Codes and Conventions of Regional Magazines - Front Covers

1. Key Codes and
Conventions –
front cover
Regional Magazine

2. Properties found in a
Magazine
• A consistent house style, which represents the image
and ethos of the magazine
• Use of colour, to create a feel for the magazine
• Layout is used to style the piece and direct readers
attention to main focus

3. The name of the Magazine ABSOLUTELY
South East – the word ABSOLUTELY is
prominent on the page, and in a
contrasting colour to the other text. This
makes it stand out and indicates an
importance of the word. ABSOLUTELY is
a brand name, representing different
regions across the UK. They have used
the title in this way to create a
transferable brand image across all of
their magazines and a fan of
ABSOLUTELY would instantly recognise
it. They have used an orange colour,
which contrasts with the background,
whilst blending with the colour scheme for
the front cover. They have used a bold
serif font, creating a contemporary feel to
the magazine and making it appeal to a
younger target audience. By using capital
letters they are bringing the readers
attention to the importance of the word.
For the reader, South East is a second
though as they initially identify the
magazine as ABSOLUTELY. They have
followed a key code and convention of a
regional magazine by including the region
it is targeted at and represents in the
name of the magazine.

4. They have made use of a Main Cover line which
makes use of a different font to the rest of the
page. ‘The Futures Bright’, this suggests that the
magazine features something which will affect
the reader in the future making them want to
read the magazine. A key code and convention
of a regional magazine is to have a main cover
line which draws the readers attention and
makes them want to read on. This creates a
hermeneutic code of the reader wanting to know
what the magazine is referring to, in this case
what has made the future bright, and who the
future bright will be for. They have made use of a
white colour, with a thin capital serif font. This
gives the magazine a contemporary and modern
feel, whilst contrasting the background and
making the sell line stand out. They have written
the text over the main image which also draws
the readers attention to the image. The
description of the cover line is again written in
white, however this time in italic and bold. This
makes it clear this is still relevant to the main
cover line, whilst remaining separate. The use of
white has a connotation of positive things, and by
using this on a title about the future being good –
it is connoting to the reader about the topic.

5. They have made use of sell lines around the
front cover, written in bold white serif fonts
creating a contemporary feel and staying in
keeping with the ABSOLUTELY house style, of
modern and contemporary with bright colours.
Rated in importance, by how they stand out on
the page. The topic on Inspector Gadget, and
Helen Graves are in a bold font, making them
stand out from the grey background. , with their
description/subtitle in a standard font which is
harder to read from a distance. The third sell line
is in a standard font, ‘Print Impress’, with the
description/subtitle in bold, lowercase. This
suggests that for the top two sell lines the
headline explains the most about the article and
therefore attracting the readers attention,
whereas the third headline/title does not explain
as much and therefore they want the readers
attention to be brought to the description. By
using the word ‘Explore’, they are suggesting
that the magazines article is very descriptive
giving the reader an immersive reading
experience.

6. At the bottom of the page, they have used the
magazines motto, ‘Stylish, Intelligent, Elegant,
Absolutely’. Written in a bold font, in gold it is
clear this is something which is part of the
magazines ethos/house style. Something which
would appear on every edition, this is because it
is formatted in the same way as the title, yet
does not stand out as much on the front cover.
This could be because this is not a selling point
of the magazine and therefore does not need to
attract the readers eye to get them to buy it. This
is there instead, to once the reader has picked
up the magazine and started reading they get an
idea of the style of the magazine and the content
inside. A key code and convention of a magazine
is to portray the ethos and image of the
magazine itself on the front cover. This gives the
reader an impression of what it will be like.
Usually done through the use of a
motto/strapline.
They have featured the price and issue date in
the top left corner, by using a small font for this it
is indicated this is not of importance to the front
cover.

7. The background of ABSOLUTELY South East, is
a woman wearing an orange coat which
compliments her orange hair. The reason for the
image is not made clear on the front cover,
creating a hermeneutic code for the reader,
wanting to know who she is and why she is on
the front cover of the magazine.
Summary of Key Codes and Conventions used:

8. The magazine Kent Life,
October 2011 edition
produced by Archant has a
white title. This is used in
every Kent Life magazine,
and allows it to stand out on
the page. The reader would
recognise the magazine
clearly, and by using the
word Kent in the name, they
are making it clear the topic
of the magazine. By using a
white colour, they are
allowing the text to stand out
on the page by contrasting
against the background.

9. They have put the Archant logo
in the top left corner. They
brand the magazine in this way
as it is a recognisable logo.
This increases the chance of
someone buying it if they have
read a similar Archant
magazine before. They make
use of white text across the
cover to allow the sell lines
stand out from the background.
By using the colour white they
are creating a connotation of
purity and innocence,
suggesting that the magazine
is something appropriate for
all, giving an impression of a
‘nice’ magazine.

10. They have used a mixture of
white and orange text. The
orange blends in with the
mainly orange background of
the magazine. The use of this
background gives the reader a
key idea of the topic of the
magazine. In this case the
main cover line is regarding
‘The birds and the bees’,
creating a clear correlation
between the background and
this. The background is
designed to be eye catching, to
attract the readers attention. If
someone is interested in
plants, or bees then they would
see the front cover and identify
the magazine as something of
interest to them.

