The purpose of a magazine front cover is to advertise the content inside and attract buyers. It should indicate what the magazine is about through the use of the masthead title, font, and color. Additional elements like taglines and cover images are used to provide more information and promote specific stories. Together, all of the visual design choices aim to effectively communicate the magazine's purpose and target stories to potential readers.

1. FRONT COVER ANALYSIS
1. What is the purpose of a front cover?
The purpose of a front cover is actually advertising the content that the magazine
has. It will also indicate perhaps what the magazine is also going to be about and
how much information is going to be inside the magazine. The front cover also
gives the magazine a chance to make the publisher buy the magazine with the
use of images and is an important method of advertising and the reader may not
even buy the magazine if it’s not well designed.
2. What is a MASTHEAD?
The masthead on a magazine front cover is the main title located usually at the
top of the page. An example being “Good Housekeeping”. This is important when
informing the reader what the magazine is about.
3. What 3 elements will be carefully considered when producing / designing the
masthead?
The font style
Colour
The name of the magazine
4. What can you say about these mastheads?
Each masthead seems to have its own identity and are very unique. Every name
implies what the magazine is going to be about and suit the style and theme of
the magazine. Some of the mastheads such as “PC Advisor” are very basic and
clear which could suggest the information inside is clear where as mastheads
such as “Vogue” seems quite elegant also suggesting what the amagzine content
is like. The name “Honour Student” is very suggestive with what the amagzine
will offer anyone who reads it so could draw a reader in that way.
5. What is a TAGLINE / STRAPLINE?
This usually is located near the mast head or is attached to it and usually gives a
indication to what the amagzine is about, a form of motto that is recognisable.
6. Can you think of any examples of taglines for magazines?
PC Advisor – “Expert Advice You Can Trust”
7. CENTRAL IMAGE / COVER IMAGE: What are the connotations of this cover
image?

2. The cover image on this magazine could suggest that the main article is quite
revaling as the pose is quite seductive (suggested by the lighting) and it could
also be an image of admiration for some readers by the way she’s dressed. The
image also relevent usually to the magazines purpose and target audiences
interests.
8. What does ANCHORAGE mean? Look at the verge cover and explain how
anchorage is used to help the cover image make meaning.
Images are usually anchored with text to explain the meaning of the image.
9. What are SECONDARY IMAGES?
They are used on front covers to help promote other things in the magazine
apart from the main article. They’re also used to gain interest through images
rather than text which is usually used in gossip/celebrity magazines.
10. What is the purpose of a cover-line / sell-line?
They’re located on various parts of the front cover and are
specifically located to inform the reader of what’s inside the
magazine, there can be as many as 6 to 12 cover lines.
They’re most effective as presentational and language
devices. The travel magazine examples cover lines are bold
and located in various positions so that they stand out from
other stories so that they also seem important.
MODE OF ADDRESS: How the text speaks to the reader
11. What is meant by DIRECT MODE OF ADDRESS?
This is the way in which a media product addresses its audience; some will be to
groups or certain individuals. Often uses the word “you” with a cover images
perhaps staring of even pointing at you directly as the audience.

3. 12. What is meant by INDIRECT MODE OF ADDRESS?
This is when the cover image and information aren’t directed at the reader
themselves and tends to be more informative and factual. The cover image may
show someone looking away in a different direction for example and the
information may just be all facts rather than asking for opinions etc.
13. What are PUFFS and PUGS? Circle examples on the Cosmopolitan and Pugs cover
Puffs are a device which helps to draw attention to and promote certain elements in the
magazine; they’re often set against colour backgrounds and are shaped in some way e.g.
“freebie”. Pugs are placed usually in the corners magazines to show a form of promotion,
special prices or a limited edition to the magazine.
14. What other important pieces of information will you find on a cover?
Other pieces of information will include a barcode, price of the magazine and
issue number. These all need to be strategically placed so that the reader can see
them clearly. An edition number being seen or not for example will affect the
number of copies sold.
15. Font/Typeface
Magazine front covers will show carefully selected font styles which are adapted
to infer meaning to the text when they’re displayed. A different font may be
chosen for different titles to the various stories to make them individually stand
out.
16. Colour Scheme
Some magazines vary their colour schemes from edition to edition such as
masthead, cover-lines etc. Magazines may use colour to send a message or to
emphasise something on the cover more so than the rest of the features on the
cover.