This document summarizes the common codes and conventions found on the covers of three music magazines: Q, Kerrang, and Billboard. Some key elements discussed include: 1) The masthead is always prominently displayed at the top of the cover in bold colors to stand out. 2) The main image is usually a mid-shot of the featured artist with high-key lighting to draw attention. 3) Additional information about stories, artists, and advertisements inside are listed on the left or right third of the cover to promote content. 4) Pricing, date, and barcode information are typically included at the bottom right of the cover.

1. RESEARCHING THE CODES
AND CONVENTIONS OF
MAGAZINES
OF Q, KERRANG AND BILLBOARD
MAGAZINES

2. THE LOGO OR THE MASTHEAD IS ALWAYS LOCATED AT THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE
MAGAZINE. (AS SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE) THE COLOURS OF IT ARE WHITE ‘Q’ WITH A RED
BACKGROUND. ONLY WHEN THIS IS CHANGED ARE FOR SPECIAL ISSUES OF THE
MAGAZINE. USUALLY TO SIGNIFY THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MAIN ARTIST ON THE
COVER, THEY ARE OVERLAPPING THIS LOGO.
THE MAIN FONT IS USUALLY THE NAME OF THE MAIN CELEBRITY IN THAT ISSUE OF THE
MAGAZINE, AND THE COLOURS OF IT MATCH TO THE MASTHEAD.
THE MAIN IMAGE IS USUALLY MID-SHOT WITH HIGH-KEY LIGHTNING
A LIST OF CELEBRITIES ARE ALWAYS PROVIDED EITHER ON THE LEFT THIRD OR THE
RIGHT WHICH ARE IN THAT SPECIFIC ISSUE. THERE IS SOME EXTRA INFORMATION
PROVIDED THERE FOR EXAMPLE QUOTES FROM INTERVIEWS.
THE BARCODE IS USUALLY PROVIDED IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF ‘Q’ MAGAZINE

3. Barcode, date and price;
situated at the bottom of the
magazine, informs the
costumers of the date the
magazine was released, how
much it costs and the barcode
to be able to purchase it in
store. Issue number would also
be provided here
The main image; is a mid-shot of the
artist that is featured in this issue.
While taking up most of the front
page she will be easily recognised
on the cover, which will attract . Use
of direct mode of address by having
the featured artist look directly into
camera this is a Technical Feature.
The way Adele has been shown is
by her beauty, her eyes bold darting
at the audience as well as the way
that her hand is covering her mouth
is creating an attraction for her fans
and audiences for both genders.
High key lightning, makes her look
much as God-like or centre of
attention as well as fits in with the
colour scheme.
Masthead; bold red square with
a bold white capital ‘Q’, in the
centre of it. The colours and the
name of the magazine stands
out against the pale background
along with the celebrity, Adele.
This is always the same on
every cover, except in special
editions. Her hair overlapping
the masthead is suggesting her
importance and empowerment.
The Background; is pale grey, almost white. This is to create
a focus on all the writing, the logo as well as the main image
of the artist as well as emphasise the bold bright colours of
the magazine, so its recognisable for the audience.
The selling line; the selling line
on this magazine is ‘Discover
great music’ is a short,
memorable and alluring
sentence, that can be used to
imply the purpose of the
magazine. This also describes
the magazines main marketing
point.
Left third/cover lines; this is to attract potential audiences, including the most important information of what will be featured in that specific
issue of the magazine. The colours are very bold and fit with the rest of the colour scheme. I noticed that all the writing on the cover is
capitals as it can draw attention. Even though, there are not any lower case writhing the font sizes vary incredibly for the main stories and
the names of celebrities to stand out, for example the word ‘Liam’ and ‘Keith’ is emphasized. This also often incudes a quote from an
interview of celebrities.
Main cover lines; (selif font) the
biggest font size in comparison to
ones on the left third. The colour
and the size of ‘Adele’ is white in
contrast to the ‘Q’ showing the
importance of her in this issue and
to create an audience appeal,
from both the magazine and her
fans, Also the text just above and
below her name both consist of
the colours from the masthead of
Q, however has a much smaller
font size.

