The document outlines the codes and conventions typically found on the front cover of a magazine, including the masthead, main image, cover lines, background, banner, incentives, color scheme, splashes and puffs, sub images, barcode/price/issue number, positioning statement, quotes, buzz words, musical iconography, and fonts. It explains the purpose and typical placement of each element to attract readers and represent the magazine's brand and content.

1. Codes and conventions of a
front cover of a magazine

2. Masthead
• At the top of the page
• It’s the largest piece of writing on the page
• Its font isn’t used anywhere else in the magazine
• Overlapping the main image or the main image covers the masthead

3. Main image
• Direct address to the reader
• Close up/medium close up usually
• Relevance to the main article

4. cover line
• Give a little information about the article to entice people in
• Surrounding the main image
• About the articles inside the magazine
• Smaller font that masthead

5. Main cover line
• Usually relevant to the main image
• Larger than the rest of the cover lines
• Sometimes the name of the person/band in the main image

6. Background
• Simple background usually
• Relevant mise-en-scene to the magazine genre
• Singular block colour usually

7. Banner
• Along the top of the page
• Usually something exciting that will feature in the magazine

8. Incentives
• Entice people in to buy the magazine
• On the front protected by plastic sleeve

9. Colour scheme
• Aesthetically pleasing- First thing you see from far away so it can
entice you in
• Makes it easier to read
• Must be the same the whole way through issue and match the type
of magazine it is

10. Splashes and puffs
• These look exciting on the page
• Makes certain information stand out on the page

11. Sub images
• Sub images are used to further promote some of the smaller articles
in the issue
• Make the front cover more aesthetically pleasing

12. Barcode/price/issue number
• these show some extra information about the issue
• This is how the issue is sold through scanning the barcode

13. Positioning statement
• Marketing your cover to a certain target audience will improve sales
• Rewards your magazine has achieved

14. quotes
• They show that the information in the articles is straight from mouth
• It proves authenticity of the writing

15. Buzz words
• It stands out as a big deal on the front cover so it would entice people
in
• This of course makes the magazine look better too

16. Musical iconography
• How the magazine looks very much depends on the style of music it is
for and that’s important when making a cover
• Fitting target audience

17. Fonts
• The fonts used should be recognisable
• The font of the title shouldn't be used anywhere other than the title
• Fits in with style of music