What I have found out from my magazine analyis

From looking at three existing music magazines. I have found out that on a front cover the main conventions  that should be included are such as the following:

• The magazine should have no more than 3 colours because any more makes it look unprofessional
• Include the main feature in the center of the magazine with a clear image and a caption underneath to illustrate the image as this can interest the audience more
• Include other features with images next to them and a caption next to them
• Include a banner along the top of the magazine summarising the content of the magazine
• Include a feature that is not about music, but something such as fashion or reviews of the latest films etc
• The masthead should have a different bolder font that is eye catching and draws in the reader
• Also included should be a bar code, price and date published.

When creating a contents page, I have found that the following conventions should be used to make it look professional:

• Include images of features that are going to appear in the magazine next to these add the page numbers next to them
• Separate into columns different sections of the magazine e.g features, fashion advise, beauty tips. Next to each of these have a brief description on each page with the page numbers next to them.
• Use the same 3 colours that was used on the front cover of the magazine, showing a connection and a current flow throughout.
• Include a small section of a competition and the page number to find more information on that page

When creating a double page spread, I have found out that the following conventions are good to use:

• Include a large image and two smaller images of the artist of who the article is about. This should be the artist who was the main feature on the front cover of the magazine
• A large headline that's interesting and will draw in the audience to read the article
• The same colours used on the front cover and contents page to be used again to show consistency
• Images relating to the article but not necessarily of the artist. These images may include text next to them that is a quote from the article and is used as a caption
• The article should be introduced by a small introduction to what the interview is going to be about.