A powerpoint of the common codes and conventions I found in the analysis of three music magazines : Fader, Vibe and Clash

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
R&B MAGAZINE
FRONT COVERS

2. THE FADER
Direct mode of address -
looking at the reader,
helping to develop a
personal relationship
between reader and
model (uses and grats)
Bold, simple selling title -white contrasts
against the darker background, as well as
keeping consistency with title font colour.
Entices fans.
Title is bold and eye catching,
sometimes shortened just to the
F, it’s recognisable to the
reader along with the traditional
colour white used in other
issues
High key lighting – highlights
her face while contrasting
with the darker background,
reader’s eye automatically
focuses on her
Issue number
consistent in font
colour, bold 99 stands
out beneath the logo
Close up shot – she is the
focus, stands out on the page.
Her expression is clear to the
reader and a personal
relationship can be developed
Subtitle – contrasts to the
traditional font and colour,
therefore eye catching. The font
is simple and easy to read, gold
colour being subtle yet elegant.
Framing – main features
e.g. eyes, nose, mouth
are all features of
interest so are centred

3. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
THE FADER MAGAZINE
• FADER’s masthead is bold, simple and recognisable to the reader. It is the same on each issue, with the
exception of sometimes shortened to the F in the box . This keeps it recognisable, and is a common trend
in music magazines. The headline matches the mast head as the font is also bold and simple and provides
minimal information which intrigues readers as to what the spread will be about.
• The house style is white and then the colour of the image behind the masthead, in this case white, black
and the gold font to the side which contrasts the traditional font. This draws attention to what the issue
is focusing on other than music “Fall Fashion”.
• The layout of the cover is kept simplistic and minimal, contrasting to other music magazines. The
magazine is image driven, keeping the focus on the artist and their music. This simplistic yet effective
look suits the younger target audience of around 25 years old, whilst keeping a stylish, neat look.
• The artist is the main feature of the magazine with the focus of the reader’s eye being driven directly to
her. This is common in music magazines, and consistent in all of FADER’s issues. This is the main feature
to attract an audience and a convention I feel I will use when I create my magazine cover.

4. VIBE
Masthead is large and bold,
eye catching to the reader.
Consistent font ensures
familiarity to the reader
Framing – artist is main feature
of cover, centred to show interest
and importance
High key lighting -
highlights the artist and
matches the light
background of the image
while contrasting with
the black font
Mid shot – shows artist’s body in
a seemingly candid photo.
Shows the audience that he’s
relaxed and fun, creates an
inviting image
Article information draws
readers in as they want to know
what the rest is about. Use of
‘Tyler, The Creator’ invites and
intrigues fans who will want to
read about him
Title of main article – white text
box stands out in contrast to
the grey of the image behind it.
Use of alliteration in “Freedom,
Fatherhood & The Future” is
effective as summarises the
article in an interesting way.
Popular TV show title “Breaking
Bad” cleverly used to describe
the artist
The use of black and pink is kept consistent in the
font through the cover of the issue, creating a
neat and aesthetically pleasing effect

5. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
VIBE MAGAZINE
• The masthead of the magazine is kept bold and simple, therefore effective in keeping recognisable to the
reader. The black contrasts lighter background and is eye catching. The masthead is the same in size and
shape for each issue, with the font colour often changing.
• The masthead is consistent with the magazine’s house style, as is the placement of the artist who
overlaps the I and the B in VIBE which is common throughout all issues of the magazine.
• The layout is kept simple, with the image of the cover artist being the main focus of the issue. This
contrasts to other music magazines which tend to have busy front covers containing hints to what their
articles may entail. Less information keeps the cover looking stylised with less distractions.
• The artist being the main feature of the cover is a common trend in music magazines and one I think is
effective and will use. In this issue, Vibe have opted for a lesser common feature of the artist with his
eyes closed, instead of looking straight ahead in what is known as direct mode of address. This is still
effective though I think I’ll use direct mode of address to develop a connection.

6. CLASH
Short, bold masthead is
recognisable to the reader.
Text is centred and white font
stands out against the blue
background
Direct mode of address –
artists looking out towards
the readers develops a
personal relationship with
the model (uses and grats)
List of artists names is
useful to the reader to
fulfil cognitive needs (use
and grat)
Side lighting used -
left side of the image is
darker, creates a
contrast in the image
Close up shot shows clear
expression and a personal
relationship can be developed
with the reader. Close up
shows the artist is the focus
and the image is centred –
this shows that main features
e.g. eyes, nose, mouth are all
features of interest
Title font keeps
consistency in a
minimalistic front cover,
though in a different font
to the masthead
Date of issue keeps
readers informed and up
to date with the
magazine’s content
“BEHIND THE $WAG OF A$AP
ROCKY” describes exclusive content
and intrigues readers

7. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
CLASH MAGAZINE
• Magazine masthead is large, bold font in the centre of the page. The artist’s image is placed over the
masthead, a common feature in music magazines that I may use as I think it creates an effective layout.
• The artist is the main feature of the magazine with the focus of the reader’s eye being driven directly to
him. This is common in music magazines, and consistent in all of the Clashes issues. This is the main
feature to attract an audience and a convention I feel I will use when I create my magazine cover.
• There is minimal font on the cover which is unusual for a music magazine. However, I think it is very
effective in terms of looking simplistic and stylised, showing the feature is on the musician.
• Their house style is consistent throughout every issue so is recognisable to the buyer. This is a common
convention used in music magazines and one I intend to use.

8. COMMON CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF MUSIC
MAGAZINES
FRONT COVERS
• Large, bold mastheads in capital letters either centred or to the left of the page
• Close up shot of artist on the centre of the page, looking directly at the camera (direct mode of address),
other than in the case of Vibe, which develops a personal relationship with the reader (uses and grat)
• Bold subtitles focused at the bottom of the page
• Minimalistic in terms of little text surrounding the image about other articles – shows the artist is the
focus