Magazine covers follow certain conventions including featuring a central image that promotes the main article, using studio photography in medium close-up shots. The masthead contains the magazine's title and branding in a distinctive font. Other design elements are cover lines to attract readers, a color bar code with issue details, and a strip listing contents. Fashion magazines aim for a modern, trendy feel with bright lighting, strong colors, and models in midshots directly addressing the camera to promote their look.

1. History and conventions of
magazines
Lily Harrison

2. Mode of
address
Masthead
Central image
Style of fonts used
Colour choices
Date line
Cover lines
Main cover lines
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Model credit

3. Normally one image takes up
the whole cover
• Usually the main feature of
the article
• Studio photographs, usually
in medium close-up or
midshot
• Direct address

4. Title/ Masthead
• Has a trademark and creates the
brand
• Usually one or two words
• Fills width of cover, or top left
• Positioning statement- how does
the magazine position itself in
the marketplace against
competition?
• Price/ Issue/ barcode/date all by
title in 11pt size

5. Other features
• ‘Puff’- offers something with the
magazine e.g. a free giveaway/
voucher
• ‘Buzz words’- usually with the
main feature article. Used to
attract attention e.g. ‘Exclusive,’
‘Free,’ ‘Plus.’
• Barcode- often found on the
bottom right, along with the
date/ month of edition, price,
website and issue number.

6. • Cover lines- lines of text on front cover designed to attract the audience and make them pick the
magazine up and look inside
• Main cover line- This is the largest text on the cover after the title and it anchors the meaning of the
image. Usually a sub line in the smaller text giving more information about the article
• Other cover lines are usually one or two words with sublines explaining them. Some are used to
intrigue the reader. These must represent the stories inside. There are only 5 or 6 and they are
positioned down the sides, framing the image, so the main image is not covered. These are usually in
the same font to create distinctive design.
• Strip- across top or bottom. It contains lists of items which feature in the magazine. This conveys the
magazine is full of stories and the audience are getting value for money.
• Colour- small amount used with a simple colour scheme adding to the distinctive edge.
Continued

7. Codes and conventions of a fashion magazine
Most fashion magazine swing
towards an urban culture, which
is modern and trendy
High key lightening and brightness
is also used to connote a feeling of
freshness and youthfulness on the
cover
Strong colour in some places or
direct hard lightening on a
portion of the subject to show a
‘pop'
Body language- angles and shot
taken are full shot or mid shot.
Looking directly into camera or
posing friendly in order to
promote the way they look.
Masthead is bold and bright in
order to compliment the
composure of the model
The background colours are usually light

8. History of magazines
• Also known as periodicals, serials, glossies, slicks
• They are publications that appear on a regular schedule and contain a variety of articles
• They are financed by: advertising, purchase price or pre paid subscriptions.
• Three types of magazine-
• Consumer- targeted at general audiences with special interest. For example, homes, sports, news,
fashion, teen gossip etc.
• Trade and professional- magazines targeting people working in trades, businesses and professional fields.
These provide news, information and how to articles for readers working in specific industries with
advertising content focused on those industries.
• House Organ- in house magazines. These are published by for profit and not for profit organizations such
as companies, special interest groups and affinity groups for their customers, employees, clients and
members.