2. 3 Pictures displaying to the reader
multiple things that are featured in the
issue. Simple but effective. The people
shown are from a variety of genres,
demonstrating that billboard is quite a
versatille magazine.
Page numbers used to clearly tell the
reader what page each feature is on –
very convenient.
Different fonts are used to
emphasise different things on the
page.
The billboard music chart is
displayed, which further
emphasises the fact that it is a
music magazine and this is
also a unique feature for
billboard magazine. It also
keeps audiences up to date
with the latest music.
The billboard logo is the same as the
magazine’s masthead. This makes it look
organised and sophisticated. Also makes the
font and logo memorable as it’s the same
everywhere.
Colour scheme is mainly black, white
and blue. This is good because it’s
quite simple and stops the page from
looking messy and cluttered.
Background of charts is grey
which is different from the
main contents page, this
separates it from the contents
page and makes it stand out
Same font as the contents font.
Shows array of articles with the
multiple pictures used = fufills
cognitive needs
Small descriptions make
the audience want to find
out more = enigmas =
Barthes
3.
4. Billboard common codes and conventions
• All of the Billboard contents pages are in the same layout, but with different text and
images in each issue. This makes it more memorable and makes it easier for the
reader to navigate around the page as opposed to changing the layout in every issue.
• Each billboard contents page have an updated version of the music charts, which is
unique compared to other music magazines. This can attract a lot of music fans who
are interested in the current popular music, I want to do something like this in my
contents page as I think that its very interesting to have.
• The same Billboard logo is used in the contents page as it is on the masthead. This
makes it more memorable and makes the contents page easily recognisable by
anyone even if they weren’t aware of what magazine they were looking at.
• The contents pages have simple layouts and colour schemes, making it look
sophisticated and neat.
• Subheadings are used to break up the text and clearly show the reader where
everything is, this is particuarly convenient if the reader buys the magazine for
certain topics as billboard is quite versatile.
5. Simple layout, clearly showing the
reader where to find things.
Only 2 images are on the contents page,
those being the last and current issue
front cover. They are the only source of
colour on the page which makes them
stand out a lot.
This is un- conventional as most
magazines display a lot of images that
correspond with the content of the issue
to interest the reader and provide more
information about the features in the
magazine.
Page is split into 4 sections, covers,
features, regulars and fashion.
Multiple fonts are used to emphasise
different parts of the page. This is
very conventional with magazine
front covers and I will do something
similar with mine.
Page numbers are clearly stated,
allowing the reader to easily navigate
themselves around the magazine –
common convention with a lot of
different magazines.
Black and white colour scheme is
used, which I think makes the page
look too simple and a bit boring.
The contents page isn’t very eye-
catching and looks quite dated.
Simple page, yet a lot of information
is displayed which could mean that
audience members could find it hard
to take in all the information –
especially as it’s lacking images.
Stories intrigue the reader =
engimas = Barthes
At least 210 pages
Long list of easy to navigate
elements – fulfils cognitive needs
6.
7. Clash common codes and conventions
• Out of the clash contents pages that I’ve looked at, the layout of them are all slightly
different, but still recognisable due to the consistency of the fonts and the simple black
and white colour theme.
• Although the contents page has an unconventional layout, it still follows simple
conventions as the page is split into sub headings and features page numbers.
• The clash contents page feature very few images, whereas well – established
magazines such as NME feature a lot more, this further represents the original house
style that clash uses, which Indie magazines seem to adopt. The fact that the images
are also quite small and placed next to eachother in one section demonstrate that the
focus isn’t really on the images, which is quite unconventional because usually the
images are scattered around to interest the reader and give them details about the
features in the magazine.
8. Image takes up a lot of the screen,
model is directly looking at the camera
which creates a personal feeling with
the audience and holds attention.
Simplistic and minimalistic
approach is used. Challenges
conventions but looks very
sophistiated and unique.
Font colour theme is black
and white. I found this
boring with the clash
magazine but on this page I
think it looks simple yet
intriguing.
‘Contents’ is written in a
very small font, very un-
conventional as it is usually
very big and bold to clearly
state that it’s the contents
page.
Issue number is written in the
largest font on the page –
unusual.
Focuses a lot more on aesthetic
features than informing reader
about the issue – reflects the
style of the magazine.
Unique layout, even for an
Indie magazine.
Page number and magazine
name shown – very common in
magazins that I’ve looked at.
Direct mode of address =
personal relationship = uses &
grats
Small descriptions to intrigue
the reader = cognitive needs
9.
10. Fader common codes and conventions
• The fader contents pages are extremely minimalistic, with barely anything on the
page at all. This is quite a unique convention as usually music magazines tend to
make the contents page bright and eyecatching to attract the reader.
• Consistent layout used throughout all the Fader contents pages – makes it easily
recognisable by its readers. 1 main image that takes up a lot of the page, with the
issue number and date at the top of the page and the magazine contents
underneath the image.
• Black and white font colour theme – the contrast between the black and the white
enables the visuals of the magazine to be clear, and also makes the page look very
sophisticated. Only colourful aspect of the page is the image.
• Fader have very unconventional contents pages and are very unique, compared to
other magazines I’ve looked at. Their pages are very minimalistic and simple which
contrasts a lot to other magazines which have colourful and informative contents
pages to attract the reader. Fader’s contents page layout emphasises its retro indie
style.