4. THE MASTHEAD ALWAYS IS ACROSS THE TOP OF THE MAGAZINE IN EITHER WHITE,
BLANK OR RED, IT’S BOLD AND EYE-CATCHING FOR THE AUDIENCE.
HIS MAGAZINE IS TARGETED MOSTLY TO AUDIENCES WHICH ARE INTERESTED IN
ROCK AND METAL MUSIC, MOSTLY AGED 16-24 YEAR OLDS. THIS IS SUGGESTED BY
THE STYLE OF THE MAGAZINE, INCLUDING THE LOGO, MAIN IMAGE AND THE
FONTS.
THE MAIN COLOURS ARE YELLOW, WHITE AND BLACK.
MAIN IMAGES ARE USUALLY MID-SHOT OF SPECIFIC ARTIST OR BAND MEMBERS.
THE MAGAZINE COVER SHOWS THE MAIN FEATURES ON THE INSIDE ALSO BESIDES
THE MAIN IMAGE, SUCH AS ANY POSTER WHICH ARE INCLUDED, THIS USES
INFORMAL LANGUAGE.
MOST OF THEIR COVERS INCLUDE A PUFF WHICH IS WHERE A CERTAIN SHAPE (A
CIRCLE) IN USED TO HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN FEATURES IN THE MAGAZINE.
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF KERRANG

5. Main image; Use of direct
mode of address by
having the featured artist
look directly into camera
this is a Technical
Feature. The artist is mid-
shot, with high-key
lightning and is wearing a
yellow top with black
writing , which is used to
go with the colour
scheme.
Barcode, date and price;
situated at the bottom of
the magazine, informs the
costumers of the date the
magazine was released,
how much it costs and the
barcode to be able to
purchase it in store.
Cover line; located across
the bottom Shows what
artists the magazine
includes, to inform the
readers if there are any of
their favourite artists in
the issue.
Puff; directing what the special
features are, this is usually a
different shape to be mare
eye-catching.
Left third/cover lines; this is to
attract potential audiences,
including the most important
information of what will be
featured in that specific issue
of the magazine. This includes
photos of the featured artists
and any posters. The writing
on the cover is capitals as it
can draw attention. The
writing is in different colours
and sizes to draw attention to
specific words, sure as the
name of artists or bands.
Includes competitions for the readers, located above the masthead for it to stand out, and make the audience that they are
able to be involved.
The bands name ‘Paramore’
the largest font size after the
masthead, to show who is the
main focus in this issue.
The masthead is bold, large
font with cracks, this can
contract to the idea of the
genre, as it can show
violence.

6. THE MASTHEAD IS ALWAYS BOLD ACROSS THE TOP OF THE MAGAZINE WITH THE
LETTERS B, O, A AND D COLOURED IN, THIS TO CREATE A MORE EYE-CATCHING
EFFECT.
THE TARGET AUDIENCE OF THIS MAGAZINE IS 16-26 YEAR OLDS AS THE MAGAZINE
PROVIDES MOST RECENT UPDATES FROM THE CHARTS. THE MAGAZINES FOCUS IS
ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF GENRE.
THE LAYOUT IS MATURE AS THE COVER IS NOT OVER CROWDED WITH LOADS OF
ARTIST NAMES AND HAVING THE SAME FONT COLOUR THROUGH THE WHOLE
COVER THIS MAKES IT LOOK MORE PROFESSIONAL RATHER THAN KID APPEALING.
THEIR MAIN IMAGES ARE EITHER CLOSE UPS OR MID-SHOTS AT HIGH KEY
LIGHTNING OF THE ARTISTS.
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF BILLBOARD

7. The main image; a mid-shot of
the artist the. On this magazine
the celebrity is featured on the
whole cover showing
significance. Use of direct mode
of address by having the
featured artist look directly into
camera this is a Technical
Feature. High key lightning used
to emphasise her beauty and
importance to the audience as
well as her fans. Her pose is
over sexualised with her eyes
and mouth to attract all types of
audiences. The image covers
the background only top right
and left corners of white is
showing.
Barcode, date and price; situated at the bottom of the
magazine, informs the costumers of the date the magazine
was released, how much it costs and the barcode to be able
to purchase it in store, this also includes the issue number.
Uses of advertisements for the
artists concerts and events. To
draw more audiences to
Billboard. The font is different in
comparison to the other text to
stand out. (serif font) colour
same as the masthead.
Provided the website of the
magazine for more information
and receive more viewings for
the magazine which they are
able to use as an advantage.
The artists name
‘Beyoncé’ is the largest
font size after the
masthead, to show who
is the main artist in the
issue. The colour is the
same as the masthead
to create contrast.
The left third, cover
lines; these include
colloquial language and
is informative towards
the audiences. It uses
some information of the
stories inside, however
does not give too much
insight of it. The layout
seems very professional
and the colour matches
with the rest of the texts
on the magazine
The masthead/ logo of
the magazine the letters
are all white, with
coloured in letter gaps
and lower case letters,
which makes it stand
out from the rest of the
cover.