Exsisting Magazines

In order for me to create a successful magazine cover i had to begin by identifying the codes and conventions of exsisting music magazines. This is so that i am able to develop my ideas so that they follow and also challenge the codes and conventions. I chose to look at NME and Q magazine as my examples. This was because i felt that they were magazines of the same genre and gave off the same vibe that i wanted my magazine to have.

The first magazine that i chose to look at was NME. This magazine follows the common codes and conventions. It does this because it has a masthead, uses a main image, a logo and a strap line.
The masthead of the magazine is in large, bold font and located in the top left hand corner. This follows the usual codes and conventions as the majority of magazines have their masthead in that particular format. The title of the magazine 'NME' stands for 'New Musical Express' this gives the impression that this magazine is presenting it's target audience with new and fresh news, up and coming bands that have never been seen before and the word 'express' makes the reader think about newspapers meaning that this magazine is a newspaper for music, it's regular and 'reliable'. The masthead uses four main colours and this is a common theme throughout alot of magazines. There is one main image on the front of the magazine and this is a mid shot.It has also been taken in a studio location and this an affect which means they have more than likely been told how to stand and be positioned to make the image be presented in the best possible way to the intended target audience. Having only one image on the front cover creates a more dynamic affect to the magazine making it more appealing to readers. This image follows the typical conventions because the shot of an artists face is recognisable and what the reader wants to see. Although the image does intrude on the masthead this isn't that important because the magazine is already well established therefore the audience know what they are out to buy and are just looking for the 'hot' new bands and news on these.
Additionally the NME magazine has many cover lines these provide extra information about what else is to offer inside the magzine. These are located in different positions all over the front cover and are highlighted in such ways as boxes and circles to attract the reader.
The Q magazine is slightly different to the NME one although it still uses the same codes and conventions. The masthead is once again situated in the top left hand corner. There is also a very large image on the front but this time it doesn't intrude on the name of the magazine. Also on the front of this maagazine there is a single image of Lily Allen whereas on the front of NME it is a group shot of The Automatic.
The cover of Q also uses straplines and cover lines to keep the audience engaged and attracted to buying the magazine. Although the Q cover is alot less complex and 'busy' than NME it still follows the correct codes and conventions of a magazine and therefore creates the right affect for its intended audience. Compared to the NME cover the cover of Q gives off a more 'sophisticated' feel this is also where it challenges the conventions of other magazines as it provides a more versatile style and affect.
The third magazine cover that i chose to analyse was the cover of Vogue. The image on this cover is a close up shot and is quite obviously taken in a studio location and this is made clear by the way that a backdrop is used in the background and unatural settings are shown.The image used is left in the centre with no intrusion from the masthead or cover lines. The masthead is written across the top of the magazine which is not typical of usual codes and conventions this is because usually it is situated in the top left hand corner. Although it is not in the usual place the masthead is still in large, bold font which is always good as it makes the magazine more easily recognised. Vogue magazine keeps to simple colours and usually just uses one main colour throughout the whole of the magazine. For example on this cover it uses white for the masthead and for the smaller cover lines.
The cover of this magazine is quite simple although it proves to be affective in the same way.

From this research that i have produced on looking at existing magazines covers i can begin to create a music magazine which follows but in some ways also challenges the codes and conventions of magazines that already exist. This is so that i can affectively attract my target audience.