Generic conventions for magazines include using dominant images and headlines on covers to draw readers in. Inside spreads also use large images and pull quotes from articles. Consistent branding through mastheads and color schemes helps readers recognize the publication. Articles are laid out to guide readers through with titles, bylines and drop caps. Contents pages list sections and page numbers to help navigate. Advertisements pop out with bold fonts and related images. Websites bring these same design elements online for an engaging digital experience.

1. Generic Conventions
BY ELISHA DELANEY

2. Magazine

3. Front Cover
Dominant image to
draw in the readers
attention and to make
the magazine eye
catching.
A masthead to show the name of
the magazine and brand.
Barcode to show the price of the
issue and may include other info
about the magazine such as issue
number and date etc.
Main sell-line to draw in
readers with a popular
name/celebrity as it draws
in interest in what it is
about the topic.
Sub-head is used to give
more information
surrounding the main sell
line.
Sell-lines allow the to
advertise what else is
included in the
magazine.
Header allows more
articles and
information to be
advertised.
Sub images make the
cover more eye
catching and draw
attention.
Pull quotes can
draw people in to
find out more.
There should only be a
few colours in the colour
scheme so it isn’t too busy
and confusing to read.

4. Double Page Spread
An introduction
maybe included
into the
content to draw
in the readers
interest.
A dominant image will be
used to make the page
eye catching and
aesthetically pleasing.
Page numbers and other essential
information is commonly included for
links to get more content.
Titles are used to start off the
article and can be trivial to draw in
the readers attention.
Customised headers may be used
if the person(s) is important to
show the section is about them
alone.
A pull quote from the
content may be used
to grab the readers
attention.
Sub images are
used to make the
content media
rich and to draw
the attention of
readers with it
being
aesthetically
pleasing.
Drop caps are commonly used
to signal the start of the article.
By-lines and
other credits
are used to
give credit to
creators.
A small colour scheme should be
used so it is not too confusing to
read.

5. Contents Page
Subscription boxes to get people
interested in purchasing future issues
and build up a consistent audience.
The masthead is
sometimes included to
show and remind
readers of the name of
the publication.
An editors note is sometimes used
to introduce people to the
magazine and give the magazine a
personalised touch.
The contents itself is is
mostly split into sections for
the topic of the content.
Sub-images are
used to make
the contents
page more eye
catching and
visually
aesthetically
pleasing.
The contents list tends to have a
description to tell you what to expect
and draw you in to read it.
Page numbers,
essential
information etc.
are commonly
included for links
to get more
content.
There should only be a few
colours in the colour scheme so
it is easy to read and not too
busy.

6. Adverts
Bold and sometimes
colour fonts will be
used so that it
stands and can draw
in the attention of
the readers.
Information
concerning the name
and date etc. of the
event will be
displayed to give the
readers extra
information.
Links to websites and social media
etc. will be used to allow readers to
find out more about the
brand/person included in the
advert.
A dominant
image/sub image
will be included to
draw in the readers
attention as it is
visually interesting.
There should only be a
few colours in the
colour scheme so it is
simple to read and it
isn’t too busy.

7. Article
Side articles may be
used to give extra side
information about the
topic of the article.
Sub images can be
used to give a more
media rich look to the
article alongside
other images.
Page numbers and websites will
sometimes be included to give reader
extra information about the content.
A dominant image will be
used to bring a media rich
eye catching element to
the page.
A pull quote can be used
to draw people into the
content itself as they want
to know what the quote is
concerning.
A header is included
to signal what part of
the magazine it is
about.A title(s) is normally
included to give an
idea of what the
content is about.
The layout structure is
neat and it is
noticeable of the
direction of the article
in the way it should
be read.
Only a few colours
should be used so
that it can be easily
read and not
confusing.

8. Billboard

9. A dominant image
should be included
which is linked to the
topic of the product
which you are
advertising, and it
should be
recognisable and
eye catching to your
intended target
audience.
There should be a clear link to the company that the
billboard it is linked to so that readers know where to
find the product. Social media could also be displayed
here for contact with readers.
The content included
should be bold and
relevant to the topic
so the readers know
exactly what it is
about in as few words
as possible
There should be a contrast in colour for the
background so that the all of the content on the
billboard is clear and can be seen easily.

10. Website

11. It is important to include the
masthead of the magazine on
the website so that you create
a recognisable brand for
readers.
It is good to
have a social
media/
feedback
section to
stay
connected
with readers
and build a
fan base.
It is good to display side articles so fans know what
else they can read without having to search the
website which can become boring, and
accompanied with sub images to make the site eye
catching and media rich.
The main article on the page should have a
dominant image to accompany it so that it
stands out and draws attention with a
recognisable image for the readers.
If adverts are included it is
important that they are linked
and tailored to their target
audience.
It is good to have tab links so that
readers can find content across the
site easily to view the content and it is
in sections like in the magazine so
readers can find the topic they want
to view.