the image stand out more,
which is usually a popular band or singer meaning it is recognisable. Also direct mode of address is usually used
from the picture and usually the people are in a pose which represents their genre of music.
• There is also usually a sell line, which is bold and interesting.
Contents Page
• The NME logo is still situated in the top left corner in bold contrasting colours.
• There is a band index down the side which makes it easier for readers to find their interests.
• The house style stays the same still using bold contrasting colours and the same fonts as on the front cover.
Double Page Spread
• There is usually a quote in big bold font and takes up a lot of the space on the double page spread which attracts its
target audience.
• The image usually takes up at least half of the double page spread and there are usually three columns with writing
and includes a bigger font of quotes from the band/singer.

3. CODES AND CONVENTIONS
OF KERRANG!
Front Cover
• The masthead is scratchy and big and bold meaning it stands out and being scratch relates to the target audience
and fits the rock theme of the magazine.
• The main image in the magazine is usually goes slightly over the Kerrang logo which makes the image stand out
more, which is usually a popular band or singer meaning it is recognisable. Also direct mode of address is usually
used from the picture and usually the people are in a pose which represents the rock music. Also the image is
usually in mid to extreme close up.
• There is also usually a sell line, which is bold and interesting.
• The house theme changes with the band that is on the front cover, usually the font fits the type of music present.
Contents Page
• The Kerrang logo is in a bright yellow box which attracts the target audience as they are bold contrasting colours.
• There is usually a picture which takes up at least half of the contents page, which is still usually of a band with a
quote which attracts the target audience.
• The house style stays the same still using bold contrasting such as black, white ,red and yellow colours and the
same fonts as on the front cover.
Double Page Spread
• There is usually a quote in big bold font and takes up a lot of the space on the double page spread which attracts its
target audience.
• The image usually takes up at least half of the double page spread and there are usually three columns with writing
and includes a bigger font of quotes from the band/singer.
• The background is also usually a very dark colour, which reiterates the rock theme of the magazine.

4. FRONT COVERS OF
NME AND
KERRANG!

5. Image uses direct mode of
address, as it is more like
she is looking directly at
you and feels like she is
addressing you personally
rather than someone
else.(uses and gratification
theory)
Also the image is in front
of the NME logo which
means that the image
seems more 3D and
realistic.
Sell lines being in
circles with content of
the magazine shows
that this is what is
inside the magazine.
Quote on the front
cover, makes create
hermeneutic code.
Entices the audience
to read more as it has
fulfilling content.
Headline goes out of the
house colours and regular
font. The font is then broken
up meaning her music maybe
a bit more alternative. It is the
largest bit on the front cover
meaning it is the main story.
Header- Shows that
magazine has interesting
content and can fulfill
cognitive needs. It stands
out due to bold
contrasting colours and
fits house style.
Band names at the bottoms shows wide
range of content in magazine; fulfills
person relationship with one or more of
band names (uses and gratification
theory).
Masthead – Bold
contrasting colours which
make the initials stand out,
making readers familiar
with magazine.

6. Masthead – Bold
contrasting colours which
make the initials stand out,
making readers familiar
with magazine. In white as
one of the special edition
covers.
Quote on the front cover,
makes create
hermeneutic code.
Entices the audience to
read more as it has
fulfilling content.
Special edition states
that it is one of a kind so
more people are likely to
buy it. Not matching
usual house style.
Image uses direct mode of
address, as it is more like
she is looking directly at
you and feels like she is
addressing you personally
rather than someone
else.(uses and gratification
theory)
Band names at the side
shows wide range of content
in magazine; fulfills person
relationship with one or more
of band names (uses and
gratification theory).
Headline is just artists name, in
a large font in all capital letters
so it stands out, conventionally
the largest text on front cover.
Keeps within house colours
(red, white & black)
Artists hair fits into the house colours and
makes the magazine appear more simplistic
as other colours used are then only black &
white, making this issue seem classy which
goes with the genre of music the artist
produces (receptive theory).

7. Header- Shows that
magazine has interesting
content and can fulfill
cognitive needs.
Masthead - font is broken up
meaning the music in the
magazine is rock and
alternative. Bold and
contrasting colours in
capitals make it stand out.
Explanation mark suggested
shouting which fits with
music style and
demographic.
Quote on the front cover,
makes create
hermeneutic code.
Entices the audience to
read more as it has
fulfilling content.
Band names at the bottoms shows wide
range of content in magazine; fulfills
person relationship with one or more of
band names (uses and gratification
theory).
Sell line in a puff,
flash of information
stands out due to
contrasting colours.
Image uses direct mode of
address, as it is more like
she is looking directly at
you and feels like she is
addressing you personally
rather than someone
else.(uses and gratification
theory)
Hand over mouth
suggests the artist being
scared which relates to
the quote, which entices
the audience (creates
hermeneutic code)
Headline is in capitals, in
bold and contrasting
colours. With the use of
‘vs’ suggests competition
which may entice the
reader.

