Key Codes and

Conventions – front cover

Regional Magazine

Properties found in a Magazine

• A consistent house style, which represents the image and ethos of the magazine

• Use of colour, to create a feel for the magazine• Layout is used to style the piece and direct

readers attention to main focus

The name of the Magazine ABSOLUTELY South East – the word ABSOLUTELY is prominent on the page, and in a contrasting colour to the other text. This makes it stand out and indicates an importance of the word. ABSOLUTELY is a brand name, representing different regions across the UK. They have used the title in this way to create a transferable brand image across all of their magazines and a fan of ABSOLUTELY would instantly recognise it. They have used an orange colour, which contrasts with the background, whilst blending with the colour scheme for the front cover. They have used a bold serif font, creating a contemporary feel to the magazine and making it appeal to a younger target audience. By using capital letters they are bringing the readers attention to the importance of the word. For the reader, South East is a second though as they initially identify the magazine as ABSOLUTELY. They have followed a key code and convention of a regional magazine by including the region it is targeted at and represents in the name of the magazine.

They have made use of a Main Cover line which makes use of a different font to the rest of the page. ‘The Futures Bright’, this suggests that the magazine features something which will affect the reader in the future making them want to read the magazine. A key code and convention of a regional magazine is to have a main cover line which draws the readers attention and makes them want to read on. This creates a hermeneutic code of the reader wanting to know what the magazine is referring to, in this case what has made the future bright, and who the future bright will be for. They have made use of a white colour, with a thin capital serif font. This gives the magazine a contemporary and modern feel, whilst contrasting the background and making the sell line stand out. They have written the text over the main image which also draws the readers attention to the image. The description of the cover line is again written in white, however this time in italic and bold. This makes it clear this is still relevant to the main cover line, whilst remaining separate. The use of white has a connotation of positive things, and by using this on a title about the future being good – it is connoting to the reader about the topic.

They have made use of sell lines around the front cover, written in bold white serif fonts creating a contemporary feel and staying in keeping with the ABSOLUTELY house style, of modern and contemporary with bright colours. Rated in importance, by how they stand out on the page. The topic on Inspector Gadget, and Helen Graves are in a bold font, making them stand out from the grey background. , with their description/subtitle in a standard font which is harder to read from a distance. The third sell line is in a standard font, ‘Print Impress’, with the description/subtitle in bold, lowercase. This suggests that for the top two sell lines the headline explains the most about the article and therefore attracting the readers attention, whereas the third headline/title does not explain as much and therefore they want the readers attention to be brought to the description. By using the word ‘Explore’, they are suggesting that the magazines article is very descriptive giving the reader an immersive reading experience.

At the bottom of the page, they have used the magazines motto, ‘Stylish, Intelligent, Elegant, Absolutely’. Written in a bold font, in gold it is clear this is something which is part of the magazines ethos/house style. Something which would appear on every edition, this is because it is formatted in the same way as the title, yet does not stand out as much on the front cover. This could be because this is not a selling point of the magazine and therefore does not need to attract the readers eye to get them to buy it. This is there instead, to once the reader has picked up the magazine and started reading they get an idea of the style of the magazine and the content inside. A key code and convention of a magazine is to portray the ethos and image of the magazine itself on the front cover. This gives the reader an impression of what it will be like. Usually done through the use of a motto/strapline.

They have featured the price and issue date in the top left corner, by using a small font for this it is indicated this is not of importance to the front cover.

The background of ABSOLUTELY South East, is a woman wearing an orange coat which compliments her orange hair. The reason for the image is not made clear on the front cover, creating a hermeneutic code for the reader, wanting to know who she is and why she is on the front cover of the magazine.

Summary of Key Codes and Conventions used:

The magazine Kent Life, October 2011 edition produced by Archant has a white title. This is used in every Kent Life magazine, and allows it to stand out on the page. The reader would recognise the magazine clearly, and by using the word Kent in the name, they are making it clear the topic of the magazine. By using a white colour, they are allowing the text to stand out on the page by contrasting against the background.

They have put the Archant logo in the top left corner. They brand the magazine in this way as it is a recognisable logo. This increases the chance of someone buying it if they have read a similar Archant magazine before. They make use of white text across the cover to allow the sell lines stand out from the background. By using the colour white they are creating a connotation of purity and innocence, suggesting that the magazine is something appropriate for all, giving an impression of a ‘nice’ magazine.

They have used a mixture of white and orange text. The orange blends in with the mainly orange background of the magazine. The use of this background gives the reader a key idea of the topic of the magazine. In this case the main cover line is regarding ‘The birds and the bees’, creating a clear correlation between the background and this. The background is designed to be eye catching, to attract the readers attention. If someone is interested in plants, or bees then they would see the front cover and identify the magazine as something of interest to them.

