3. Codes And Conventions
Masthead- The masthead follows magazine conventions as they are placed at the top left hand
corner. The title/logo is red which contrasts the colour of the picture and creates emphasis on the
main object.
Buzz Words- The buzz words that are used on the cover are “Exclusive”, “Sicko” and “The Next Big
thing” because they attract attention. They also use the buzz word ‘Arctic Monkeys’ because they
want to specifically target the audience and to identify their interests. The words are in red to
contrast against the lead singers blue and white clothes.
Barcode- The barcode is located in the bottom right hand corner and uses up little space which
suggests that the audience should be attracted to the magazine without considering the price.
Main Image- The main image is of a mid shot of the band ‘Arctic Monkeys’ . The band have been
given a vintage look wearing aviator sunglasses and hair styled into a “quiff”. The rest of the band
also have styled their hair swept back as well which emphasises the vintage look. In the background
of the picture it shows a garage which creates an alternative and cool look reflecting the genre of the
magazine. The photograph shows the band looking straight into the camera and addressing the
audience. The image is the main focus of the magazine.
Date and Issue Number- The date is helpful for the reader to identify the issue. The date and issue
number are in black which contrasts against the white background of the image. The font used is a
serif style which is generally used on the NME magazines.
The quote used on the cover ‘Are you ready for us then?’ is cleverly used to reflect the bands
temperamental aura. The cover line under this says ‘On the road and one the run with the new look’
which tells us of the story that is going to be picked up. The magazine front cover is about attracting
people to buy it.
Colour Scheme- The colour scheme of the magazine is red and white which makes the magazine
stand out and look more eye-catching. This follows conventions of a magazine as it’s eyecatching.
The other focuses of the magazine are all capital lettered and use san serif in white and red.
Colloquial Language: Colloquial Language is used a lot on the front cover of this magazine using
words like ‘Sicko’ and ‘Potty Mouth’ in the lure. They may include colloquial language to relate to the
audience.
Main Focus: The main focus of the magazine is printed in the middle-bottom of the page as the
picture dominates most of the page. However, I do think that the title stands out from the page
because of the use of sans serif font, red ,bold ,capital letters with the picture.
4. Institution
Publisher, Company...?
Publisher : NME is published by IPC MEDIA
IPC Media first started publishing NME in 1952 due to the ‘upsurge in the
music scene’. The launch of NME “set the ball rolling with its compilation
of the first official UK record chart - topping that bill as Britain's very first
number one was Al Martino's Here In My Heart.”
“NME is the longest published and most respected music weekly in the
world. Every week it gives its readers the most exciting, most
authoritative coverage of the very best in new music, including award-
winning features, the latest releases, live reviews, the definitive guide to
the best new bands in its Radar section, as well as a regular look back
through the magazine's incredible 60 year heritage.”
“NME has become a truly unique multi-platform media proposition.
Across the magazine, NME.com, NME Video and the brand's live events
and awards, NME reaches over 1.1 million music fans every week.”
IPC Media also produce other magazines like Shooting Times, Chat and
Fate.
“With more than 60 iconic media brands, IPC creates content for multiple
platforms, across print, online, mobile, tablets and events. We engage
with 26 million UK adults - almost two thirds of UK women and over 40%
of UK men. Our award winning portfolio of websites reaches over 25
million global users every month.”
http://www.Ipcmedia.com
5. Ideology – Message, Moral Values?
•NME (National Music Express) is a popular
music magazine which is associated with
genres like rock, indie and alternative.
•It mainly focuses on the well known acts
that are signed to a record deal. In this case,
the well known band ‘Arctic Monkeys’ are
on the front cover.
•The morals that NME has is covering bands
not only for commercial gain and that
critical acclaim is more important that
commercial.
6. Audience
The target audience for NME is the fans of bands and new
music. They also would probably like indie/alternative
music as this is the type of artists that feature in the
magazine. As the magazine has a film feature, they would
probably enjoy reading about wider subjects.
I also will assume that it is targeted predominantly for men
from the UK due to the British featured band on the front
cover who are men.
The target audience is young adults – we can see this from
the front cover as not many younger teenagers are fans of
their music and so the magazine does not cater for them.
Another way we can see that it is focused for older
teenagers is that the ‘BLUR EXCLUSIVE’ plug would appeal
more to older people due to the fact that Blur were popular
in the late 80’s or to people who enjoy listening to that
genre.
However, lately music fans of all ages have been target
because of recent style changes in the magazine have
pushed it away from being aimed solely at a 15-30 age
bracket.
7. Representation
Alex Turner (middle left) has been given a vintage
look wearing aviator sunglasses and hair styled
into a “quiff”. The rest of the band also have styled
their hair swept back as well which emphasises the
vintage look. In the background of the picture it
shows a garage which creates an alternative and
cool look reflecting the genre of the magazine.
This picture also reflects the new image that the
Arctic Monkeys are trying to be perceived like.
They are all not smiling at the camera and are
looking directly into the camera to address the
audience.
Alex Turner is positioned in the middle of the
photograph in front of the other members which
suggests that he is the leader/most popular.
9. Masthead: The masthead is conventionally placed at the top left
hand corner and it is in a white font to make it stand out more against
the pink background. The swirly font used on the front cover attracts
the younger audience.
Colour Scheme: The colours displayed are pink, black and yellow
which are bright and vibrant to make the magazine eye catching. This
is another clue that the target audience is for younger girls due to the
feminine colours used.
