Conventions of rock

Codes and Conventions

From my research of rock magazines, I have recognised common codes and conventions in rock magazines.

Focusing on the front cover of rock magazines, they share very similar features. They usually consist of a rock artist or a rock group presenting themselves from their stationary stance. However, an even common factor on the front cover is rock artists who are performing and showing signs of movement and life.

Specifically, looking at the artists shown on the front cover, seem to normally have long hair. The mise- en- scene also attains individuals having eccentric make up, or costumes. Props, such as guitars and microphones are also well known on rock covers, which associate with rock music, especially from the tattoos and wide-open mouthed facial expressions enforcing common conventions of rock magazines.

Stereotypically, specific codes and conventions are always required when thinking and creating a rock magazine. The common theme is also shared on the contents page. Usually, the contents is mixed with images and words. Page numbers are on top of images; columns are also a common convention to present the contents to the audience, suggesting an appealing appearance to the reader.

Double page spreads contain different codes and conventions, as they want to portray specific meanings towards the audience. However, some features are kept the same, such as the text appears to be so inferior to the image, from the small lettering typeface of the text compared to the dominant image of the rock star. Quotes are also used to intrigue the audience to usually draw the reader, and perhaps shorten the article into a short statement.

These codes and conventions are used throughout society to represent the rock magazines. As a result from these features staying the same, individuals know what they are looking at from the simple denotations from rock magazines.