8. The image is in front of
the NME logo which
means that the image
seems more 3D and
realistic.
Image uses direct mode of
address, as it is more like
she is looking directly at
you and feels like she is
addressing you personally
rather than someone
else.(uses and gratification
theory)
Masthead - font is broken up
meaning the music in the
magazine is rock and
alternative. Bold and
contrasting colours in capitals
make it stand out. Explanation
mark suggested shouting
which fits with music style and
demographic.
Header- Shows that
magazine has interesting
content and can fulfill
cognitive needs.
Headline – bold and
contrasting colours, fit the
house colours. Conventionally
the largest text on the front
cover.
Band names at the bottoms shows wide
range of content in magazine; fulfills
person relationship with one or more of
band names (uses and gratification
theory).
Free poster special,
suggests this magazine
being out of the
conventions of other
KERRANG! Magazines
and entices the reader as
offers a gift so affects them
personally (uses and
gratification theory).

9. CONTENTS
PAGES OF NME
AND KERRANG!

10. The logo, continuity from the
front cover, familiarizes the
reader with the magazine.
Conventionally in the top left
hand corner.
Wide variety of bands
promises to fulfill the
cognitive needs of a lot of
different readers as there are
many different genres of
bands available.
The advertisement and
subscription is conventionally
in a different colour to house
colours, so it stands out.
Advertisement also entices
reader to buy the next issue.
Title in house style and bold and
contrasting colours which makes it
stand out.
Subheading make it easy
to navigate through the
magazine. Easy for reader
to fulfill needs and find the
right category.
Image suggests band are
playing live, which means there
could be an insight into there
performances and concert may
make reader feel they’re there,
creates relationship with reader.
House colours are still used (red
& white). The use of an arrow
encourages the reader to turn the
page (powerless to find out
needs model)
Snapshot of story indicating
to the reader that the story
could be interesting,
including page number
making it easy to navigate.

11. The logo, continuity from the
front cover, familiarizes the
reader with the magazine.
Conventionally in the top left
hand corner.
Wide variety of bands
promises to fulfill the
cognitive needs of a lot of
different readers as there are
many different genres of
bands available.
Snapshot of story indicating
to the reader that the story
could be interesting,
including page number
making it easy to navigate.
The advertisement and
subscription is conventionally
in a different colour to house
colours, so it stands out.
Advertisement also entices
reader to buy the next issue.
Title in house style and bold and
contrasting colours which makes it
stand out. Doesn’t follow conventions
says this week instead of contents,
directly addresses reader.
Subheading make it easy
to navigate through the
magazine. Easy for reader
to fulfill needs and find the
right category.
Image suggests band are
playing live, which means there
could be an insight into there
performances and small concert
suggests they’re there creates
personal relationship.
House colours are still used (red
& white). The use of an arrow
encourages the reader to turn the
page (powerless to find out
needs model)

12. Subheading make it easy
to navigate through the
magazine. Easy for reader
to fulfill needs and find the
right category.
The advertisement and
subscription is conventionally
in a different colour to house
colours, so it stands out.
Advertisement also entices
reader to buy the next issue.
Conventionally in bottom right
corner.
The logo, continuity from the
front cover, familiarizes the
reader with the magazine.
Conventionally in the top left
hand corner.
Image takes up half of the page
and is conventionally on the left
side of the page. The band is also
using direct mode of address
which creates a personally
relationship with reader (use and
gratification theory).
The ‘this could be you’
entices the reader to read
on so that they could meet
the band, creates
opportunities for reader.
Snapshot of story indicating
to the reader that the story
could be interesting and
competition makes reader
interested.
Title in house style and bold and
contrasting colours which makes it
stand out.
Puff indicates the reader
could win a prize and
reader wants to know if
they have won
(powerless need to find
out model).

