Codes and conventions

In order to help me produce a music magazine and follow the conventions of it, i have researched popular music magazines and written some codes and conventions based on them

Name	Colour Scheme	Language	Masthead	Layout
“Q”- www.qthemusic.com	Red, black, white, very plain colour scheme.	Very modern mature language very centralised on music	Again, very simple plain colours with no catchy slogan	Modernised textboxes with black text on white background, not many pictures.
“NME”- www.NME.com	Red, black, white, grey. Lack of colour is made up with lots of pictures.	Clear language and statements that evoke curiosity in the reader. “Gorrilaz unveil new single”	Large red letters, which adds to the simplicity of the name “NME” with slogan first for music news. Which will make more readers buy the magazine.	Not a very clear layout, there’s lots of pictures which attract the readers eye. Lots of text which is sometimes a bit jumbled, and hard to follow.
“MOJO” – www.mojo4music.com	Black and white with the occasional glimpse of red and brown, however there is not much variation.	Mature language always centralised around music, many of the bands featured are old.	Plain and simple, capital letters of the word “MOJO” black on a white background, again reiterating the simplicity,	Information arranged in tables on one side and advertisements on the other. Simple colours to make the magazine more sophisticated.

Codes and conventions.

	Classical	Metal	R&B	Pop	legendary
Colour Scheme	Red, black, white, simple.	Black, silver, blue, cool colours	Gold, orange, red, silver	Pink, blue, yellow, green, primary colours	Red, black, white simple again

ü  Bold, eye catching mastheads

ü  Professional, iconic pictures

ü  Catchy sell lines appropriate for target audience

ü  Exclusive interviews

ü  Language that will attract the target audience

ü  Clear, well thought out layout

ü  Variety in font sizes and colour

ü  Some contain free gifts

ü  Additional information on tour dates etc

Reader profile

I have made 2 parts to my reader profile. This first one is a collection of images that would appeal to the typre of person who would read my magazine. Images include the x factor, pixie lott, v festival, mcdonalds etc. I have also typed up what my readers likes/ dislikes are along with additional important information.

Turn it up: Reader Profile

Age: 16-20

Gender: Male and female, however mostly aimed at females.

Likes: Festivals, going out with friends, clubbing, chart music, radio 1, alcohol, popular television programmes like the x factor, topshop and topman, fashion, musical intruments like guitar, friends, cinema, camping

Dislikes: Chavvy music, nerds, homework, staying at home on the weekends, parents, annoying siblings, radio 4, classical music,  hangovers.

Music taste: Anything in the charts, Pixie Lott, The Killers, Marina and the Diamonds, Bruno Mars, Florence and the Machine, Snow patrol, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding, Tinnie Temper.

Clothing: Latest fashion trends, clothes seen in high street shops like Topshop/ Topman, H&M and River island.

Education: Either studying a-levels, at university or in employment/ unemployed.

Media Music Questionairre

I have made a questionairre for my music magazine, and I am going to use the results to help me with the planning of it.

Audience Questionairre.

1)   What would you call a pop music magazine aimed at age 16+?

Turn it up

Music Notes

Priceless Pop

Other.

2)   For the main image what would you like to see. Please put a ring round the appropriate answer.

a)    Male/Female

b)   Solo artist/ group

3)   What props and what location would you like to see on the front cover?

4)   List 3 key words you’d expect to see on the front cover of a music magazine?

5)   What Articles in a music magazine grab your attention?

6)   Would you like more images rather than text?

7)   What colour scheme would you like to see?

8)   Would you like to see a collection of modern and vintage music?

9)   When reading a music magazine, what features do you look at first?

10)                Would you be interested in the following ( you can tick more than one)

a)    Band/ solo artist interviews

b)   Album reviews

c)    New artists

d)   Top ten singles of the week

11)How often would you like the magazine to be published?

a) Once a week

b) Fortnightly

c) Once a month

d) Other

12)Do you read the editors letter?

13) If no, what would make you read it?

14) Would you be interested in seeing any advertising e.g tour dates and festivals?

15) What style would you like the magazine to follow?

16) What is the maximum amount you’d be willing to pay for the magazine?