Research into codes and conventions of front

2. Masthead behind the
image in bold font, has the
smashed look- signify
rebellion
Direct mode of Address-
the band looking at the
reader, pointing finger,
forming personal
relationship(uses and
gratifications)
Shot type- mid shot
Colours- red, white, black,
yellow
Name of band in bold,
white letter supposed to
look like it has been
stamped on letter by
letter
Puns- using humour,
not completely serious
magazine, coincides
with the belief it has a
younger, more carefree
audience

3. • Tend to use the colour scheme of black, red, white and yellow- gender
neutral
• The masthead is in Capital letters and gives the impression of being
smashed, suggesting rebellion, which is the stereotypical views expressed
by those who have heard of the magazine and are possibly older.This
coincides with the Kerrang ideology of being in opposition to the
dominant ideas of mainstream society.
• Direct mode of address- to engage the audience’s attention and form a
personal relationship with the audience(uses and gratifications).
• Exclusives- only place you will find this story, building hermeneutic
tension (Barthes 5 codes), and fulfilling the cognitive needs of the
reader(Uses and Gratifications).
Codes and Conventions of Kerrang

4. Shot type- close up and the use
of direct mode of address
provides a personal relationship
with the audience (uses and
gratifications theory)
Artist name in bold white font,
serif, using gender neutral
colours
Masthead in left hand
corner, takes up half of the
very top of the page
Posters on left hand side
of magazine, small
thumbnails- showing the
reader what is inside as
well as providing an
exclusive, appealing to a
younger audience
Highkey lighting-
contradicts the dark
demeanour of the artist
Colours- mostly black,
white and red although
with a blue background
List of bands- give an insight
to what is inside- building
hermeneutic tension as well
as the use of the + sign

5. • Direct mode of address- to engage the audience’s attention and form a
personal relationship with the audience(uses and gratifications).
• Exclusives- only place you will find this story, building hermeneutic
tension (Barthes 5 codes), and fulfilling the cognitive needs of the
reader(Uses and Gratifications).
• Colour scheme is gender neutral, red white and black and blue, using
primary colours tend to be used to get a wider audience, both Men AND
Women.
• There is a list of bands at the side to keep the reader a clue to what is
inside the magazine, and interest fans of those artists.
Codes and conventions of NME

6. Type of shot- full body shot,
showing her to be above the
buildings, which is the
preferred reading, an
empowered woman or in a
oppositional reading, she
could appear sexual in the lack
of clothing she is wearing
List of bands to side of
magazine, in smaller print
to give an insight to the
material inside
Colours- red, white,
black, her has been
washed out apart
from her hair to
reflect colour scheme
Direct mode of Address-
forms personal relationship
with audience
Name of artist smaller than
main story- implying Men
perhaps are still more
important than women
Exclusives- Free Music
Inside, Rare and the place
to find some music no one
else has the chance to hear
Masthead- simplistic,
iconic red and white Q
Simple to inform the
reader of what else they
could find in the
magazine
The use of iconic landmarks
such as the Statue of Liberty
and Big Ben coincide with the
iconic Q and colour scheme,
synonymous with that
magazine

7. • Iconic red square with white Q, synonymous with that magazine, easy to
identify when looking at the cover, which is also used by:
• The red, white and black colour scheme
• The use of direct mode of address forms a personal relationship with the
audience(uses and gratifications theory)
• Exclusives- only place you will find this story, building hermeneutic
tension (Barthes 5 codes), and fulfilling the cognitive needs of the
reader(Uses and Gratifications).
Codes and Conventions of Q

8. Name of artist in bold white
font, iconic,
Masthead behind image of
Eminem
Colours- mostly white
and green, the colours
that are in the
masthead, as well as the
dark background,
suggesting male
audience
Direct mode of address-
forms a personal
relationship with the
audience(uses and
gratifications theory)
Shot type- mid shot to
show the patriotic
hand over his chest
Dark vs Light- Binary
OppositionsTheory ,
suggesting conflict,
coinciding with the headline
of recovery, implying the
reader will find out about
his past
Exclusives- only place to
find them, building
hermeneutic tension

9. • Direct mode of address- to engage the audience’s attention and form a
personal relationship with the audience(uses and gratifications).
• Colour scheme is gender neutral to get a wider audience, although with
some covers, Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory is shown, with women in skimpy,
provocative clothing so this magazine could possibly be for a more male
audience than female.
• Uses exclusives builds hermeneutic tension(Barthes) and fulfills the
cognitive needs of the reader.
Codes and Conventions of Billboard

10. • Direct mode of address- to engage the audience’s attention and form a
personal relationship with the audience(uses and gratifications).
• Exclusives- only place you will find this story, building hermeneutic
tension (Barthes 5 codes), and fulfilling the cognitive needs of the
reader(Uses and Gratifications).
• Most colour schemes of music magazine are gender neutral with the use
of primary colours to get a broader male AND female audience.
• Due to the wide audience, the Male Gaze is mostly under presented and
both women and men are portrayed as empowered and women are not
objectified sexually.
• Music magazines can possibly fulfill 4 out of 5 of the Needs in the Uses
and Gratifications theory for the reader including Cognitive, Personal
Integrative, Social Integrative and Tension Release/
Codes and Conventions of Music
Magazines