13. The advertisement and subscription is
conventionally in a different colour to house
colours, so it stands out. Advertisement also
entices reader to buy the next issue.
Conventionally in bottom right corner.
The logo, continuity from the
front cover, familiarizes the
reader with the magazine.
Conventionally in the top left
hand corner, doesn't’t follow
conventions as in the middle.
Subheading make it easy
to navigate through the
magazine. Easy for reader
to fulfill needs and find the
right category.
Image takes up half the
page so follow
conventions but takes up
top half which doesn’t.
Image uses direct mode of
address so creates
relationship with reader
(uses and gratification
theory). Also the artist
tilting glasses down might
be suggestive and create a
further relationship with
reader
Another title in house style and bold
and contrasting colours which
makes it stand out. Doesn’t follow
conventions says this week instead
of contents, directly addresses
reader.
Title in house style and bold and
contrasting colours which makes it
stand out.
Snapshot of the story inside
the magazine, showing the
main story which entices
the reader as it may look
interesting.

14. DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD OF NME
AND KERRANG!

15. Title is fragmented and
broken up, which fits in with
the alternative music Lily
Allen makes and her rugged
look.
Title is in black and
white, which fits with
NME’s house colour,
the words are also
jagged and different
sizes to fit with the
alternative
demographic.
Text separated into 4 colours which fits the
conventions of NME magazine, however the
text takes up very little of the page which is
unconventional as it is the main story and is
usually longer in a music magazine.
Large image used to attract the
intended audience who are
interested in Lily Allen and since it
is such a big image it could be
used as a poster.
Title in a quote creates
hermeneutic code. Makes
reader want to read the
whole story.
Image uses direct
mode of address, as
it is more like she is
looking directly at you
and feels like she is
addressing you
personally rather than
someone else.(uses
and gratification
theory)
Clothes are quite minimalistic and
casual, which may relate to what
the reader is wearing. Contrasted
with dark eye make up which
suggests a young, edgy and care
free which relates to demographic.
Caption draws in the
reader and promises
interesting content and
entertainment. Lily
Allen is red matches
house colours and her
shirt, which reinforces
main focus point.

16. Image uses direct
mode of address, as
it is more like she is
looking directly at you
and feels like she is
addressing you
personally rather than
someone else.(uses
and gratification
theory)
Large image used to attract the
intended audience who are
interested in Artic Monkeys and
since it is such a big image it
could be used as a poster.
Caption draws
in the reader
and promises
interesting
content and
entertainment
There are three columns of text
which fit the conventions of NME
magazine not all music magazines
as they usually have a longer story.
Puff indicates where band
are playing and uses the
house colours which
reinforces which magazine
you’re reading.
The bands style is alternative and casual
which relates the demographic reading the
magazine. Messy hair suggests young and
edgy teenagers which also relates to
demographic of NME.
Title is in fancy
cursive font which
might indicate the
band is changing its
image from
alternative to more
classy.
Title is also is
also in black so
it fits the house
colours

17. Large image used to attract the
intended audience who are
interested in My Chemical
Romance and since it is such a
big image it could be used as a
poster.
The story fits in within the
conventions of
KERRNAG! Magazine as
it is in two columns,
however text is usually on
the right side where as
here it is situated on the
left so it doesn’t fit all of
the conventions
Title is unconventionally small and all
in capitals and uses bold and
contrasting colours so it still catches
the readers eye.
The advertisement and subscription is
conventionally in a different colour to
house colours, so it stands out.
Advertisement also entices reader to buy
the next issue. This is not conventionally
in the double page spread of KERRANG!
Title in a quote
creates hermeneutic
code. Makes reader
want to read the
whole story.
One of the members of
the band is using direct
mode of address which
creates and personally
relationship with the
reader (uses and
gratification theory).
Where as the other band
members are looking
away which may create
mystery.
The clothes are very alternative
and all members of the band
are wearing leather jackets
which suggest the band is
edgy.
Colours in title are
the same as the
main member of the
bands clothes &
hair, which
reinforces the main
focus point of article.

18. Large image used to attract the
intended audience who are
interested in My Chemical
Romance and since it is such a
big image it could be used as a
poster.
Image uses direct
mode of address, as
it is more like she is
looking directly at you
and feels like she is
addressing you
personally rather than
someone else.(uses
and gratification
theory)
Title is large and in white so fits house
colours. Uses a quote which creates
hermeneutic code, encourage the reader
to read on. Using the work ‘your’ directly
involves the reader (uses and
gratification theory).
The bands style is alternative relating to the
genre of music being produced. Also they’re
outfits are very minimalistic and casual which
could relate to what the reader is wearing
The text is in two columns which
fits the conventions of
KERRANG! Magazine, however
it is a small amount of text, so
doesn't’t fit the conventions of
most music magazines.
Text remind you
what you what you
are reading and
uses the house
colours which
reinforces which
magazine you’re
reading.
Caption draws
in the reader
and promises
interesting
content and
entertainment