11. The main cover line is
coloured white with an
orange “&”. By using these
colours and a more
traditional font they are
allowing it to stand out from
the background. By using
the orange they are tying it
in to create a colour scheme
on the magazine. They have
followed this house style
throughout the other sell
lines on the page, however
they have used a standard
serif font to distinguish these
from the main cover line.

12. The use of a second image at
the bottom of the page, gives
the reader a glimpse into the
magazine and it’s topics
without having to open it and
start reading.
Key Codes and Conventions:
• Title gives clear idea of topic
• Background of landscape
from region
• White text, makes
background contrast
• Mixture of serif and
traditional fonts
• Additional picture to show
glimpse of topics
• Clear correlation to region

13. This edition of Kent Life, March
2014 – produced by Archant
makes use of a white title. This
allows it to be in keeping with
the magazines ethos, whilst
standing out from the
background. By using a
traditional font they are making
a clear target at their audience,
an older generation. They have
used a background of a castle,
making a clear link to the main
topic of the magazine with
another linked main cover line.
They have used white text
throughout the front cover with
yellow to blend with the flowers
at the bottom of the background
image.

14. They have made use of a
green banner at the top of the
page, which also allows a
contrast against the
background. Drawing the
readers eye to the magazine
and allowing them to focus on
the information it is covering,
in this case a competition. A
key code and convention of a
magazine to advertise
competitions or chances to
win something to get the
reader to buy it. The sell lines
around the page are in serif
fonts, white and yellow to
contrast from the background
whilst blend in.

15. Summary of codes and
conventions:
• Use of contrasting colours
on background and text to
make it stand out
• Clear correlation between
region and content
• Sell lines and main cover
line alternating typeface
and colours
• Colours blend with
background whilst creating
house style
issuu.com

16. This edition of Time Out
London, issue 2193, costing
£1.25 features the Time Out
London logo in the top left hand
corner. The iconic logo, used in
Time Out magazines across the
world meaning readers of other
Time Out magazines would
recognize it. By doing this it
creates a recognizable brand
image which readers would
recognize without having
necessarily read that specific
version. In the case of Time Out
London this magazine centers
around the London area and
topics, thus the “London” added
to Time Out. By placing the
image over the logo, they are
confident the brand image is
easily recognizable without
having to look properly at the
logo.

17. The background of this edition
of Time Out is an image of
someone jumping in a London
scene. This creates a
correlation between the image
and the main cover line;
“Extreme London”, by showing a
jump from such a high place,
they are creating the extreme
connotation in the readers mind.
The subtitle for the main cover
line “Experience this city’s most
intense adrenaline rushes”, this
gives information on the topic
covered. The word “EXTREME”,
is written in black, bold
uppercase typeface which
suggests importance. The use
of the yellow background
replicates warning tape,
accentuating the extremeness
of the topic.

18. For the subtitle, they have used
a smaller, white serif font which
still allows the writing to stand
out from the background whilst
making it clear this is not the
main topic. They have placed
the barcode, on the left hand
side – a common feature of a
magazine to place it on the left
hand side. This cover does not
make use of sell lines all over
the page, instead they are
centered in one location. The
use of white text allows it to
contrast from the background.
The use of “Inside” with the
yellow background keeps a
house style with the main cover
line.

19. For the subtitle, they have used
a smaller, white serif font which
still allows the writing to stand
out from the background whilst
making it clear this is not the
main topic. They have placed
the barcode, on the left hand
side – a common feature of a
magazine to place it on the left
hand side. This cover does not
make use of sell lines all over
the page, instead they are
centered in one location. The
use of white text allows it to
contrast from the background.
The use of “Inside” with the
yellow background keeps a
house style with the main cover
line.

20. Codes and Conventions:
• Use of recognizable logo
• Logo is covered by image,
suggesting brand is well
known
• House style decided by
topic
• Colours of fonts contrast
with background
• Use of serif fonts gives a
contemporary feel

21. This edition of Surrey Life,
from January 2014 published
by Archant makes use of
many codes and conventions
I have identified in the other
magazines published by
Archant. The logo, prominent
in the top center of the front
cover, is white in a traditional
font. The use of the word
“Surrey” makes it clear to the
reader the topic of the
magazine/the region it is
aimed at. A distinct
background from the region
catches the readers eye.

22. Various sell lines around the
page alternate between serif
and traditional fonts creating a
house style to the magazine.
The use of white and yellow
writing makes the text stand out
from the background whilst
being easy to read, and ties the
magazine together forming an
image and ethos of this edition.
The main cover line “Get set for
2014” written in a yellow colour.
The main cover line would
suggest to the reader the main
topic for the magazine, and due
to the issue date this would be
one for people who are looking
towards 2014.

23. At the bottom of the page, a
white background allows the
further sell lines to stand out on
the page, with additional
images. This gives more
information about the magazine
and the topics within. The
bottom of the page contains
features that are not directly
related to the main cover line or
the image used as the
background. They have used
different colour text for the sell
lines at the bottom of the page.
These are making use of
traditional font, in red. This
creates a separate colour
scheme related to the woman's
hat in the small image. This still
however, ties in with the rest of
the page.

24. Summary of Codes and
Conventions:
• Large centered title
• Clear brand image
• Ties in with publisher
brand image
• Contrasting text colours
reflect background to
create colour scheme
• Bottom panel shows
separate topics with a
different style to rest of
front cover