codes and conventions

1. Magazine Front
Cover
Codes And Conventions

2. Masthead:
The masthead is the
name of the magazine. It
is usually placed right at
the top of the magazine,
in the middle or slightly
to the left. The font of
the masthead is unique
and only used for the
masthead, not on any
cover lines. Also the
masthead font has
connotations to the
music genre.

3. Cover Lines:
Cover lines are small
phrases which are on
the sides of a
magazine cover. They
are based around the
image. The cover lines
tell us what is
included in the
magazine, and they
always relate to what
is on the front cover.

4. Main Cover Line:
A main cover line is
always related to the
main image on the front
cover. Also the colours of
the cover line are still
related to the colour
scheme.

5. Positioning Statement:
A positioning statement is used
to tell the audience more about
the magazine. It gives the reader
a very short explanation of what
is in the magazine.

6. Splash:
A splash is on the cover of a magazine,
usually on the left or right. A splash is used to
draw the readers to it.

7. Colour Scheme:
Every magazine front cover
has a certain colour scheme.
In this case, the colour
scheme is blue. A colour
scheme is so that the
magazine looks good and
appeals to its audience.

8. Background:
The background of a magazine
cover is usually one block colour
(preferably white or black). This
is so that we focus on the main
image on the cover and we are
not distracted by the background.
Also if the background is plain,
this means that the cover lines
are easier to read.

9. Sub Images:
Sub Images are smaller
images which are on the front
cover. These images will
always relate to the theme
and genre of the magazine,
they contain music
iconography. Usually they are
showing us what is inside of
the magazine, in this case the
magazine is showing us what
posters are included inside.

10. Main Image:
The main image of a magazine is
always taken of a celebrity, this
is celebrity endorsement. The
image taken is a medium close-
up with use of direct mode of
address as the celebrity is
looking directly into the camera.

11. Genre:
With every magazine there
is a specific genre. The
genre is made very clear
from the pictures, the
colours used, the font, and
the celebrity endorsement.

12. A Buzz Word:
Buzz words on a front
cover of a magazine
are single words,
such as; “exclusive!”
or “free!”, they are
usually capitalised to
stand out to the
readers.

13. Banner:
Some magazines have a
banner on the cover. This is
so that the information
inside the banner catches
the readers attention.

14. Barcode, issued date and price:
The barcode, issued date and
price is on the front cover of a
magazine. Usually it is small