Magazines Codes & Convention

Magazines Codes & Convention

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  By Aaron La
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  General Conventions  Masthead– the masthead is the title block for the magazine, usually this is the most eye- catching conventions on a page and ad to be distinct  Menu – the list of contents inside the paper  Pugs – to catch the audience's eye they are well placed. A pug is the top left hand and right hand corner of magazine. The prices, logo, position are placed here  Secondary lead- a sneak preview of an inside article or story usually a picture  Sidebar – an additional box next to the main feature of the magazine  Splash – main story of the front page accompanied with the headline and a photograph  Spread – a story that covers more than one page  Stand first- sentence after a headline and before an article begins the ‘sells’ a feature to a specific audience  Strapline – subheading  Tag – categorizing the audience’s interest in a story by using a work or phrase to engage them e.g. Sensational, new and exclusive. Tip-on affixed to the publication is promotional item such as an magnet or game piece Box-out a coloured box behind some text, usually used to make the text stand out  Headline – main statement, usually in the largest and boldest font, describing the main story. A banner headline spans the full width of the page  Kicker – This is story designed to strand out from the rest of the page by using a different font and layout  Lure – could be used as a marketing device, its usually a work or phrase that creates hegemonic tension
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  The style ofthe entire cover is very simplistic and pure – even toned down appearance of the cover star and the dominant use of white The headline of Fader very often uses the name of the artist to create a pun In Fader, the artist very often uses direct mode of address. This could perhaps attract reader’s as they are apart of the magazine The use of the pitch black background of the cover could perhaps suggest some sort of mysterious narrative. This builds up hermeneutic tension The masthead uses the background to therefore emphasise its important/boldness. The font used is very simplistic, bold and sans serif. Therefore this may suggest that the target audience may be projected towards a more masculine audience and market An additional coverline is also included in which consist of another pun towards the work of the artist Fader magazine is known for having a singular image only on the cover This is because they are known for featuring big names and therefore let the status of their stardom sell the magazine Fader practically always an artist of the specific type of genre hip-hop / R&B therefore this magazine is a niche type of magazine
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  The use ofthe tag on the right hand top corner will attract customers Also, as the sentence itself doesn’t make perfect sense it creates hermeneutic tension as the photograph of Tyler. This is because his facial expression resembles somewhat of confusion, worry and or fear in which does not make sense seeing in the position he is in ( Success, fame etc ). Again, the masthead is positioned in the same place and uses one single colour. Furthermore, it also obstructs the image of the artist reinforcing the importance Unlike the previous magazine cover, this one simply has the artist’s name straight in the middle of the bottom half in full block sans serif font In this issue of Fader there is practically nothing on the cover except to issue number, masthead and artist name. This may therefore convey the significance of the artist, as Tyler has many inspiration quotes and may be so well known he needs no introduction Fader once again uses a direct mode of address to attract the audience For those who do not know who Tyler is, the second part of the name ‘The Creator’ could perhaps easily draw in attention by creating hermeneutic tension as they want to discover what ‘The Creator’ is implying to (inspiration ?)
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  In this specificissue of Fader, it neglects many of the previously seen conventions This is probably most likely due to the artist on the cover, Drake. In this issue it only shows the most definitely required part of the magazine and nothing else what so ever In this issue it only shows a picture of Drake, the masthead and the issue number. The fact that the magazine has no other content and no even the name of the artist may suggest the fame from his success Furthermore, practically all of the Fader’s magazine have the masthead in front of the artist, however as this particular issue is placing Drake in front of the masthead may perhaps suggest the dominance of importance and the significance of his work Also, this issue number is the number 100. This may not have much significance. However, 100 cold be considered to be just a generally good number ( 1, 10, 100 perhaps suggest perfect scoring ) So in this particular issue, it ignore most of the general conventions in which fader has put for itself, seemingly just for the significance of the artist However, the one convention they have still used in the direct mode of address towards the audience