front cover

1. Codes and
Conventions of a
music magazine
front cover

3. Masthead
The Masthead is located at the top of the page, and
includes the title. It can also often include the issue
number, date and price however these can also often
be located at the bottom of the page.
Also located in the masthead is usually a positioning
statement, which is a claim made by the company to
promote their magazine.

4. Issue number
This says which number
the magazine is so
readers can keep up and
know if they have the
latest one.
Price
Says how much
the magazine
costs.
Date
Says when the
magazine was
released.

5. Main image
The main image is the
main feature of the
page. It is always a
celebrity. If there is one
person as the main
image, they will
usually use a close up
or medium close up,
whereas if it is a band
or group it will be a
long shot or medium
close up.
There can also be
more images (only a
few) on the
magazine cover as
this can draw a
wider audience.

6. Main cover line
The main cover line is
always the second
biggest, and always
relates to the image.
Main Sub Line
The main subline is
always underneath the
main cover line, and
usually says what the
story will be able.

7. There are also many
cover lines and
sublines which tell
the reader what is
inside of the
magazine. They are
on the outside/edge
and frame the main
image.
They can also use
buzzwords such as
“Exclusive!” “New”
etc to create
excitement and make
the reader feel
special.
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8. Usually around the barcode is the
price, issue number, date and the
website of the magazine, however
this information can also be at the
top in the masthead. The barcode is
always on one of the corners or the
magazine.
Barcode

9. Background and Colour scheme
The background
is always a plain
colour and isn’t
busy, in order to
keep the focus
on the main
image.
The colour scheme
is usually simple
with only a few
colours, which
never clash.