Music Magazine Conventions and Analysis

1. masthead
skyline
Main image
date
Feature story
Feature story
barcode
Price and issue number
Main feature

2. Front Cover Conventions Analysis
There is a clear colour scheme in this front cover. The use of red black and white is evident. This
gives continuity to the product and creates a brand. This is done as without a colour scheme
there would be no brand created. The masthead, in this case NME, also enhances branding of
the product as it is clear to see that the brand is NME.
The main image is very important on a front cover as it gives visual aid to the audience on who
the main feature is about. The main image also reinforces the genre of the magazine as NME is
indie/rock, it would not convey the genre if it featured Jay Z or Justin Bieber.
The main feature is used to give a slight insight as to what is covered in the feature, and the artist
mentioned again matches the genre, this creates a brand, as does the use of the colour scheme.
The main feature is something that sells the magazine so it needs to be bold and stand out so the
audience and prospective buyers see it and want to buy it. There are also smaller feature stories,
this are again used to sell the magazine to show what is inside the magazine. They feature artists
linked with the genre to sell the magazine and create a brand. This will persuade the audience to
buy the product as these stories may show that the magazine is of interest to an individual,
therefore increasing sales.
A skyline is also used, this is to again promote a featured artist on the front cover and persuade
the audience to buy the magazine. A skyline is located at the top of the page and usually features
all colours from the colour scheme to stand out against other magazines that may be on the shelf
next to it. The skyline however doesn’t have to have a featured artist, it can have a slogan from
the editor which is used to sell the magazine. A price and issue number is on the front cover to
inform the audience of how much the magazine costs and what issue it is of the series. This is
important as they won’t buy the magazine if it is too much but the magazine needs to make a
profit and can’t undercut itself as the magazine market is competitive.
The barcode is used to allow the magazine to be sold in outlets, the barcode provides sales
information which can provide the magazine with where the magazine is most popular and
which stores are popular for buyers, this can help with marketing and advertising as they would
know places are most successful and which locations need a boost for sales.

3. Contents title
Reference to magazine logo
Page numbers
Main image
Sub heading
story
story
Sub heading
Main feature
Photographer credit

4. Contents Page Conventions Analysis
The logo of the magazine is seen in the background which
will reinforce the brands identity. This is important as the
brand will want to be recognised and by featuring the logo
this is done. The colour scheme will also follow on from the
contents page into the double page spread which shows
continuity and creates a brand image. The main artist is again
featured on the contents page which sells the main feature,
the reader has probably bought the magazine from the
effectiveness of the front cover and it is important to follow
this through on the contents page. In the main image Kanye
West’s heart looks to be out of his body, this may make the
reader ask questions and this may make them want to read
the feature. There is also a bold contents title, this informs
the reader of which page they are on, contents pages are not
always found underneath the cover as there are sometimes
adverts before. This draws the readers attention into the
page as they will be able to find a feature that interests them.

5. Large image of artist.
quote
Bold artist
name
Stand-
first
Size 11 text
bylines
Colour
scheme

6. Double page spread conventions
analysis
A main image of the artist is usually direct address,
meaning that the artist is looking at the reader. This
makes the feature seem personal and the audience will
feel like the feature is for them. This sells the magazine.
There is also a quote seen on the spread, this is done to
show a sneak peak of the interview. They are used
within the text to break up the interview. The quotes
can be quite shocking or revealing to engage the
reader. A standfirst is used to open and introduce. This
can set the scene and provide a platform for the writer
to construct the interview. The text used is
conventionally Arial 11, however some magazines don’t
follow this as they want to create a more powerful and
individual brand image. The drop cap is used to
introduce the start of an article and columns are used
to make the feature look neat. The colour scheme will
follow on from the front cover and contents page to
make a fierce brand image.