CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF MAGAZINE FRONT COVERS

Positioning statement

Main image

Masthead

Coverlines and sublines

Main heading

Direct address

Buzzwords

IMAGE(S) Main image of a celebrity (music artist) They are looking at the camera- direct

address which draws attention to the magazine.

Can be medium close-up, mid shot, close up or medium long shot.

There are smaller images that inform the reader of other articles in the magazine

This is useful if the reader isn’t attracted to the celebrity on the main image

No text covers up the main image (the face of the celebrity)

MAGAZINE TITLE Masthead is located at the top of the magazine

cover Goes from left to right and can go the full way

across or not Image can slightly cover up the masthead but

this usually only happens if the magazine is well known (e.g. Billboard)

Largest piece of text on the front cover Text is usually plain and bold but also unique as

they are trying to create a brand. Positioning statement is usually above or below

the title of the magazine title and acts as a tagline.

HEADLINES The main heading anchors the image and

usually is the second largest piece of text on the magazine cover

The coverlines give the reader some information about the other articles in the magazine (enigma code)

The sublines give the reader more information on the other articles of the magazine and is in smaller font under the coverlines

OTHER STUFF There is a colour scheme that usually

consists of 3 or 4 colours and they never clash but are usually bright

Buzzwords such as new, free or extra draw the reader in

Puffs (shapes) highlight key pieces of information and make certain texts stand out

Barcode is usually located at the bottom of the cover and is on the left, contains the price, date and issue number as well.