These are the different conventions used within a music magazine.

1. MUSIC MAGAZINE
CONVENTIONS:

2. Title/Logo – The title uses sans serif fonts.
New House style - this shows that a The title takes up the whole widths of the
new house style has been used. This magazine and even though the man’s head
will draw in the audience because is covering the end of the title you still know
they may want to look through the that it is “Smash Hits”.
new magazine and see how it is
different to the previous issues.
Background – this magazine
uses more girly colours than
other music magazines. It is
aimed at girl as you can tell
through the colour scheme
and the “Red carpet looks”
etc. The background uses
Cover line – This cover line is three types of pink so on
white because it stands out on the shelves it would stand
top of the pink. There is a use out because it would be the
of bold writing to tell you who brightest.
the celebrity is about.
Quote from article –
This quote is pulled out
from an inside article.
Images – This magazine has many different
This is used because it
images not just one. This makes it look more
shows the audience
unprofessional than the other music Barcode what is going to be
magazines. The use of all the pictures shows
featured inside.
that the articles will feature different
celebrities.

3. Title/Logo – The magazine title is large
Strap Line – This strap line is used because it
and bold. This makes it stand out on the
shows the readers that they get something for
shelf, if it was on the shelf you would
free. These are always smaller and above the
recognise it because of the size and the
headline. It uses pink because it stands out on
bold text. Katy Perry’s head is cover the
top of the black logo.
middle of the logo however people
would still knows what magazine it is
because of its brand awareness.
Sans serif font – The
Lead – The main cover line is about Katy Perry. majority of music
You can tell this because her name is larger magazines uses sans serif
than the other smaller cover lines. The lead is font. They are bold and
used to make people read on inside the bright – this makes them
magazine. easy to see through the
congested smaller
writing.
Cover lines – the cover lines are
insights to other articles from
inside the magazine. They are
used to draw in the readers. Background – the background is
They also allow the readers to white. It is basic but allows bright
Image – the image is of Katy Perry. Her pose
see what’s going to be featured colours to be placed on top of the
make her look sexually attractive so males will
within the issue. background layer. As the layer is
be drawn to the magazine. The image always
relates to the lead article of the magazine. All plain the other colours stands out
the colour schemes of the fonts match her and draws your eye straight to
outfit. This makes the magazine flow and them.
shows a direct correlation.

4. Tagline – This is used to accompany the
logo. It shows that Q is the UK’s biggest Lead – this is the main
Masthead – this logo is very music magazine so readers who haven’t article. The colour scheme
recognisable with the red read it before and looking to read a music still is the same as the logos
background and white layer on mag would be tempted because of the colours. This makes the
top. Q magazine is a very famous high reputation that the magazine has. magazine look professional
music magazine so and the
because they only use two
masthead has a very strong brand
colours to write on the front
awareness making it very
page. The main article is on
recognisable in the music
the front page because it
magazine market.
draws in the readers to read
on inside.
Barcode
Background – The
background is very dark and
gothic. There is rain falling at
the back which gives the
Box out – The use of box out in this image definition. Her bright
magazine is to make the text stand red lips makes them stand
out. As the background is very dark out and she’s liking her finger
they need to use a white box out so which makes the image
you can see the text and to add sexually attractive.
definition to the magazine.
Main Cover line– This is used to draw the audience
into the magazine. People who like Cheryl Cole
would buy the magazine because they want to find
out information about her. The cover line uses the
same colours as the mast head. This makes the
magazine look more professional.

5. Music Contents conventions:
Sans serif font: this main headline
uses sans serif font – this makes the
text basic however it stands out Box out – The use of the box out
compared to the other text on the allows the text to stand out because it
page. uses a coloured background that is a
different colour scheme to the rest of
the page.
Page numbers relating to
articles: having a image
of the front cover then
uses arrows to the page Images – the images
numbers allow the are used in the
audience to find the magazine in order to
article that they are allow the audience to
looking for quickly. It also know what is going to
contributes to the layout be in the magazine.
features of the magazine This magazine is very
– In this case I look more creative and visual so
informal and chatty. that it is not boring.
Contents: The
contents allow the
readers to know
Editor’s Note: this editor’s note is
where the different
introducing the month’s issue. The
articles are located Hyperlink - allows the audience
editor welcomes the audience and
within the magazine. to find out more information if
gives them a brief insight to what’s
they want to. Going on the
going to happen in the particular
website allows you find out more
issue.
about a certain article.

6. Article: this is also
another smaller
interview that is yet to Interview: this magazine has
be continued within the included a interview with
magazine. One direction. It gives a few
lines then includes the page
number where it would be
continued.
Front cover: this shows
the front page of the
Contents: The contents allows the magazine. The cover
audience to find certain articles lines and images are
quickly. For example if they were accompanied with the
looking for “Cheryl Coles” interview page numbers where
then they could find the right page you can find the full
number. articles.
This contents page is mainly full of interviews and gossip
etc. It only contains a small part on “News and Features”
so this contents page doesn’t really fit in with a stand
content convention.

7. The magazine has used the mast head of
the magazine within the contents page.
Sub heading: The subheading is
very eye catching and stands out
when the audience turn onto the
page. Body copy: These body
copies allow the audience
to see what's going to be
featured within the
magazine and they give
the page numbers so the
audience can find the
article instantly.
Banner: the banner allows the Editors Note: this is a editors note
editor to add either extra that allows the Editors to introduce
information or pictures to the issue and tell the audience briefly
accompany the articles. what will be mentioned within the
magazine.
Contents numbers: The titles of the
different articles are accompanied
with their page numbers so that the
audience can find the articles quickly.

8. Editors note: editors notes are used
to make the magazine personal to the
audience and also introduce the
months issue.
Box out: Box outs are
used to make the text
that sits on top of it stand
out.
Contents: This is the contents that
will be featured within the
magazine. It will allow the
audience to find certain articles
quickly.
Images: Images are used so that
they relate to the articles.
Banner: Adding extra information into the
magazine normally advertising or a small
quote.