codes and conventions

1. Magazine Cover Codes and
Conventions

2. Masthead
Title is full page width in a unique font.
This is the magazine’s trademark.
Positioning statement
How the magazine positions itself in the
market place to distinguish it from other
magazines.
Issue date and price
Main image
One image, usually one person.
Direct address
No text over the face
Buzzword
Usually promotes something that is exclusive
or for example where a magazine has a prize
it will usually say the word "WIN" to promote
something the reader can get for free. Puff
An incentive which is place on the
cover to make something stand out.
Usually by putting text around a shape.
Pug
Where the corner of the page is covered
and usually has a buzzword inside it. It is
an incentive to open the magazine.
Main coverline
Largest text on the cover after the title.
Anchors who the picture is.
Sublines give details of what the article
is about
Coverlines
These are about feature articles in the
magazine.
Usually one of two words for a heading to
attract and intrigue the reader.
Sublines give more information about the
article.
Coverlines frame the image.
Colour scheme
Usually a simple colour scheme
using only a few colours
Barcode
Always on the front cover
Subsidiary or secondary images
Used to illustrate other content to show
variety in the magazine.
Anchored to coverline(s)
Can create a sense that the magazine is
packed with content

3. Masthead, this is the
magazines trademark
with the unique font
to distinguish the
brand
Cover lines to intrigue the
reader about the articles,
and and a subline so they
get more information on it
Main cover line, the
largest text on the
cover after the
masthead
Main image,
conventionally attractive
people, direct address,
many use celebrities to
engage the reader to buy
it
Barcode
Always on the
front cover
Simple colour
scheme, usually
black and white