The document analyzes the codes and conventions used in the contents pages of several music magazines, including VIBE, Q, and NME. It discusses design elements like prominent images of models/artists, placement of information, use of colors, and advertisements. The key conventions highlighted for each magazine include VIBE's sensual color scheme and unusual layout, Q's focus on Adele to appeal to fans, and NME's separated masthead and subscription advertisement. The document considers how these conventions could be applied to create an effective contents page for a new music magazine.

1. Production Task-
Research into
Codes and Conventions of
CONTENTS
PAGE
Harry Gupta

2. Incorporating the
magazine logo into the
background works in
promoting the brand
identity, helping to tie all
the elements on the page
together. It fills a large
gap in the page, without
being overwhelming .
The model is pictured
topless, displaying all
of his tattoos, some
of which representing
Christianity. He is
wearing his cap
backwards- displaying
rebellion and
controversy and
‘bling’ pieces of
jewelry including
some gold caps on his
teeth (the models
trade mark) all of
these elements
promote youth and
rebellion as the
model doesn't’t look
particularly old. In
adition he wears a
smaller head, around
his neck- displaying
hard rock possibly.
The layout of the word
‘Contents’ is unusual
and displays the
uniqueness of Vibe
magazine- displaying
that they are different
form other selling music
magazines, promoting
the fact that you should
buy their magazine due
to their quirkiness.
The layout of the columns,
informing you (the reader)
of why youre at the
contents section of the
magazine- to uncover
information of what is in
the magazine. It is
positioned on the left hand
side of the page, and draws
the attention to the model-
which is unusual, due to
the purpose of the
contents page being about
the contents of the music
magazine- not the model
who is usual the main focal
point of the front cover.
The color scheme could be
suggestive and connote
passion and lust being a
sensual romantic red/deep
heavy burgundy. His gaze-
squint towards the audience
develops an uncomfortable
feeling as it displays anger.

3. VIBE Codes and Conventions
• The masthead is a blended color- similar to the background which emphasizes the model in full focus and
creates a sensual feel due to the color mix of burgundy and dark red. The colors both connote romance
and danger- possibly signifying the models distressed position. The danger is multiplied when the
combination of heavy chains, black skin and gold teeth and placed together; surrendering to the typically
held stereotype of a black American thug’.
• The models intimidating stare into the readers eyes, creates a personal direct address (uses and grat) and
creates a violence in the models position. This is a useful tip for when I create my music magazine. He is
shown displaying two tattoos on his chest, one reading “God Bless All” and the other regarding something
to do with justice. This represents him as a religious man, which leads the reader to raise the hermeneutic
question of why he is so angry, and tugging on the chains
• The layout of the magazine is fairly straight forward, it is a quirky design as you have the model as the focal
point, where usually the contents itself is the center point. Vibe has positioned the column to the left
hand side and has the word contents in big bold white text contrasting with the red background dispersed
into separate lines.
• The sub cover lines of ‘fashion’ are bold, italics and in a contradictory font.
• I will uses most of these conventions and find them very useful to learn and will take all of this new
information on board whilst making my music magazine. I will keep the house style consistant and the
models in keeping with the design layout of the page.
• They have also used the big ‘V’ to fill up empty space on the page which I find would be very beneficial for
them. I intend on using this technique.

4. Headline of mag is ‘Q’
and is headlined along
with the contents part-
directing attention to
that part- the title. There
is a higher significance of
these letters as they're in
bold white text against
black and red borders
(bold striking colors) the
red underneath the ‘Q’
continues the house style
of the magazine
throughout the contents
page.
The column displaying
most of the information
on the contents page has
been displayed on the
left hand side much like
the VIBE magazine. It
continues the house style
of red, black and white
and bold large red
number points.
The main image dominates
the page, much like the
VIBE magazine. The model
Adele (famous singer and
songwriter- keeping the
theme of the music
magazine) and she is
connecting with the
audience in an intense
stare. This creates a
personal bond with the
reader. Uses and grat.
Subtle make up to the face
and pale skin complexion,
represents purity- an ideal
role model for younger
children encouraging
parents to buy the
magazine.
Cover line other than the
obvious ‘Contents’ text is
the purpose behind the
image of Adele. It marks
the number 78 and
Adele- indicating the
page number and the
information.
Q has included at the
bottom right hand corner a
review section. The layout
is very simple and neat
using rectangular boxes to
fit a header inside with the
logo ‘Q’ in bold white and
against the striking red
again to separate itself
from the rest of the page.
It also continues the house
style.

5. Q Codes and Conventions
• Q has a very distinctive masthead, with the Q logo cornered
off in a red box separating itself from the rest of the black
page. It draws attention to the mast head as well as they
placed next to it ‘Contents’ which applies purpose for the
whole page- giving it a title.
• They have used a prominent figure in the music industry to
be a model for the contents page. This will increase the
target audience for the magazine as it will appeal to the
Adele fans.
• The focal point of the page is Adele, and she is seen staring
at the reader which imposes a hermeneutic question on it’s
own and creates a personal connection with the audience
(uses and grat) I intend on using this technique when I
create my contents page in my music magazine.

6. Clear masthead-
bold and red font.
Outlined with white
and filled in with
red. Capitals and
next to NME- ‘THIS
WEEK’ signifying
the importance of
the page.
Band on front acting as
models- aimed at
different target
audience to the
previous magazines of
VIBE and Q. NME is
appealing to an older
audience.
Font of text is
mainly black-
however there is a
house style of black
white and red. Bold
text for
letters/words which
are seen to be more
important that the
others.
The information for the actual
context page is again like the
previous magazines, VIBE & Q
which have the column of text
pushed over to the left hand
side of the page. The title of
the column ‘BAND INDEX’ is in
bold black capitals and the
information with page
numbers is in red text. It is
shown that the additional
important information is in
red.
The focal point of the
page is not really the
image- although being
centered in the middle –
there is more text and
information around the
image, making that the
focal point of the page.
There is an advertisement
on the bottom center of
the page for a subscription
for the magazine for
monthly payment. This is
the first advertisement on
the contents pages that
we have seen. This creates
realism for the reader and
indicates a personal
connection (uses and grat)
Header for different bits
of key information on the
contents page.

7. NME Codes and Conventions
• The masthead used is clear, to the point and gives a definite idea of when this magazine was
published ‘This Week, 1st November 2006’. They have separated the mast head from the rest
of the text, by keeping the font color red and bold with an outline of white- to emphasize the
letters. Next to it is ‘THIS WEEK’ in bold capital white letters. This is all contrasted against a
black rectangular board.
• NME unlike the other music magazines haven’t used a singular model (who would usually be
looking directly at the reader). The idea of having a band all looking either at their
instruments or towards the ground, creates a sense of impersonality. This could easily
distance the readers view of the magazine and not entice them to read more. This could also
be due to there being an overwhelming amount of text on the page, in contrast to the
magazine’s that we saw on the previous slides where the image was the dominating feature. I
don’t think that I will use this technique- I think that I intend on using a larger image to fill up
the empty space.
• NME have decided to advertise their subscription for their magazine at the bottom of the
page of the magazine. This is a good idea as it is sectioned off in a large box- drawing the
audience’s focus towards that. There is an unusual burst of yellow text which disturbs the
house style, but focus’ the attention of the reader to the important text of “Subscribe today
for just £5.57 a month* GO TO”.
• I think that the conventions that I will use from this magazine, would be that they have
separated their masthead logo away from the whole page. In addition to this I liked the fact
that they have added in an advertisement at the bottom of the page, it creates a sense of
realism and that would really connect with the audience and persuade them to subscribe.