Codes and conventions of magazines

Magazines follow codes and conventions in different ways to attract their target audience. Magazines use the same codes and conventions although how they use them depend on the genre such as school and music magazines will look completely different to each other as they portray various articles for their particular audiences. In fact, school magazines have what is known as a niche audience.

One code and convention is the imagery that is used. They are usually original and sometimes exclusive. The central image that is used is the most noticeable feature on the page as it covers most of the space. The images can be of anything as long as they suit the genre and target their audience. Music magazines use images of celebrities which attract many people because of the celebrities’ fan bases. Also, people aspire to be like the main image which is another reason for them buying the magazine.

Appropriate features and articles are vital in all magazines as they need to have content that is interesting and will attract their target audience. The variety of magazines have many different articles because audiences are attracted to different genres to other people such as people that are considered as urban would be interested in music magazines that specifically include hip hop and rnb content. Audiences want to read their idea of appealing articles and will expect to read them because of the particular magazines they have bought. The articles also need to attract the suited social economics such as the people who are in the social classes, A-E. Furthermore, appropriate psycho dynamics are targeted such as music magazines use features that will attract aspirers, although some magazine could contain features that would attract anarchists and rebellions.

All magazines should contain a contents page as it allows the readers to know what is inside. Contents pages are informative as they feature all the articles. A variety of features offer more pleasure to people because they wont just be reading the same articles although throughout all of the page, they will still be suited to the genre.

The front pages are another informative feature as they contain the logo, title and many articles that are featured included in the magazine. It is the most attractive and eye catching part because of the images and the use of colour. The front page could be considered as the most important page as it is the part of the magazine that is advertised in shops and on the shelves. Also, headings and sub headings are a code and convention as hey tell readers a few of the stories, articles and features that will interest more people to read inside. Font size, type and colour are also all used to create image, representation and effect as well as the whole mise-en-scene.

All magazines follow a certain house style that is continuous through all the future issues. The house style includes the colour scheme and layouts that are suited to the magazine genre. An appropriate house style is important as the colours that are used would target particular audiences due to the ages, gender, social classes and races. If the institution is trying to interest young teenage girls, the colours most likely to be used are hot pinks, purples and reds as they are colours that are stereotypically linked with females, as opposed to the more mature blacks, reds and whites of indie publications.

Another code and convention of magazines are the issue number, date and bar code that are always positioned on the front page. The issue number and date both provide information which allows audiences to know that the magazine is the most recent issue. The bar code is needed as it needs to be scanned before it is bought. These three features are generally placed together as they are all the only features that do not appear inside the actual magazine.

Every magazine needs a masthead which is usually bold and creative so it will stand out from afar. It is placed in a position where it is clearly noticeable to the audience. Many mastheads are original and creative that have a link with the genre. Also, the name of the magazine is often used as a lure that persuades readers to look inside. Mastheads are also involved in the house style as magazines follow a certain layout. The masthead is the second largest feature on the front page and is normally placed at the top and instantly recognisable to the audience.

On all magazines, there is usually a lead story that takes up most of the page as it is the story that the institution think will make the audiences want to read and will get the most attention. It is the article that will probably be the most appealing article to the audience. The lead stories are usually exclusive and are given the most section of the page to attract the audience into thinking that the article will only be viewed in this particular magazine, therefore persuading them to buy it.

The layout of the magazine is usually portrayed in the continuous issues-this allows audiences to immediately notice the magazine without searching for it. Magazines generally follow a clear structure that isn’t too busy or too filled up. Some magazines have a similar layout although because the house styles colour and articles are different, this makes magazines stand out from each other providing variety.

Many magazines contain interactive features that allow readers to get involved and make reading the magazine a more enjoyable experience. Interactive features include quizzes, competitions and puzzles-these features are different from all the other articles so audiences will get a variety of content. Interactive features are considered to be fun and enjoyable.