The document analyzes the cover designs of 5 magazines. For each magazine, key elements like the masthead, slogans, straplines, central images, and color schemes are described. These elements are used to attract readers' attention, convey the main topics covered, and establish a magazine's identity and target audience. Effective techniques include placing the masthead prominently, using contrasting colors, featuring well-known celebrities as central images, and designing covers that provide a preview of the magazine's content through text and visual elements.

1. Magazine cover research
By: Annamaria Noto

2. Magazine 1
The mast head is placed at the top
of the magazine, in large bold font.
This makes it eye –catching and
easily recognisable to the target
audience.
The gaze is direct address as
he is looking towards the
camera – as though looking
at the person buying the
magazine.
The central image is a mid
shot of Tom Felton so the
audience know who the
magazine mainly features.
The slogan gives the reader
an insight into the magazine
content.
The colour panel uses minimal
colours – mainly black and white
with some blue.
The straplines are used to
show what other topics are
covered within the magazine.
The magazine layout follows
a simplistic format as it is not
overcrowded with info and
doesn’t use many colours.

3. Magazine 2
The mast head is in red
which contrasts with the
darker background, making
it stand out.
The slogan ‘the dark
knight returns…’ gives the
reader a hint as to which
other films feature in the
magazine.
The strapline
‘Inception’
establishes the film
the is the main focus
of the magazine. It is
emphasised through
the use of red –
matches the colour of
the mast head and is
in capital letters.
The central image of
Leonardo DiCaprio is a
mid shot, and explains
that he is the main
character in the film of
focus (‘Inception’). This
may appeal to a mass
audience as he is a well-
known actor.

4. Magazine 3
Taglines gives the reader an insight into what other
articles the magazine consists of.
Colour pallet: mainly pale
colours are used – for the
background and the
outfit, so the black text
creates a contrast – more
eye-catching.
Central image of Emma
Watson is establishes
that the main article in
the magazine centres
around her.
Direct address and mid shot
gives the audience the
impression of being looked
at, making them want to buy
the magazine.
Mast head takes up a
large section of the front
cover so that the those
buying it can easily see it
and recognise it.

5. Magazine 4
The red mast head
contrasts with the blue
background, which is
effective as it is eye-
catching.
The straplines being
either black or white
contrast with the
background.
The colour panel
matches the colours
of the clothes she is
wearing, making it
more appealing to
the buyer.
Central image –
mid shot so that
the reader can
see the outfit –
as the magazine
is on fashion.

6. Magazine 5
A barcode is provided
in the corner of the
cover.
The central image
is a mid shot of
Miley Cyrus so the
reader knows who
is the main person
to feature in the
magazine.
The main cover line ‘Miley
Cyrus’ accompanies the
central image, and is
almost as large in font as
mast head.
Straplines are
relatively small as
they are not the
main topic in
question.
The mast head is
clear, but doesn’t
stand out too
much.
Direct address – as
though looking at the
buyer – makes it seem
more intimate –
encourages the reader
to buy the magazine.