This document analyzes the codes and conventions used in magazine front covers. It discusses several magazine covers, noting elements like titles, images, color schemes, and layouts. Common conventions like barcodes and issue numbers are mentioned. Unconventional elements are also analyzed, like an unusual barcode placement. The target audience and aesthetics are considered. Inspiration is drawn from minimalist designs and template-like layouts that feature subheadings. Sticking to conventions is advised, unless a brand is very well-established.

1. Codes and Conventions
BRANDON NOLAN

2. Bold yet minimalistic
title, doesn’t distract
from main selling points
Etc. Main image overlaps
title showing importance
Add-ons stand out with bold
colours and helps entice the buyer
Follows the basic codes and
conventions, noticeable but does not
distract from main selling point.
More appealing to customer wants
and needs
List of contents, helps appeal to cognitive
needs
Main image follows hegemonic norm,
Doesn't challenge typical conventions
of lifestyle magazines.
Subtle but fitting barcode, not very
noticeable but still holds a purposeGolden banner represents importance
and also stands out.
Darkened image to make the main
title and other text stand out
Using more than one image on front cover
shows the reader a larger range of articles
Larger text more eye catching
Intriguing title to pull the reader
in ‘Taking the plunge’ suggests a
bit of drama
Preferred reading likely to show
Kent in a tranquil, serene location

3. Big bold title, stands out in a clear
and easy to read font. Does not
distract from main Image, more
important however as it overlaps
the main image. Simple font lies
with its target audience.
Main image is very sharp and clear.
Sits behind text but the use of the
defocused background brings the
dear to great effect.
Highlighted key words in yellow to attract
the reader. Colour scheme of text fits in
with the natural background colours of the
main image adding to the general aesthetics.
Subtle barcode fits in with colour of banner
Enticing, bold sub title to lure the
reader in, use of the word ‘spooky’
and the triple s alliteration fits in
with target audience.
Wider variety of articles shown
by multiple images

4. Bold title that really stands out
against the background, conforming
to general conventions.
Model is dressed in bold, contrasting
colours to stand out even more and
emphasise her importance
Barcode at the top of the magazine,
unusual and doesn’t conform to the
general conventions of most regional
magazines
Introduction is a dull but sleek colour.
Frays away from the general colour
scheme just like the models outfit but
Still complies with the target audience.
Issue date and price in a very
Unconventional Place. Not too
noticeable but still catches your
Eye.
Quotes from people inside the
magazine advertises the article
to appeal to the reader.
Sub headings to lure in the reader,
advertising additional interesting
sections inside the magazine to
give the reader an idea about the
contents. Smaller headlines to entice a smaller
part of their target audience. Also
advertises the fact that their magazine
covers a lot of topics and has a wide
range of content.

5. Bold title that really stands out
against the background, conforming
to general conventions. Use of dull tones of grey complies
to the target audience. Looks clean
and sleek, adding to the already
modern, upper class feel to the
magazine.
Direct mode of address, looks
the reader in the eye. Immerses
them in and entices the reader.
Title sits in front of the main image to
stand out, shows importance and
catches the readers eye
Again the use of white/grey/black
adds a modern simplistic look. Also
Subtle use of the shades of red
really Stands out and adds a nice
aesthetic to the magazine.
Subheading introduces the front cover
model and subject of the issue to bring
Attention to the reader.

6. The colour scheme for this front page is however quite
Different to the ones I have studied and choses to go
along the lines of. Now that’s mainly because it’s just
A brand logo on the front page. Red is still an option to
Use on my front cover as it is bright and makes anything
Pop and stand out to the reader. Maybe the subtle use of
Red could be inhibited into my front cover as an accented
Colour but that’s just an idea at the moment.
The main reason I chose to analyse this
front cover was because of the layout.
The use of a border makes it look very
sleek and professional.
The title is bold and stands out very
nicely. It fits the border very nicely
and suits the magazine very well.
The main inspiration I want to take
from this magazine cover are the
subheadings under the main magazine
title. I feel like this is a simple and
clean touch and doesn’t take too much
detail away from the main Image, which
is the type of conventional production
that you would expect to see from
Hypebeast magazine. It gives the
Magazine an issue name and lists some
key contents of the magazine, which
may come in very important for my
magazine if I’m going to be keeping it
minimalistic and Simple.
Slightly unconventional barcode
placement, not many fashion
magazines have the barcode
on the front cover and it’s not
often that you see the slimmer,
longer barcode. This looks
much better in my opinion and
may be a feature that I seek to
use in my production.

7. This cover features a highly influential streetwear designer (Virgil Abloh).
Most people interested in reading a magazine such as Hypebeast will
more than likely know exactly who he is hence why his face is covered.
This adds a sense of mystery to the magazine, making readers want to
see more inside. This again is seen as unconventional but when your brand
is established as well as Hypebeast, then conventions don’t really need to be
followed for it to sell and be successful.
The placement of the barcode is so obvious that at first I didn’t really
even notice it. They’ve gone completely against any codes and conventions
and been very creative with the barcode placement which you don’t see
very often. In order for this to work it has to be executed perfectly as they
have done, for this reason I don’t think I would do something like this with
my magazine as I would be looking to stick to more conventional ideas.
Keeping the issue number in the top right corner is a nice touch,
especially for collectors of the magazine as it helps to easily keep
them in order. It also adds a bit more of a template to the front
cover as it is very plain. This may be a good thing to use in my
production as I would like to create something using this template
and simplicity.