Shout out to Tom

1. Magazine Cover
Codes and Conventions
Clarenz Badlis

2. Masthead
● Found at the head of the cover.
● The Masthead of a Magazine cover is the largest text on the front cover, and it is positioned at the heading/top of the
page. This is so the brand is easily seen and picked up by the audience.
● The colour and font size is unique, making it stand out from competing magazines.
● It does not cover the model, as it will often come behind it, making the model the focus of the magazine.
● The font colour will be relative to the magazine aesthetics, or following the company’s theme.

3. Coverlines
● Coverlines are placed around the model. As the model is the main focus of the cover. The main coverline placed near or
over the model, as it relates to the picture.
● Main coverline is the second biggest font, standing out from the rest, as it will attract the eyes of the audience.
● Often 6 coverlines (incl. main coverline). Informing the audience of the additional content inside the magazine.
● Bigger and bolder than the sublines, what go underneath the coverlines. This is so that the page wouldn’t be cramped,
but it will make it more informative of what the article is about.

4. Models
● Good looking personalities and celebrities.
● Posing in front of the camera.
● The model’s expression is blank or flirtatious.
● Model’s are well dressed, has make-up, and well groomed.
● Their costumes are bold, vibrant, and experimental.
All these techniques are used to grab the audience's attention, as it adds
character to the magazine, especially through the use of colours, expressions, and
costumes.

5. Picture
● Direct Address.
● One main image.
● Shot in a studio setting or an exotic location.
● Shallow depth of field, focusing on the model.
● Shot in medium full shot.
These techniques are used to give the model full spotlight and focus for
the magazine cover.

6. Additional features
● Strip: Positioned at the top or the bottom of the magazine,
informing extra content and what else is inside the magazine.
● Colour scheme: Following the theme of the company, or follows
the aesthetic of the front cover. To make them recognisable
from competing brands.
● Buzz words: Words used that will catch readers attention. E.g.
FREE, NEW, EXCLUSIVE.
● Puff: Extra or eye catching content and feature inside the
magazines. E.g. Pull outs, discount prices, and free giveaways.
● Barcode: Found at the bottom corners of the magazine. Next to
it will have the price, website, issue number and publish date of
the magazine.