Preliminary Exercise-Codes and Convnetions of a Magazine Front Cover

Research
Codes and Conventions of a Magazine Front Cover
· Title – One word or letter(s) and is in the top left hand corner and covers the full page width
· Unique font on title – Same height and is the largest text on the front cover
· Main picture – Biggest picture and usually a band or singer medium close-up , no smiles conveys an attitude and they use direct address (looking at the reader)
· Main coverline – Over main picture to anchor picture and tells the meaning of the main image, frames main images and is on the left side of the cover
· Coverline – Usually two or three lines and are information about contents, tease the audience and provokes interest
· Cover line and subline – Few words as possible
· Smaller pictures – About other features in the magazine
· Consistent colour scheme – Only ever three or four colours throughout
· Typography – Look of the words and letters, consistent throughout only ever a few fonts used, they use the font to reflect the target audience and subject
· Serif Sans - Is youthful
· Bar Code – On the bottom right hand side as it’s the last place people usually look, is not on the back because a paid advert is placed there
· Free stuff – to entice readers to buy
· Buzzwords – Exclusives, strip at the bottom or top of the cover – list of names and topics
· Puff – something for nothing, sales puff
· Masthead – Title, Position statement , dater and price usually all together
· Positioning statement – By the title, either above or below issue date and price