Generic codes and conventions are symbols and repeated elements that communicate meaning across genres. Magazine covers use conventional elements like placement of the masthead, font, and sizing to identify the publication. Codes provide additional meaning through color, images, and text choices. For example, a dark gray background on a men's magazine appeals to masculinity while white represents femininity on women's magazines. Fashion magazine covers also commonly feature celebrity models to represent their content and target audiences.

1. Generic codes and
conventions
By Aahil Malik

2. Codes and conventions
 All genres are defined by a series of codes and conventions.
 Codes are a system of symbols used to communicate a message or idea.
 Conventions are the repetition and reinforcement of normative values.
Conventional graphic elements
 Magazine covers include a series of conventional elements which convey
certain meanings. These are their generic codes and conventions.
 These elements can vary from one magazine to another, and from one genre
to another.
 Have a look at the following examples of codes and conventions in fashion
magazines.

3. CONVENTION
The model’s face known
as Jonathan Rhys
Meyres is in front of
the writing known as
the masthead. The
title of the magazine
and writers/editors
names are easily
readable.
CONVENTION:
The size of the
masthead is the
biggest text in the
cover. This is
because the
masthead is the
name/title of the
magazine.
Furthermore, the
text is written in
gold writing which
has connotations of
luxury and elegance
in these kinds of
conventional
fashion magazines.
Such as the Irish
Tatler and Vogue.
CODE
The colour presented
is a dark grey this
colour is
conventionally
associated with
masculinity. Here is
used to represent
masculinity and appeal
to a male target
audience. It also
matches the colour
scheme of the black
suit and gold writing
in the image. CODE:
The model in the cover
is a well known actor
She appeals to a male
target audience and
portraits the main
contents of this
magazine genre:
fashion, and celebrity

4. CONVENTION
The model’s face
known as Zendaya is
in front of the
writing known as
the masthead. The
title of the
magazine and
writers/editors
names are easily
readable.
CODE
The model in the
cover is a well
known actress. She
appeals to a female
target audience and
portraits the main
contents of this
magazine genre:
fashion, beauty and
celebrity.
CONVENTION
The size of the
text varies
according to the
prominence of the
feature or
article’s cover
line.
CODE
Colour white
conveys ideas of
innocence, purity,
cleanliness, etc.;
all conventional
attributes of a
certain idea of
femininity.