The document describes various conventions and elements that are commonly found on magazine covers, including the masthead, tag line, skyline, featured headline, anchorage text, cover lines, main image, sub images, pull quotes, color scheme, font selection, and bar code. It provides descriptions of each element's purpose and typical location on the cover. Additionally, it suggests analyzing covers from three different magazine genres to understand how design conventions are applied.

1. Magazine Cover
Conventions
by Mrs. Amos
AICE Media Studies
North Fort Myers High School

2. Masthead
the title of the magazine
typically at the top of the cover,
but not always
modern design has the model’s
head over the text

3. Slogan / Tag Line
a catchphrase or slogan
typically right above or below the
masthead
consistent across issues,
sometimes modified to content

4. Slogan / Tag Line
a catchphrase or slogan
typically right above or below the
masthead
consistent across issues,
sometimes modified to content

5. Skyline
Teaser text that run above
the Masthead
If they're boxed (with art), they're
called skyboxes or boxcars
if they use only a line of type,
they're called skylines.

6. Featured Headline
Title of cover story
Typically the largest font after the
Masthead
Often a visual connection to the
main image

7. Featured Headline
Title of cover story
Typically the largest font after the
Masthead
Often a visual connection to the
main image

8. Featured Headline
Title of cover story
Typically the largest font after the
Masthead
Often a visual connection to the
main image

9. Featured Headline
Title of cover story
Typically the largest font after the
Masthead
Often a visual connection to the
main image

10. Anchorage Text
Additional information to
featured headline
May be before or after the
featured headline

11. Anchorage Text
Additional information to
featured headline
May be before or after the
featured headline

12. Anchorage Text
Additional information to
featured headline
May be before or after the
featured headline

13. Cover Lines
Additional stories featured
on the cover

14. Main Image
Photo based

15. Main Image
Illustration Based

16. Main Image
Type Based

17. Main Image
Concept Based- a
combination of different
type of cover images

18. Sub Images
smaller secondary images
on the cover that are not
directly related to the main
image or main headline

19. Pull Quote / Call Out
direct quote from
someone

20. Pull Quote / Call Out
direct quote from
someone

21. Pull Quote / Call Out
flashes: symbols used to
draw attention to one of
the cover lines
slashes: rectangular
shapes used to draw
attention to one of the
cover lines, usually across
a corner

22. Color Scheme
Using a consistent color
from background to main
image to font color
golden

23. Color Scheme
Using a consistent color
from background to main
image to font color
pink

24. Color Scheme
Using a consistent color
from background to main
image to font color
contrasting colors-
opposite color wheel

25. Color Scheme
Using a consistent color
from background to main
image to font color
neutrals

26. Font Selection
fonts appropriate to target
audience or magazine
style / tone
serif, sans serif,
script, decorative
youthful

27. Font Selection
fonts appropriate to target
audience or magazine
style / tone
independent / unique

28. Font Selection
fonts appropriate to target
audience or magazine
style / tone
scarry

29. Font Selection
Reverse type- white font
on a colored background

30. Bar Code
how is it arranged on the
cover? orientation?

31. Cover Analysis
Choose 3 different genres
of magazine to analyze
the cover

32. Masthead
Tag Line Skyline
Sub Image
Sub Image
Featured Headline
Anchorage Text
Bar Code
Cover Lines
Cover Lines
Main Image-
photography based
Color Scheme-
red, white, black
a common scheme for music
magazines
Font Selection-
all caps
sans serif font
Reverse Type on Call Out