The document summarizes key aspects of magazine cover design, including color schemes, fonts, style and use of space. It analyzes a cover from MOJO magazine in particular. The summary is: 1) The MOJO cover uses a red/orange/black color scheme that matches the band in the main image and helps set a serious, raw tone. 2) A bold masthead stands out against the background colors to announce the magazine title. 3) Photographs use techniques like long shots and direct addressing to portray bands as intimidating or ready for trouble. 4) Fonts, colors and graphic elements are coordinated to reinforce the style and era of the band featured on the cover.

1. Student Copy

2. What you get on front covers

3. Masthead
Secondary Lead
Selling Line
or Banner
Web-links?
Ears?
Graphic Feature
or Puff
Plug
Feature
Article Photo
Headline
Anchorage
Menu Strip
Kicker
Cover Line
Flash
.
Bar Code
Web address
Date Line

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e.g.
Connotations of the Masthead
What meaning is added with the
interaction between anchorage and
photos
What lifestyles are hinted at in taglines,
kickers and use of language in general
What is regarded as most important on
the cover and why you think this is
What tone / type of language is used

5. How front covers are conceived and laid out

8. The Masthead used for MOJO
magazine is used in every issue,
sometimes varying in colour to
match the colour scheme of the
page. The font is quite bold and
usually juxtaposes against the
colour of the background to help it
stand out. In this case, the main
image is placed infront of the
masthead, this could be indicate
power or domination.
The main image is a high
angled, long shot of the
Ska band, The Specials.
The direct mode address
suggests a ‘ready for
trouble’ kind of vibe & is
quite intimidating.
The headline is placed
infront of the image in a
bold font to imply a ‘this is
who we are’ sentiment.
The colour scheme
circulates around the colours
Black, Red & Grey. This
links with the main image of
The Specials. The
monochrome pattern is
associated with the music
genre Ska in which the band
specify in.
The anchorage links with the
main image as it suggests a
serious vibe and implies the
band are of the genre ‘Skapunk’, which is usually
associated with anarchy
behaviour and having your
own opinions.

9. The Masthead used for MOJO
magazine is used in every issue,
sometimes varying in colour to
match the colour scheme of the
page. The font is quite bold and
usually juxtaposes against the
colour of the background to help it
stand out. In this case, the colour
white stands out from the Red &
Orange colour background,
annoucing the name of the
magazine boldly.
The graphic features are
flame-like shapes linking
with the colour scheme
and setting a sense of a
rawness & wild attitudes
of the artist/band in the
main image.
The same font is used throughout the cover. A psychedelic, 70’s styled font is used, which
links with the background of the person in the image of their decade of fame & the genre
they specify in.

10. The Masthead used for MOJO
magazine is used in every issue,
sometimes varying in colour to
match the colour scheme of the
page. The font is quite bold and
usually juxtaposes against the
colour of the background to help it
stand out. In this case, the
masthead is in a white font against
the main image’s area of black &
the background’s navy shade. This
makes the masthead looking
striking and adds a sense of subtly
about the person in the main image.
- BLUE, WHITE & BLACK COLOUR SCHEME = Sets a mysterious & ‘cool’ aura
- The same font all over the magazine, varying in colours and sizes

12. Indirect mode of
address can be
mysterious, lively,
sombre…
Direct mode of
address can appear
‘in yer face’, serious,
warm…
Creates a wacky, fun
image, sharing an
identity with the
reader that offers the
‘independence’ of
indie music.
Enigma – what are
they getting up to
now?

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COLOUR - Is a colour scheme used? Is it the same with every issue or
switch according to the images? Is there a pattern as to where colour
is used? Does colour have its own meaning?
FONTS - Roughly how many different fonts (not sizes) are used? Can
you link the same fonts with the same conventions?
STYLE - What look and feel is created? How much does the cover
image contribute to this? What photographic techniques are used?
Describe the mode of address and overall look e.g. invitational,
mysterious etc. Is a theme used e.g. futuristic? Does an enigma
prompt the reader to ask questions?
USE OF SPACE - How has the rule of thirds been used? Does the leftthird dominate? Is the use of space typical e.g. masthead top-left,
headline sitting at the bottom of the mid-third etc.? Is it spread out,
blocky, chaotic? Is there any dead space or white space?
CONCLUDE – Why do you think it is designed as it is? Does it
reinforce or challenge the typical conventions? Is it: poster-style,
busy , loud, inyerface, smooth, slick, stylish, fun etc.?