1. Codes and conventions of a magazine
Any reader buying a magazine would expect to see a front cover, contents and double
page spread.
Front cover
• Mast head - tends to be the most eye catching part of a magazine, it’s what
draws the audience in through the font and nature of the name & emphasises
the genre of music
• Photos (full bleed image) & other small images - this opens up the magazine
to what artists will be staring in the magazine, helping the reader decide
whether they are interested in the magazine or not
• Barcode - helps the audience purchase the magazine easily
• Plugs – makes the magazine more interesting and enjoyable to read
• Subtitles – engages the reader to what’s involved in the issue
• Price - this can be the main decider of whether someone purchases a magazine
or not, if the price is too expensive people may not invest their money into it
however if it’s to low they may think it’s because the content inside is poorly
written
Contents page
• Title - suggests to the reader where about they are in the magazine and what
the page is about
• Photos (selection) – ensures the contents page doesn’t get overloaded with
images
• Articles with page numbers – allows the reader to be directed to the exact
article they want to read about rather than having to flick through the whole
magazine wasting their time
• Issue number – helps the reader know where about they are with the magazine
in the concept that they will know whether they’re up to date or behind on the
issue
• Subscribe column – helps the reader feel understood by the magazine in the
fact they may want to be a part of the magazine and therefore purchase it
monthly/weekly ect
Double page spread
• Title – introduces the reader to what the articles about, if the title doesn’t look
professional and interesting dependent on the reader it may establish whether
they read the article or not
• Main image – this ensures the magazine keep the viewer interested in the
magazine so that they don’t get bored while reading and normally the artists
facial expressional tells a story about the article itself
• Article – information about the artist/band and the interview they’ve had with
them, the main reasoning why people normally invest in magazines
• Clear font – if the reader can’t read the writing due to the font this can be a
massive disadvantage as they are meant to be relaxing while reading not being
stressed out.
• Article number – reminds them of the article they’re reading
• Background – this is eye catching and can make the magazine can make this
their unique feature to the magazine

2. Audience of a magazine
Why do we read magazines?
Many people read magazines to form a personal identity, this may be because the
artist who’s involved in that particular magazine is their role model and they aspire to
be like them. You may argue you can just get information about them online to feel a
part of that artists life but there is always something about having the ownership of a
magazine – it is also more trustworthy that online information. Sometimes online
information can be copied and pasted and not always correct, we know we can trust
the information which print magazines provide. Some people may read magazine for
the pure pleasure and enjoyment of sitting down and relaxing reading as people have
that with when they read newspapers, not all magazines are pricy suggesting people
don’t have an issue with spending a couple of quid on magazines. Unlike online
magazines you can be involved in competitions and winning prices, this is a huge
advantage and gives a massive readership for print magazines, people love the idea of
wining free gifts and getting involved with concerts and gigs through magazines of
their choice. Depending on the person, readers may believe that the articles which are
involved in magazines are unique and are more personal structured to that artists lives
something which you can’t always find online.
Benefits of reading magazines?
If the reader can feel a part of the magazine that creates an excellent personal identity
for that person, some people rely on magazines to help them form this identity as they
want to follow the lives of their role models. It can also be a relaxing pass time for
those who want to have some chill out time for themselves. The pleasure and benefits
which the lucky winner gain from winning competitions must be a good enough
reason for them to stay involved with print magazines.
Why would they still read a magazine in light of easier (and cheaper) access to similar
material on the internet?
The aspect that you have possession of a magazine, it’s yours – you can pick it up at
any time and read it without having to search the web for information. Which links
into my next point of being able to travel with it anywhere, not being worried about
losing signal underground or on the plane, you have access to it at all times once
purchased. You gain an inside knowledge to ‘superiority’ what does the magazine
believe has more powers in the magazine? You can understand this through the
imagery size, what artist stars in the magazine and which doesn’t?
Representation of a magazine –
How is your particular genre of music represented?
My genre of music is pop/urban/indie
The term ‘indie’ itself comes from the meaning ‘independent’ which explains this
genre of music, the artists are themselves and don’t follow any certain coding, they
dress original and all their music is different from the rest which is what makes it
stand out being better. Most urban artists started of small, bands would be practicing
at their homes putting together their wedges for the week to pay for gigs – this is what

3. makes this genre of music represent ordinary lives which have been changed for the
better. It helps inspire more teenagers that they can start of nothing and become
everything, which is something which other genres of music don’t have. This type of
music can be aimed at both girls and boys, they don’t single out either gender through
music. In fact they ensure all music videos and styling of them is based for both. The
style in which urban/indie pop artists wear is stereotyped ‘hipster’ the unique look in
which they dress with funky clothing this represents the artists of how different they
are to the rest of artists out there.
Artists following my music genre
The 1975
Bastille
Mumford’s and sons
James Arthur
Eminem
Institution of my magazineHow do magazine publishers make money?
Through advertisement – people invest in the magazine by paying for their adverts to
be involved in the magazine
The readership – everyone who buys the magazine is gaining them a profit, and those
who subscribe to them also will gain them a profit.
How are they attempting to retain audiences?
Sticking to the same house style throughout their magazines – ensuring the audience
are able to pick up that’s the magazine they were reading before. This also ensures the
magazine stays looking professional and avoids looking tacky (engaging an older
audience readership)
Competitions –people will keep investing in a magazine if they have the
understanding they are in a chance of winning a price
Popular artists talking about their lives – this engages readers, they want to gain
knowledge of their favourite stars. If the artists are unknown its less likely the reader
would invest in that magazine.
Advertisement – suggests the magazine is a well-known brand and companies are
prepared to invest in their business.
What business models are used to ensure a sustained audience?
(What are some of the magazine’s wider assets – TV, radio, awards, stages etc)
Magazines which share other aspects than just a magazine of radio stations, reward
ceremony’s ect suggest to the reader they are a stable company with enough money
and knowledge of the reader to be able to have these things. Promoting your business
through different forms of media will gain a wider audience, even if they’re not
interested in the magazine the aspect they can get involved with festivals may drift
them to getting involved.