Codes and Conventions of a magazine cover

Examples:

Top Section

• Masthead/title – top left aligned, either goes completely across the top or top left if short.

• Big font, unique from other fonts.• Title always overlaps image, unless well

known magazine. • Positioning Statement – the magazines

line of promotion for itself/ethos either above or below title.

Bottom Section

• Barcode – usually at bottom right, can be horizontal or vertical.

• Price, issue number, date and website.

• Price – the more expensive, the smaller or harder it is to find.

Images

• One main image – well known person.• Direct Address – looking at audience.• Mid shot or close up, longer shot used if

showing a band.• Photos are generally posed.• No text on facial aspect of image.• Background to main image is plain to make

image stand out more.• Smaller subsidiary images link to other stories

inside magazine or other cover lines.

Text

• Buzz word – used to suggest that it is something special to this magazine e.g. “New, “Exclusive”.

• Cover lines – quite ambiguous on purpose to draw the reader in

• 5-6 cover lines – doesn’t vary, 3-4 words long. • Always in capitals, all the same font and frame

the image.• Main cover lines – anchors the main image,

larger font than cover lines.

• Sub-line – adds detail to cover line, not always making story clear on purpose.

• Colour Scheme – 3-4 different colours maximum, simple colour scheme, generally primary colour as they don’t clash.

• Font – (main/cover lines and sub-lines) Sans-Serif, plain.