Left ThirdThe use of left third is conventionally present on many music magazine covers. This is so that the magazine’s cover lines can still be clearly viewed when magazines overlap on shelves in store

Several Cover LinesThese are conventionally seen on music magazines as they give previews of what articles are inside the magazine edition, which can persuade readers to purchase the magazine

MastheadMastheads are conventionally placed at the top of music magazines, in bright colours and a bold sans serif font type

Close-up imageMusic magazines conventionally contain a close-up image of the

celebrity interviewed, which is in the main centre of the layout

Cover StoryA cover story based on the

celebrity featured on front cover is very conventional for music

magazines. They are in a large bold font and the colour usually

contrasts against the background colour

Barcode, date and priceThese are conventional features on

magazines so that they can be purchased, recorded and so that

customers know what they're buying at what price

Sans Serif FontsSans serif fonts are conventionally used, as it makes the text easier to read and more appealing to younger target audiences

Contents Page HeadingsThese are conventionally

used as they clearly show audiences this is a contents page and readers can easily

see where the following articles are listed with page

numbers

ImagesImages that relate to the

magazine’s articles are conventionally used on contents pages, as they make the articles

appear more appealing and interesting to read for target

audiences and make the page look more eye-catching and fun

Page NumbersPage numbers are a conventional feature on contents pages, as here is where the up-coming articles are listed, so that readers know where to flick to in the magazine, to find the right page with the article they wish to read on

Pull QuotesThese are conventionally used on double spreads

to interest readers by giving them a preview of

the article, which will persuade them to read on

Use of KickersKickers are conventionally used at the beginning of articles, as they are in larger and bolder fonts, which draw attention into the text

Blocks of TextText is laid out in blocks

running downwards, which shows readers this double page spread is an

interview, as this is a conventional layout for

magazine articles

ImagesSeveral images of the music artist being interviewed are conventionally placed around the text, as it will automatically show readers who the article is about

From carrying out a great amount of detailed research into the designs of music magazines, I have concluded that there are numerous techniques and features that many magazines include. For example:

• Route-of-the-eye layout technique• Use of left third• Structured and organised design of layout• Close-up image of featured celebrity• Dominant, bright and bold masthead• Cover Story• Cover Lines• Contrast of Colours• Sans serif fonts• Contrast of small and large sized fonts• Barcode, date, price and even number of issue Use of route-of-the-eye Use of left third

Billboard is a music magazine that caters for a wide range of music genres. Including pop, ‘R’n’B’, soul, rap,

hip-hop and rock. Therefore, Billboard design every edition of their magazine to suit the music artist heading it. This way the magazine will appeal as much as possible to the music artist’s fans, giving Billboard a wider target

audience. Billboard personalise every issue by taking into considering the conventions of the chosen genre.

For example, pop music is an up-lifting genre, therefore it is associated with bright colours, fun uses of mise-en-

scene and relaxed colloquial language. Whereas, hip-hop and rap genres are more diverse, with harsher and

faster paced beats, strong language and can be represented as having more powerful lyrics. Therefore,

black and white colours are conventionally used on magazines with this genre, to connote the dominance of the artists and to emphasise their influence on music, as

black and white are very classy and sophisticated colours. They also have much bolder fonts, to make the

cover look more harsh and extreme.

Hip-Hop/Rap Issues:Has black and white

colour schemes with large bold fonts

Pop Issues:Has bright and lively colour schemes, with fun uses of mise-en-scene

Billboard’s brand identity is represented as entertaining and up-lifting, with a positive vibe. This is implied through a normal use of:

• Happy Celebrity Faces – which connote an inviting and friendly feel to the magazine

• Bright Colours – which add life to the cover and make it appear eye-catching and enjoyable to view

• Sans Serif Fonts – which connote a youthful atmosphere to the cover, showing Billboard is up-to-date and representing modernity

• Colloquial Language – which creates an informal vibe to the brand identity, showing Billboard is a very relatable magazine, who understands their target audience’s psychographics and demographics and knows how to appeal to them

Mise-En-Scene

Quirky, fun and bright uses of clothing and props have been used

on this Billboard cover to reflect the positive tone, liveliness and

eccentric sound of pop genre. Also, the use of black on the artist’s

costume and hair signifies class and sophistication, showing she is a

powerful and influential pop genre music artist.

Lighting

High-key lighting has been used through-out this image, so that the cover appears very fresh, clean and eye-catching. This way, the music artist’s face is extremely emphasised, high-lighted and eye-grabbing to readers. The high-key lighting also contrasts with the light pink colour scheme, to give a relaxing tone.

Camerawork

Many music magazine front covers have mid-shots or close-ups of the featured celebrity. This is so that they are clearly the main focus of the cover and so their costumes,

props, makeup, face, hair and body language is all fully on display.