The document discusses the design conventions of magazine front covers for the magazines Billboard, Crack, Clash, and Fly. Some key points: - All magazines use consistent masthead fonts and positioning to build brand recognition. - Covers typically feature a full-page main model image making direct eye contact with the viewer. - Minimal text is used to draw readers in, with cover lines, teaser lines, and puffs providing just enough information without summaries. - Background colors, fonts, sizing and positioning of elements are designed deliberately to make key information pop out at readers.

1. CODE AND
CONVENTIONS
FRONT COVERS

2. BILLBOARD
FRONT COVER
• All Billboard mastheads are the same, they use
the same font, and are mainly placed in the same
position.
• They all feature a main model image on the front
page as the main feature, all pictures use direct
address by using eye contact.
• The page uses minimal text which can draw the
reader into the magazine as it leaves them
interested as to what's inside due to the small
teaser texts.

3. Masthead- Bold, big and easily
identified as ‘Billboard’ magazine. A
few letters have been hidden by the
model (Katy Perry) however it is still
recognisable due to the font and style
as all billboard magazines have the
same masthead.
Cover lines- Shows what's in the
magazine, gives a certain amount of
information.
Main image- Eye contact creates direct
address with audience, Katy Perry's
pose reflects the accessory's she wears
the flowers; the innocent pose how
she's leant back conveys the idea of
nature.
Colours- the pink background and
pink flowers show feminine
element which may be trying to
target the target audience of
females.
Teaser line- teasers the reader
into wanting to know the full
details inside the magazine,
intrigues them.
Puff- Another method used to
display what content is in the
magazine, it’s a medium size to
get the attention of readers.

4. CRACK
FRONT COVER
• The mastheads of crack magazine all either are
filled or outlined with white. This signatures
the brand of ‘crack’ magazine as it helps
readers recognise.
• All front covers feature one model, this is the
main trend across all front covers of ‘crack’
however some special additions might include
extra models.
• Lots of the front covers include direct address
using eye contact however the front cover
featuring Nicolas Jaar does not use this
technique but in fact has changed the camera
angle instead.
• All front covers use minimal text, either just a
name or a name and a little bit of information
about the content but still a small amount of
writing.

5. Masthead- bright
white stands out
against dull back
ground.
Main image- (direct
address)eye contact
looking straight into
readers eyes, makes
the magazine feel
personal increasing
the possibility of
buying
Feature-Bright
vibrant red hair
contrast the rest of
the image,
background and
surrounding the
image. Stands out
makes a main feature
of the front cover
Sub title- The only piece of text on the
page apart from the masthead, same
colour as masthead, the colour white
also complements the t-shirt of the
model.
Background- has an ombré
lighting which fades from dark to
bright/ bottom to top.
Body language- Linking hands,
other models portrayed in the
picture but cannot see their faces
however they contribute to the
final image and create a complex
layers which adds more interest
and could be a significant sign to
what the magazines content
inside is.

6. CLASH
FRONT COVER
• All Clash front covers have the same
font as a masthead, this again is how it
identifies itself as a brand; by using the
same colour and font helps the
magazine become more recognisable as
customers will associate that font with
that colour as ‘Clash’.
• The main teaser line has the same font
but a different type of shadowing this
applies for all the front covers. The
main teaser line has a pattern of being
a popular and famous singer/band.

7. Masthead- Bold, bright,
dominant on page.
Cover lines- minimal content on
front of page due to main
attraction of models face.
Main image- Eyes directed at
the masthead e.g. name of the
magazine brand, the close up
makes the model recognisable
Main cover line- introducers main
attraction of magazine a popular
band, entices customers who are
fans of the band. Different font
adds value to the importance of
having this band featured in the
magazine.
Barcode - Allows shop to
scan and the customer to
buy the magazine, flipped on
side and made smaller to
draw less attention.
Background – the pale
colour enhances the main
image with the dark
features.

8. FLY
FRONT COVER
• The masthead is always in the same
font however the fonts vary in colour.
The size of the font takes up the whole
of the top of the magazine, making a
statement of the brand.
• This magazine is leading on from the
theme of indie magazines (Clash and
Crack)
• The minimal text on the front covers
draws the attention more to the main
image.

9. Masthead- bold, distinct,
white to make the name
pop out.
Main image- direct address
eye contact, connects with
the audience, maybe could
be a psychological effect to
make the customer buy
the magazine.
Main cover line- only one cover
line which reduces the text on the
page, minimal text so more
attention on main image.
Background- colour is a
vibrant blue which makes
everything else pop out due
to the bold bright colour.
The blue of the cover line
and the blue of the back
ground links the two
together.

10. TERMINOLGY
Masthead
Title of the magazine,
sits normally at the top
of the page.
Cover Lines
short statements found
on the cover of the
magazine that allude to or
describe the articles
inside.
Teaser Line
Also shows
what’s inside but
is more enticing,
teases he buyer
as they want to
know what's
inside which will
mean more
copies sold.
Main Image
This is the main photo on the
front cover of the page the one
which is full page length and is
the main feature.
Puff
Other
method to
also show
what's inside
but is made
bigger and
more
appealing to
draw
attention
towards it.
Barcode
Normally quite discreet in
the corner on the front page
but its so when the
customer goes to buy the
magazine this can be
scanned.
Background
This makes the image and rest of the content pop out
on the page the background varies from one bold
colour or a gradient effect. But mainly they’re plain to
make everything else stand out.