In order to effectively challenge and develop codes and conventions of a magazine when creating my own front cover, I will need to identify these codes and conventions through analysing existing music magazines on the current market. I have chosen NME as the main inspiration for my own music magazine as it is a well-esatblished, up-to-date magazine which has a similar target audience to mine. It is one of the best-selling music magazines in the UK, therefore it will be ideal in helping me follow the codes and conventions needed for a magazine of this genre.
This magazine front cover clearly has certain codes and conventions that it follows. It has a logo in the typical place of the top left hand corner, the logo will also be the same throughout every issue in order for potential or loyal customers to clearly identify that it is the magazine they are looking for. The logo is also capitalised which shows it is a prestigious magazine, it makes it shout out to the audience and it can also symbolise the fact that the title is in fact abbreviated. I will need to take this into account when designing my own logo.
The first thing that will attract a browsing customer (as opposed to a loyal reader who won't be necessarily influenced by the front cover alone) is the main image. This is a huge selling point to a magazine as this is immediately where a customers focus will be held. The artist(s) used on the front cover of a magazine have to be easily recognisable and established as this will portray the message that this magazine is worth reading and it focuses on real, successful musicians. Both of the artists on the front cover have a direct mode of address as they are staring into the camera lens and having 'eye contact' with the audience. It is as if they are urging you to pruchase the magazine and read about them. The picture is a mid-shot of the two artists which follows the typical codes and conventions of a magazine front cover and this will encourage me to use a similar shot as I don't feel I can challenge this particular convention. As both the artists are in similar attire this clarifies the fact that they are in a band and it suggests unity between them. As their outfits are simple and black it shifts the focus to their faces and makes the colour scheme stand out considerably.
On this particular issue the colour scheme is striking yet simplistic. The colours used are red, white, black and a small splash of yellow. This is a typical code and convention of a magazine and it is both complimentry and attractive to the reader. This colour scheme in particular corresponds with the colour scheme of the 'NME' logo which is clearly identifiable in every issue. If too many colours were used on the front cover of a magazine it wouldn't appear as chic and proffessional as it would be challenging the codes and conventions of a magazine. It may also take focus away from the main image.
Another thing that becomes apparent to me when analysing this front cover is that the font used is basic and used throughout the cover with little variation, occasionally using itallics for quotes etc. The fact that it is a simple font makes it easy to read and will not cause confusion between words when being read. This also makes the front cover seem consistant which could reflect that the content of the magazine will also be consistant throughout. All headings are capitalised which instantly draws the eyes to these particular points and puts focus on certain names etc with different use of colouring. It is as if it is directing the reader to which articles to read first.
All the strap lines used which are irrelevant to the actual band shown on the front cover are placed to the side of them whereas their actual band name and information introducing them and the article about the is placed directly over their photo. This is so both image and written text relate to eachother directly. Although this may seem obvious it needs to be followed through as it wouldn't feasible if other text was splashed on top of the main image. It shows the magazine has order and it will direct you, not confuse you.
I will need to take all these ideas into account when designing my own magazine front cover in order to establish that all the correct codes and conventions are followed. This will give me the opportunity to also challenge and develop existing media.
This magazine front cover clearly has certain codes and conventions that it follows. It has a logo in the typical place of the top left hand corner, the logo will also be the same throughout every issue in order for potential or loyal customers to clearly identify that it is the magazine they are looking for. The logo is also capitalised which shows it is a prestigious magazine, it makes it shout out to the audience and it can also symbolise the fact that the title is in fact abbreviated. I will need to take this into account when designing my own logo.
The first thing that will attract a browsing customer (as opposed to a loyal reader who won't be necessarily influenced by the front cover alone) is the main image. This is a huge selling point to a magazine as this is immediately where a customers focus will be held. The artist(s) used on the front cover of a magazine have to be easily recognisable and established as this will portray the message that this magazine is worth reading and it focuses on real, successful musicians. Both of the artists on the front cover have a direct mode of address as they are staring into the camera lens and having 'eye contact' with the audience. It is as if they are urging you to pruchase the magazine and read about them. The picture is a mid-shot of the two artists which follows the typical codes and conventions of a magazine front cover and this will encourage me to use a similar shot as I don't feel I can challenge this particular convention. As both the artists are in similar attire this clarifies the fact that they are in a band and it suggests unity between them. As their outfits are simple and black it shifts the focus to their faces and makes the colour scheme stand out considerably.
On this particular issue the colour scheme is striking yet simplistic. The colours used are red, white, black and a small splash of yellow. This is a typical code and convention of a magazine and it is both complimentry and attractive to the reader. This colour scheme in particular corresponds with the colour scheme of the 'NME' logo which is clearly identifiable in every issue. If too many colours were used on the front cover of a magazine it wouldn't appear as chic and proffessional as it would be challenging the codes and conventions of a magazine. It may also take focus away from the main image.
Another thing that becomes apparent to me when analysing this front cover is that the font used is basic and used throughout the cover with little variation, occasionally using itallics for quotes etc. The fact that it is a simple font makes it easy to read and will not cause confusion between words when being read. This also makes the front cover seem consistant which could reflect that the content of the magazine will also be consistant throughout. All headings are capitalised which instantly draws the eyes to these particular points and puts focus on certain names etc with different use of colouring. It is as if it is directing the reader to which articles to read first.
All the strap lines used which are irrelevant to the actual band shown on the front cover are placed to the side of them whereas their actual band name and information introducing them and the article about the is placed directly over their photo. This is so both image and written text relate to eachother directly. Although this may seem obvious it needs to be followed through as it wouldn't feasible if other text was splashed on top of the main image. It shows the magazine has order and it will direct you, not confuse you.
I will need to take all these ideas into account when designing my own magazine front cover in order to establish that all the correct codes and conventions are followed. This will give me the opportunity to also challenge and develop existing media.
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