The document discusses codes and conventions used on music magazine covers. It explains that mastheads are prominently displayed at the top in a unique font. The main cover image engages the audience and needs to stand out, and can provide clues to the genre through things like clothing. The main coverline relates to the image and promises an interview. The positioning statement markets the magazine. Barcodes and pricing are discreetly placed. Skylines, banners, and puffs draw attention to headlines and incentives. House style through fonts, colors and layout establish the magazine's brand and intended audience.

1. Codes and Conventions of
music magazines

2. Mastheads
The mast head is positioned at the top of the magazine cover above the main image. It
is always bigger than any of the other writing on the page and the font is unique.

3. Main cover image
The main image is typically centred in the middle of the page and uses direct address to
engage the audience and draw them in. The image is the main focus of the page and
therefore needs to be visually striking. The person’s/ people’s facial expressions, clothing and
other body features e.g. tattoos or piercings can help to communicate the genre of the
magazine also featuring well known and relevant bands can intrigue buyers.

4. Main Coverlines
The main cover line always relates to the cover image and is bigger than any of the other
coverlines on the page, this ensures that it stands out. The coverline often contains an enticing
quote relating to the star(s) in the image and suggests that the article is an interview

5. Positioning Statement
The positioning statement is always near the masthead and is sometimes like a slogan for the
magazine. It positions the magazine within the marketplace and can often act as an encouragement for
certain people to buy. For example ‘The UK’s Biggest music magazine’ is an eye catching statement
that would interest people with a love for music.

6. Issue info, barcode and price
The barcode is practically always placed in the bottom corner of the
magazine cover and the issue information and price is either just above it or
underneath the masthead in a really small font.

7. Skyline
A skyline is a strip of writing, mainly in a banner, placed above the masthead.
Often, this is where the positioning statement is written but incentives and
offers that would catch a reader’s eye can also be written in here.

8. Banners
The banner is a bigger
strip along the page
and usually if not
always contains the
main coverline. It
helps the coverline to
stand out more and
sets it aside from
other features on the
page

9. Puffs
Puffs are obvious and
often vibrant shapes
on the page that
usually contain
incentives- something
that aims to
encourage people to
want to read the
magazine.
A puff looks like a sticker
and stands out from other
features on the page to
catch the eye of a reader

10. Incentives and buzzwords
Incentives and Buzz Words are
words and phrases, typically
contained inside a puff, that
encourage and persuade the
audience to either read, buy or
perhaps take part in a
competition inside.
A buzz word is usually
highlighted, often using a bigger
font or different colour to catch
the eye of a reader.

11. House style
The house style is the brand style and ethos of a magazine. Depending on the genre or the audience the magazine
is aimed at, the magazine will be bold in colour or quite plain, crowded or quite empty in comparison.
The style of font and colour
scheme is personal to the
magazine, it can also help
suggest the genre through
its connotations
Style of layout and language very
often determines the genre and
audience. A busier cover might
suggest teenagers and a tidier cover
says more sophisticated and mature
Mise en scene helps to create a suitable look for a
particular genre. Clothing, lighting, expression, body
language, makeup, hair and props are different depending
on the music genre the magazine is aimed at but all help
reveal the style.