The document examines the key features typically included on the front cover of a magazine. These include: the title functioning as a logo; a tagline accompanying the title; a large central image of a cover artist making eye contact; smaller images highlighting additional content; a quote from the cover artist in a large font; the artist's name by the quote; a small price; and the issue date. Other common elements are special offers, coverlines linked to interior pages, shapes drawing attention to offers or lines, the magazine website, and names of featured acts. The conclusion is that including these standard elements will help ensure all necessary components are on the front cover.

2. Intro
0 I want to research the features of a front cover so that
I make sure I have all of the necessary features
included to make a successful magazine.
0 In order to do this I am going to examine all of the
features included on Q magazine’s front cover and will
comment on whether I think they are necessary for
my magazine

3. The title of the magazine is
obviously a necessity. This needs
to be a prime focus of the reader
and needs to be recognisable so
that it is memorable. It is almost
like the logo for the magazine.
The title is often accompanied by
the magazine’s tagline ‘the
essential music guide’ is easy to
read and links in well with the title
as it is close by it. The tagline
however shouldn’t ever over
power the title of the magazine.

4. The cover image is usually a mid
shot of the artist(s) that are going
to be included in the issue. This is
also a large image as it needs to be
one of the main focuses for the
user. I think that the images are
best when the cover artist is
looking straight into the camera as
it feels as though he is looking at
the reader which makes the image
more engaging and personal for
the reader.
There are also smaller images that
are usually included. I feel as
though these can sometimes be a
distraction on the larger image
however they are sometimes
necessary to give the reader a
visual aid of the coverlines
included.

5. The cover artist usually links with
a article features inside and a
quote from this is usually attached
to the cover image. This quote is of
a large font and is sometimes
written in italics to show that it is
a spoken quote.
The artists name also accompanies
the quote so that it is clear to the
reader where this quote originates
from.

6. There needs to be a price located
on the front cover, on this example
the price is quite small however I
feel as though it is slightly too
small and could be enlarged.
There is also the date of the issue
included on a front cover so that it
is easy for people to keep track of
the new issues. I don’t feel as this
is as much of a necessity as other
features that are included.
The cover also contains a barcode
which needs to be easily visible so
that it can be easily scanned at the
place of purchase.

7. Other features include
Special offers or FREE offers these
are usually of a large font so the
reader sees them at a first glance
Coverlines that link with the
contents page – the page numbers
are not usually shown
Shapes that show special offers or
important coverlines
Sometimes the website for the
magazine appears to show the
synergy between the products
Names of the acts that are to
appear in the issue

8. Conclusion
0 I feel as though I can use this research to make sure I
have all of the necessities included on my front cover.
 The title of the magazine needs to act like a logo and be linked
with a tagline
 The cover image needs to be a prime focus and is usually linked
to an article
 The price, barcode and date are generally quite small
 Other images can be included to advertise some of the other
coverlines
 Adding FREE sections need to be easily visible at first glance as
this persuades the reader to buy the magazine as they will fell
they are getting a good deal.