Buzz Words: Buzz words are used like ‘secret’ and ‘plus’ conveniently
placed on the front cover to attract the audience. They also use
colloquial language like ‘Bleurghh’ and ‘Blimey’ to try to relate the
target audience more.
Date and Issue:The date is helpful for the reader to identify the issue.
The date and issue number are in black which contrasts against the
pink background of the image..
Barcode: The magazine follows codes and conventions by having a
barcode to indicate the price and issue. The barcode is located in the
bottom left hand corner and uses up little space which suggests that
the audience should be attracted to the magazine without considering
the price.
Lure: The lure is conventionally placed at the bottom of the issue
which displays what is ‘also inside’. This allows the reader to see the
other stories features in the magazine.
Splash: The splash follows conventions by explaining the main story of
the magazine and also having a picture to explain/emphasise further.
Main Image: The main image is of the girl band Little Mix which
relates to the splash. They are posed looking shocked which relates to
the headline ‘ONE OF THESE GIRLS HAS A SECRET’. They look as if they
have been let in on the secret ‘one of these girls’ apparently has.
10. Institution
Publisher, Company...?
Publisher : Top Of The Pops is also published
by IPC MEDIA
“With more than 60 iconic media brands, IPC creates
content for multiple platforms, across
print, online, mobile, tablets and events. We engage
with 26 million UK adults - almost two thirds of UK
women and over 40% of UK men. Our award winning
portfolio of websites reaches over 25 million global
users every month.”
http://www.Ipcmedia.com
11. Ideology
•Top of the Pops is a popular music magazine which is
aimed for younger readers. It was launched in February
1995 published after the TV show.
• It also associated with genres like pop and well known
artists and celebrities that would appeal to a younger
audience. It mainly focuses on celebrities who are well
known or have been on programmes aimed at kids e.g.
Disney stars.
•The main content of the magazine includes
gossip, cringes, fashion and beauty advice.
•The brand identity of the magazine is commercialised
and a happy pre teen magazine.
•It conforms to the ideology and is aimed at a younger
audience who are interested in celebrities and pop
music artists.
• It is published every month
12. It is quite obvious that the magazine is
aimed for a pre-teen target audience.
We can see this due to the simplest
writing style, the narrow vocabulary and
the different uses of colour like the pink
and yellow.
Also they have chosen to include
celebrities that appeal to a younger target
audience like One Direction and Little Mix.
Audience
13. Representation
•The well known girl band Little Mix are
posing on the front cover. They look as if
they have been let in on the secret ‘one of
these girls’ apparently has.
•They are all looking at the camera to
address the audience.
•By featuring Little Mix on the front
cover, it attracts fans of them to buy the
magazine.
•They are aimed at pre-teens so by having
them on the front cover it attracts a wide
audience.
15. Masthead- The masthead follows magazine conventions as they
it is placed at the top of the page. It also a vital element of this
magazine because the logo is what makes it memorable and
recognisable.
Buzz Words- Words like ‘Plus’ attract people to the magazine
and by putting popular artists names like ‘Lady Gaga’ and
‘Azealia Banks’ will create a buzz around the magazine.
Main Image- The main image is of a long shot of the singer Lana
Del Rey. This does not follow magazine conventions because it is
normally a mid-shot.
Splash- The splash follows conventions by explaining the main
story of the magazine and also having a picture to explain
further. In this case it is ‘Inside story on a modern day icon’ and
a picture of her.
Lure- The lure is explaining the other features that are in the
magazine and this also follows conventions.
Colour Scheme- The colour scheme of the magazine is red, black
and white which makes the magazine stand out and look more
eye-catching. This follows conventions of a magazine. The
photograph is in black and white to suit the old fashioned style
of music that Lana Del Rey produces.
Date- The date is helpful for the reader to identify the issue. The
date is located near the barcode so that the reader can find it
quickly.
Barcode- The magazine follows codes and conventions by having
a barcode to indicate the price and issue
Codes And Conventions
16. Institution
Rolling Stone is published by Wenner Media
“Wenner Media, LLC, a privately held company
headquartered in New York City, publishes
Rolling Stone, Us Weekly and Men’s Journal
magazines. The company's three brands
collectively attract a gross monthly audience of
58.1 million”
17. Ideology
•Rolling Stone is a popular music magazine
which is associated with a wide range of
different music genre.
•It mainly focuses on the well known acts
that are signed to a record deal. In this
case, the well known artist ‘Lana Del Rey’.
•Normally on the front cover of their
magazines they use close ups of celebrities
faces with a serious expression but on this
particular cover they have not.
18. Audience
From this issue, we can see that the magazine
would be for young adults as Lana Del Rey’s
fans are younger adults. The magazine is
clearly for people who have a strong interest
in music and want to know more about the
artists featured.
The magazine does not focus on a certain
genre of music for example it has a Lady Gaga
feature (pop), The Killers (Rock) and Azealia
Banks (Rap) all on the front cover. This means
that it has a wider audience range and will
therefore appeal to more people.
19. Representation
•The image is of Lana Del Rey in a white
swimming costume.
•The image is in black and white and the
writing is in red which makes it stand out
more and it also reflects the old fashioned
style of music that she sings.
•The outfit she is dressed in suggests that she
is a well-liked and fancied celebrity.
•She is posing and looking directly at the
camera like she is addressing the audience.
