Codes & Conventions of Music Magazine Front Covers

Masthead- title block, or the name of the magazine, can sometimes be covered by the main image if the magazine is well known

Slogan- words which associate with the magazine in advertising

Skyline- gives information about offers or competitions

Main Image- big picture and is main focus of the page, draws in reader by having the subjects look directly forward, catches the readers eye

Sell Lines- tells the reader about other articles in the magazine, usually at the side or bottom of the page which frames the main image, a maximum of 5 or 6 to prevent overcrowding, they make the reader interested but don’t give the story away

Anchorage Text- writing relating to the main picture to tell you what it is about, this is often in a large print to stand out as the magazines main story

Puffs- gives information about the content of the magazine, usually in a circle or a star

Kicker- story designed to stand out

Lure- used to make the reader want to read on

Colour Scheme- usually use 3 or 4 colours maximum to help keep the cover simple, primary colours are normally used to stop colours clashing, they are also bright to stand out to a reader

Masthead

Puff

Kicker

Anchorage text

Main Image

Sell Lines Skyline

Lure