The document analyzes the codes and conventions used across three music magazine double page spreads. It summarizes that all three magazines: 1) use an image that takes up half the spread in either a mid-shot or close-up, 2) have the second half of the spread use a white background to make text easier to read, and 3) layout text in three columns, following typical magazine conventions. The document provides examples of other techniques used individually by each magazine.

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF A
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

2. Image takes up half of
the double page spread
Direct mode of address,
personal aspect, creates
connection with audience
Black and white
image, ties in with
house colours
A lot of skin on show,
chest only concealed
by jewellery,
sexualised, object of
male gaze (reference
to Mulvey)
Line columns, organised
Initial of artist, links artist
in, keeps with house
colours (red)
Artist’s name headline,
no masthead
Mid-shot, face and
facial expressions still
clearly visible

3. CODES AND COVENTIONS OF Q
MAGAZINE
• The enlarged bright red L which is displayed behind the text links to Lady Gaga (the
featured artist) but is also in a house style colour. This is something I want to
incorporate into my own magazine as I like the style it creates.
• Q have used a whole side of the double page spread to display an image, this image
is a mid-shot so that you can still see the facial expressions of the featured artist but
also reveals the top half of the torso which in this case is required as an object of the
male gaze which gives a sexual appeal to the male part of the audience. I like the
idea of an image taking up half the double spread as it makes more of a statement
about the featured artist and I feel like a masthead is not required as the image itself
stands as the masthead of the double spread.
• The main image has been edited from colour to greyscale, this means that the whole
double page spread is keeping consistent with the three house style colours of black,
white and red.

4. Pull quote from article,
draws in audience to
story, affective needs
(uses and grats)
Image takes up half the
double page spread
Drop cap for beginning
letter in article
Line columns,
organised
Introduction to article,
draws in reader to
story
Smaller image
relating to article
Mid-shot, gives clear
view of facial
expression
Direct mode of address, use of gratification,
personal connection to the audience

5. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF NME
MAGAZINE
• The main image takes up half of the double page spread, this is a common
convention in most magazines and is something I would incorporate within my
own magazine, it is on the left hand side of the page meaning it will be the first
thing the audience sees so this gives the audience a initial idea of what the article
is about and draws the attention of the audience to the article.
• The colour scheme of the double page spread is not consistent with the house
colours on the front cover (Black, white and red) and includes in the colour
palette orange and brown. I would want to keep a consistent house style colour
palette throughout my magazine as I feel it looks more organised and keeps a
flow of consistency.
• The drop cap for the beginning letter of the article is in a much larger font
compared to the size font of the article, this is an effective way of grabbing the
audiences attention as they stand out and give visual strength to the page.

6. Main image takes up
half the double page
spread
Low key lighting,
shadowing across the
feature artists face, implies
something of his emotional
well-being? Preferred
reading? (Hall, reception
theory)
Bright background colour
contrasts with low key
lighting, enhances auburn
hair of feature artist
Line columns, neat
and organised
White background, simplistic,
makes black font stand out
Drop cap, creates visual
strength
Colour
coordination
Variety of fonts for
masthead

7. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF CLASH
MAGAZINE
• The masthead has a variety of different fonts, name of artist in a bold sans
serif font contrasting with the serif font of the beginning of the masthead,
this makes the name of the artist stand out more to the audience.
• Low-key lighting is used on the featured artist which creates shadowing
across his face and he is not looking directly at the camera but instead at
the ground, this could be implying the article gives an insight of his
emotional and mental well being and by the use of lighting and lack of
direct mode of address the magazine could be suggesting that he is
depressed. This will draw in the audience to read the article, especially
fans, to discover what is wrong with him.
• The lack of other images and pull quotes gives a clean and tidy look to the
double page spread.

8. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF ALL 3
MAGAZINES
• All three magazines have the image take up half of the spread with
either a mid-shot or a close-up photo, I plan to use a mid shot photo
for my magazine so that I can use mise en scene (specifically clothing)
to match into the colour scheme.
• All three magazines have the second half of the spread with a white
background which makes text stand out more and easier to read, I
plan to use this to follow the convention.
• All three magazines layout text in columns of 3, this is a typical
convention in all magazines and I plan to follow this as I feel 2
columns would make the spread look too sparse.