The main cover line is coloured white with an orange “&”. By using these colours and a more traditional font they are allowing it to stand out from the background. By using the orange they are tying it in to create a colour scheme on the magazine. They have followed this house style throughout the other sell lines on the page, however they have used a standard serif font to distinguish these from the main cover line.

The use of a second image at the bottom of the page, gives the reader a glimpse into the magazine and it’s topics without having to open it and start reading.

Key Codes and Conventions:• Title gives clear idea of

topic• Background of landscape

from region• White text, makes

background contrast• Mixture of serif and

traditional fonts• Additional picture to show

glimpse of topics• Clear correlation to region

This edition of Kent Life, March 2014 – produced by Archant makes use of a white title. This allows it to be in keeping with the magazines ethos, whilst standing out from the background. By using a traditional font they are making a clear target at their audience, an older generation. They have used a background of a castle, making a clear link to the main topic of the magazine with another linked main cover line. They have used white text throughout the front cover with yellow to blend with the flowers at the bottom of the background image.

They have made use of a green banner at the top of the page, which also allows a contrast against the background. Drawing the readers eye to the magazine and allowing them to focus on the information it is covering, in this case a competition. A key code and convention of a magazine to advertise competitions or chances to win something to get the reader to buy it. The sell lines around the page are in serif fonts, white and yellow to contrast from the background whilst blend in.

Summary of codes and conventions:• Use of contrasting

colours on background and text to make it stand out

• Clear correlation between region and content

• Sell lines and main cover line alternating typeface and colours

• Colours blend with background whilst creating house style

issuu.com

This edition of Time Out London, issue 2193, costing £1.25 features the Time Out London logo in the top left hand corner. The iconic logo, used in Time Out magazines across the world meaning readers of other Time Out magazines would recognize it. By doing this it creates a recognizable brand image which readers would recognize without having necessarily read that specific version. In the case of Time Out London this magazine centers around the London area and topics, thus the “London” added to Time Out. By placing the image over the logo, they are confident the brand image is easily recognizable without having to look properly at the logo.

The background of this edition of Time Out is an image of someone jumping in a London scene. This creates a correlation between the image and the main cover line; “Extreme London”, by showing a jump from such a high place, they are creating the extreme connotation in the readers mind. The subtitle for the main cover line “Experience this city’s most intense adrenaline rushes”, this gives information on the topic covered. The word “EXTREME”, is written in black, bold uppercase typeface which suggests importance. The use of the yellow background replicates warning tape, accentuating the extremeness of the topic.

For the subtitle, they have used a smaller, white serif font which still allows the writing to stand out from the background whilst making it clear this is not the main topic. They have placed the barcode, on the left hand side – a common feature of a magazine to place it on the left hand side. This cover does not make use of sell lines all over the page, instead they are centered in one location. The use of white text allows it to contrast from the background. The use of “Inside” with the yellow background keeps a house style with the main cover line.

For the subtitle, they have used a smaller, white serif font which still allows the writing to stand out from the background whilst making it clear this is not the main topic. They have placed the barcode, on the left hand side – a common feature of a magazine to place it on the left hand side. This cover does not make use of sell lines all over the page, instead they are centered in one location. The use of white text allows it to contrast from the background. The use of “Inside” with the yellow background keeps a house style with the main cover line.

Codes and Conventions:• Use of recognizable

logo• Logo is covered by

image, suggesting brand is well known

• House style decided by topic

• Colours of fonts contrast with background

• Use of serif fonts gives a contemporary feel

This edition of Surrey Life, from January 2014 published by Archant makes use of many codes and conventions I have identified in the other magazines published by Archant. The logo, prominent in the top center of the front cover, is white in a traditional font. The use of the word “Surrey” makes it clear to the reader the topic of the magazine/the region it is aimed at. A distinct background from the region catches the readers eye.

Various sell lines around the page alternate between serif and traditional fonts creating a house style to the magazine. The use of white and yellow writing makes the text stand out from the background whilst being easy to read, and ties the magazine together forming an image and ethos of this edition. The main cover line “Get set for 2014” written in a yellow colour. The main cover line would suggest to the reader the main topic for the magazine, and due to the issue date this would be one for people who are looking towards 2014.

At the bottom of the page, a white background allows the further sell lines to stand out on the page, with additional images. This gives more information about the magazine and the topics within. The bottom of the page contains features that are not directly related to the main cover line or the image used as the background. They have used different colour text for the sell lines at the bottom of the page. These are making use of traditional font, in red. This creates a separate colour scheme related to the woman's hat in the small image. This still however, ties in with the rest of the page.

Summary of Codes and Conventions:• Large centered title• Clear brand image• Ties in with publisher

brand image• Contrasting text colours

reflect background to create colour scheme

• Bottom panel shows separate topics with a different style to rest of front cover