Summary of Research into Music Magazines

1. Summary of Research into Music
Magazines

3. Conventional Layout
Masthead - Always placed at
the top of the page in a big, bold
and sans serif style font.
Close-up image - of
person/celebrity regarding
the main story.
Effective use of the left third –
allows stories to be seen when
overlapped on shelves in-store.
Barcode, Date and Price
– allows audience to depict
the issue and what they’re
buying and how much for.
Obvious cover story –
dominant font, can
usually contrast in colour.
Several coverlines
– show lots of stories
are included inside
the magazine and
make it look more
informative and
interesting.

4. Page heading –
large dominant font;
easy to determine
what the page is
Serif font – about.
Typically easier to
read; regarded as a
more feminine font
and makes the page
look more
interesting.
Social links – links to
the psychographics of
the audience.
Images and
sub-images –
hint what the
other stories may
be about.

5. Bleeding across the
gutter – The image runs on
across two pages – allows
more room for text other
pieces of information.
Kicker – starting
article off with a
kicker draws
attention to the
start of the text.
Pull quote – Gives
insight to what the
article might be about.
Blocks of Text –
conventional for a
double page spread –
usually some sort of
interview.

6. Conventions of Form
From my research it is clear that there are
several conventional features to include on the
front cover these are: following the route of
the eye, efficiently uses the left third, has an
ordered layout, a dominant masthead, cover
story and cover lines and a main image taken
as a close-up.
There are also other conventions such as
adding an issue number, price and barcode,
using sans serif font for a majority of the front
cover – including the masthead and cover
stories.

7. Conventions of Genre
Billboard is a ‘all-one-genre’ music magazine and therefore changes its genre by
reflecting the genre they are focusing on this time. For example, if it’s pop – lots of
bright colours and colloquial language will be used to connote a fun and young vibe.
However, this changes when something such as ‘R ‘n B’ is selected by using things such
as a more sophisticated colour scheme (usually black and white) and a more formal
choice of language. This helps to signify an elegant and classy feel.
Pop Issue -vibrant
colours used as part
of mise-en-scene.
R ‘n B Issue –
Black and white
colour scheme used
to connote
sophistication and
reflect the mood of
R’n B music.

8. Mode of Address
Billboard’s mode of address is happy and
lively. They portray this through their use of
fairly colloquial language. The use of sans serif
fonts on all of the front covers connote a
masculine feel to the magazine. The colour
used within the magazine also uses the
colours featured inside the masthead on the
front cover. This again, represents the mode of
address as enjoyable and cheery and appeals
to the target audience.

9. Use of Technical Elements
Costume
Black or dull coloured clothing to
connote sophistication and classiness.
It also gives the magazine imagery a
clean vibe.
Lighting
High key lighting is used throughout all
the imagery to make the magazine seem
fresh and modern. It also helps to
emphasise the celebrity’s features.

10. Camerawork
A majority of the images from within
the magazines are taken from a mid-shot
or a close-up. This is to display
what the artist is wearing and also
display their body language.
Mise-en-scene
Each magazine uses the elements of
mise-en-scene including: props, lighting
and costume. In the image below, you
can see that Lady Gaga is wearing a lot of
jewellery which connotes a ‘rock’ vibe.