Research Task 2: The purpose of this task was to identify generic codes and conventions in a magazine's front cover. Analysed and compared common elements and explain their connotations, how they convey meaning and what their purpose is.
2. Code:
House colour pink. Stereotypically
a feminine colour and represents
femininity and appeal to a female
target audience.
Convention:
Model's face is in front of the masthead
as brand is easily recognisable despite
some letters being obscured and are
prioritising the model to benefit from her
being more recognisable.
Convention:
Masthead is the biggest text in the cover (because it is the name and the most recognisable
brand image)
Code:
Masthead and cover lines are sans serif. Connotes modern and simplistic which makes it easy
to read.
Code:
Model is a well-known actress
and celebrity. She represents
the female target audience to
promote the brand identity and
links to the main contents of the
magazine 'command respect'.
Convention:
Various size of cover lines due to some
being more important to the article /
features.
Code:
Model is wearing red / pink
connotes love and romance
which appeals to the contents
and target audience of the
magazine.
3. Code:
Masthead is serif which connotes
tradition and elegance.
Convention:
Masthead is also large, bold and given
the most space on the page in order to
emphasise it (for brand image and
recognisability)
Code:
Contrast in cover lines, healthy and 'Game
Day' snacks / recipes are in serif which
connotes tradition and elegance, whereas
Valentines, desserts and comfort foods are in
sans serif connoting modern and comfort.
Code:
House style of red/orange connotes a
sense of comfort and make it feel like
'home'.
Convention:
Few cover lines and all on the right side of
the cover makes room to highlight the main
image.
Convention:
Skyline offers additional information and
promotes brand with 'delicious' and
advertises website.
Convention:
Use of brackets to offer
additional information and use
language to promote recipes.
I.e., & Healthy / That Love You
Back
4. Code:
Masthead is bold – sans serif which
connotes simplicity and modern
features. Makes it easy to read.
Convention:
Skyline offers additional information and is acting as an
extra cover line to promote the magazine and articles
within.
Convention:
Main image is central and covers most
of the front cover. Model's name is
also in large, bold letters behind him.
Code:
This is done in order to appeal to the
audience and attract readers to the
magazine before they read the
coverlines.
Code:
House colour scheme of blue,
stereotypically a masculine
colour, relates to the male target
audience.
Convention:
Cover lines suitable to the
magazine and male target
audience ('trucks').
Convention:
Size of text in cover lines vary
on importance to the articles
and prioritising. For example,
Will Smith is in larger font as it
is more important for their
brand image.
5. Common
elements:
All three magazines use popular models or images,
Delish
Both Delish and Cosmopolitan reference love or
sex, this is because sex sells and appeals to a range
of audiences whether they're single, taken or
'complicated'.
House colour is used to appeal to stereotypical
target audiences, blue for male, pink for female and
red/orange to represent home and comfort.
Cover lines vary in size depending on importance
and relevance to the articles.
Skylines are occasionally used to either promote
website, brand or article.
