Research into Codes and Conventions of magazine contents pages

Colour: Each picture on the contents page has a page number in a coloured circle, the colour corresponds to the gender of the artist. This shows that it is a unisex magazine. There is only one exception to this and that is the main picture which is in a much larger red circle. This also draws the audiences’ attention to it. The overall colour scheme is black and white, this means that the other colours look more vibrant and add energy to the look of the pages. Promotion: This magazine has a clear promotion section of ‘Free music downloads’. This makes the audience want to buy the magazine. This shows that the hegemonic reading of this magazine is people who enjoy listening to music. Main picture: The main picture has an orange background. This is very bright to draw the readers’ attention. We can see that the main image is using direct mode of address which helps create a personal relationship with the reader. However this is unusual as it is common in other contents pages that the main image takes up a large portion of the page. Layout: There is a very clear layout, the double-page spread is split into 2 sections on each page. Both pages have a column of text and a column of pictures that are to the side of the text. All pictures are square which adds to simplicity of the contents page, this matches the simplicity of the front cover. Unique features: They have included the issue number into the masthead, this is a unique feature that I haven’t seen in any other magazines. It is also a double- page spread which is unusual in most magazine contents pages. Fashion: There is a section of the contents page dedicated to fashion. This gives us an insight into the hegemonic ideology of this magazine. Pictures: In one of the pictures there is a model who is looking very shocked. This creates a hermeneutic code as it makes the audience wonder why she looks like that. Also the use of direct mode of address makes the audience feel that she is shocked at them for some reason. The pictures have no writing about what or who they are. This creates hermeneutic codes as it makes the reader want to find out more about them. Clash

Colour: It has a predominantly neutral colour scheme, lots of black and white. Even the pictures don’t have hugely bright colours. This makes the promotion section stand out as it has a red background with yellow text. The use of the red makes the magazine contents recognisable as it sticks to the house colours. Promotion: This magazine has a clear promotion section in the bottom right corner. It is the only thing on the contents page that isn’t black and white, apart from the picture, which makes it immediately stand out. Main picture: In all of NME’s contents pages there is a main image in the centre, it is predominantly a close-up or medium close-up. The quote below the image is in the largest font on the page to draw the readers’ attention. Layout: The layout is very clear. A large picture in the middle with other pictures surrounding it. Each picture has a quote below it to entice the reader. There is always a ‘Plus’ section and a promotion section. The layout is quite unique which makes it recognisable. Unique features: This contents page has quite a unique layout, the use of quotes underneath each picture means that it gives an insight as to what is in the magazine which allows the audience to pick what articles to read. Plus: In all of the contents pages for NME there is a ‘Plus’ column. This is to let the reader know what else is in the magazine as the use of large pictures mean that there is not enough room to include everything. This column is very small so people may not even notice it as it is surrounded by large pictures. Pictures: The pictures are all surrounding the main picture and are small in comparison. This makes the main picture stand out more. In many of them it shows the singer/band whilst performing which suggests that the magazine is predominantly about the music and not about fashion like Clash is this shows that the hegemonic reading would be someone who enjoys music. Most of them also use direct mode of address to ‘lure’ the readers into reading that particular article. NME

Colour: The colour scheme through out the whole contents page is consistent, all the writing is black, and on either a white or grey background making a good classy look.. These are all gender neutral colours which shows that this magazine is for both male and female audiences. Main picture: The image of Adele shows her to be more prevalent than anyone else on the page, having the biggest picture on the page makes her seem the most important. It indicates her page number where you can find her section, and under it, it says that she is “Britain’s brightest new talent” which is a big accolade and will create the need for people to read on to that, and find out about this new star. This also appeals to people’s cognitive needs as it males people wonder why. Layout: The layout is very simple. One large picture on the right with a column going down the left hand side of the page. Each section of the magazine is under a certain title, for example on the left side we see that some are seen as ‘features’ such as ticket touting and the Q list, where as others are seen as ‘women in music’ which is something that would only appeal to women. Unique features: This magazine consists of quite a simple layout with a simple colour scheme but what stands out is the use of a review section. This can entice readers to give their opinions on the matter which can make the audience feel more connected with the magazine. Review: At the bottom, there is a very interesting section called ‘Review’. This is where they have certain reviews about new albums, music artists and other topics that would be interesting for readers. This feature is be important for the contents page because it is just another reason to carry on reading through the magazine. It can also create hermeneutic codes and appeal to different readings as some may have a hegemonic reading and agree or some may have a pluralistic reading. Pictures: On the contents pages f Q magazine there seems to be a lack of pictures. The is usually the main image and then only one or two additional images. This makes them stand out more and shows the hierarchy of the different articles as the more important ones have an image and the less important ones don’t. Q