Today we started our media coursework. I was given a booklet with a list of requirements to complete my coursework. They were to produce a front cover and contents page for a school magazine and to produce a front cover, contents page and a double page spread for a music magazine.
Because we have to produce a magazine front cover and contents, we worked in groups to discuss the codes and conventions. This is what we came up with;
The Codes and Conventions for a Magazine Front Cover
· Magazine titles are usually located in the top left-hand corner on the cover.
· The title is usually made up of one or two words with a unique font so that buyers can distinguish that it is that particular magazine.
· The title doesn’t obstruct the main facial features of the person in the central image.
· The central image is usually a medium close-up, a mid-shot or a close-up.
· The person in the central image uses direct address.
· The issue date and price are under the title or by the bar code.
· Main cover line links with the central image.
· They use buzz words such as ‘exclusive’.
· They use colour schemes.
· They usually have a website address.
· They use a positioning statement which is a statement the magazine makes about itself to attract buyers, and therefore positions itself in the market. This is usually above or below the title.
· They use cover lines. The main cover line is usually the biggest and links to the central image and anchors its meaning. Other cover lines structured in the same way: one or two words as heading (capitals, in bold, coloured- stand out) - alliteration often used.
· Sublines are used to attract the reader by indicating what the stories are in the article.
· Puffs are used to make the magazine more desirable by offering free giveaways.
The Codes and Conventions of a Contents page
· Letter from the editor
· Pictures, with page numbers anchor the content of the articles and dominate the page- vary in size.
· A list of articles with the page numbers- key words (name of celebrity/artist) in bold- stand out.
· Structure: - page number, key words (capitals, in bold, coloured, or a combination. Often larger than the sublines which explain the stories) around font size (10/11)
· An indication of the cover stories.
· Title of magazine- at the top above the contents.
· Date of issue/ website address at the bottom in either of the corners
· Column layout- usually 3 or 4- takes up a 3rd/4th of the page.
· Often double page spreads
· Articles with pictures divided into categories- often with headings.
· Include Website address and contact details: email address and postal address.
· Sometimes include a still of the front cover.
· Clear style in use of fonts that is often limited.
We researched the codes and conventions so that we could follow them and know what to include on the pages we produce.
No comments:
Post a Comment