2. Components
A magazine front cover usually consist of several ‘core’ components
which all form together to attract a customer.
Masthead – Magazine name, used to make a ‘brand’ out of the
magazine.
Main image – The main image is designed to draw attention to the
magazine on a shelf. Traditionally an image of a popular band is
used to attract a target audience.
Strapline – Short description giving an overview of the magazine,
usually positioned just below the masthead.
Cover lines (sell lines) – Main stories in the magazine, used to attract
a customer with particular bands/stories that would interest them.
Usually poisoned around the outskirts of the main image.
Promotions (freebies) – Free gifts in a magazine that will draw a
reader into purchasing.
Barcode – Usually contains the magazine release date and price,
the barcode is used to help the retailer.
3. Layout Strapline
Masthead Main Image
The layout of the magazine is
very simple and clear, this makes
the genre of the magazine clear
to customers.
The main image (the girl) is
Cover lines
centred and in it’s own space so
that it’s ‘the centre of attention’.
The masthead is at the top of the
magazine, this allows the
magazines brand to be clearly
seen in a shop shelf environment.
The barcode is positioned on the
front page so customers can see
the price easier. It is tucked out
of the way so that it does not
infringe any of the key selling
elements.
Barcode
4. Use of images
At the centre of the magazine there
is a picture of a model. Although
the image doesn’t relate to the
magazines genre is does draw the
eyes attention to the magazine. If
more people see the magazine,
more people are likely to buy it.
Dotted around the magazine are
pictures of the gadgets featured
within the magazine. The use of the
pictures gives the audience a
‘preview’ of what’s going to be
inside a magazine. If a customer is
looking for a particular topic in a
magazine, for instance an iPhone ,
a picture is much more likely to
catch there attention compared to
a block of sell lines.
5. Text
The masthead is the biggest
piece of text on the page.
This allows it to be seen easily
on a shelf.
The number 50 at the bottom
is in a large text size and in a
bold font. This acts as a sell
line showing the customer
there's lots in the magazine.
All the text on the front cover
is at maximum a few words,
tis makes for a cleaner look
and is easier for a customer
to digest.
6. Colour and fonts
On the front cover of this magazine
there are a lot of different fonts, sizes
and colours. Personally I think there’s
slightly too much variation in the fonts,
also some don’t seem to merge very
well together. Although saying this the
fact they don’t merge together makes
certain parts stick out like ‘iPhone killers’
which would draw my attention.
T3 has a colour scheme based around
six different colours. Red is used for titles
as it stands out well against lighter
background colours. The subtitles and
small details are in orange. At the top of
the page the text switches tones in
between black and white. This is
probably to give a more
artistic/interesting effect and also helps
it stand out from the white background.
7. Target audience
The target audience of this
magazine is most likely an age
range in the 40’s and for people
who of course are interested in
gadgets and technology. Although
the picture of the girl show’s no
relevance to both the magazine or
target audience it draws peoples
attention to the magazine which
would lead to more sales. Also
including apple, particularly the
iPhone ,would draw a ‘gadget
lovers’ attention.. For example the
‘iPhone killer’ even if you dislike
iPhones you would still be intrigued
about what would kill off such an
iconic phone, thus drawing you into
buying the magazine.
