The document discusses the layout and design elements of a magazine cover page that the author created for a school project. It compares various aspects of the author's mock-up cover to a published issue of Kerrang magazine. The author analyzed the placement of the masthead, cover image, features list, puffs, straplines, cover line, barcode, and dateline. Feedback is provided on ways to improve the cover, such as adding pictures to the features or having the cover image subject look at the camera. Overall, the layout follows magazine conventions and is comparable to the professional Kerrang cover.

1. Masthead
On my magazine I have included a masthead that allows the reader to know
what my magazine is called; comparing it to the Kerrang magazine I can also
see that I have placed it in the centre of the page, which will allow the masthead
to be in direct eye line of the reader. However I had to change the colour of my
masthead slightly as the reader would not have been able to see the black
writing that I had used for the “Rock!!” The colour I used to replace the black
was white and by doing this made the masthead stand out even more as well
as this the colour does not look out of place with the rest of the text.
Cover Image
On my mock-up of my magazine I have included a picture of one of the
band members from the Flying Oysters playing and instruments and who
will appear on my double page. However I could of improved my cover
image by taking a photo with the band or a specific member of the band
looking directly at the camera. On the plus side at least my image take up
most of the space on the cover page like the Kerrang magazine as the
band take up most of the cover page. On my magazine I have used a
background whereas this issue of Kerrang magazine has not as I think that
the cover image would look odd with a background behind it. It will be likely
that I will use this background on my final product but if my cover image
looks out of place with the background behind then in will not use it and use
a solid fill instead.
Features
On my rough cut I have included what features are going to
include in this issue of my magazine as well as the main story
for my double page spread. I have kept the font the same as
the one I had used for the masthead to make the magazine
look consistent throughout and I have also kept the same
colours as well. When I place my cover image on the page I will
have to make sure that the colour of the text is still visible, as I
will be placing the text over the cover photo. On the Kerrang
magazine they have included what features and other stories
will be included in the issue. The way they have set it out is
different to how I have set my features out as they have used
picture go with their feature which, I have not. Despite this I will
look into trying to add pictures with my features to make my
magazine look more professional and to achieve a higher mark.
Puff
I have used a puff on my cover page, as it is a good way to
promote things that will be included in my magazine as it is mainly
used as a promotional tool for magazine as a way to draw reader
into what they could win. In my magazine I offer the reader the
chance to win tickets to the Kerrang tour 2015. In the Kerrang
magazine they have used a couple of puffs to advertise the some
content that features in the magazine, whereas I have only used
one but I could add another one in if I have some extra space. The
puff s that the Kerrang magazine have used offer the reader to win
tickets to the Kerrang awards and that there is a pull out cover
included in this magazine.
Strapline
Usually straplines go on the top or the bottom of the
magazine. On my magazine I have put my strapline on the
bottom as I had more space in comparison to the Kerrang
cover page where they have used one at the top and one
at the bottom. The strapline can be used as a way for me to
add more information about what other features the
magazine will include. By looking at the Kerrang
magazine, which I am comparing, my magazine to I noticed
that the strapline has a background behind it as a way to
separate the text form the picture. The background that I
used was white to link it to the colour of my masthead and I
used the same front that I have used throughout my cover
page. By adding this to my magazine it makes my
magazine look more professional.
Cover line
The cover line for my magazine will be placed directly over the
image, but in a considerate way were the reader will still be able to
see the image, but they will be able to tell that this will be the cover
line that goes with the cover image. On the Kerrang cover page
they have included a cover line that the band themselves are
holding themselves. I have also though about the size for my font
for the cover line as I have made it slightly bigger than the rest of
headings for the feature but not too big that it takes up most of the
page and looks out of proportion with the rest of the page and text.
The purpose for me to use a cover line on the cover page is to give
the reader an in site as to what the double page spread article as it
will try and drag them into reading the double page spread.
Layout
I have though carefully about the layout of my cover page, as I know the conventional
features that need to be included on the cover page as well as throughout the rest of my
magazine. When creating my mock up of my cover page for my magazine I followed
similar layouts of a published magazine such as Kerrang to guide me into achieving the
best layout for my cover page. When I have been comparing my own magazine to a
professional high standard Kerrang magazine it looks like I have got the layout correct and
I have included everything that needed to include on a cover page.
Barcode and Dateline
The barcode and the dateline are the essential features that need to be included on a cover page of a magazine
as the barcode is were the cashier will scan it and it also show ‘s the price of the magazine so that the reader will
know how much the magazine will cost. The dateline also needs to be included as it will allow the reader to know
when the magazine was published and that everything featured in the magazine is recent. I have positioned my
barcode and dateline at the bottom of the page so it is out of the way of the main text, so has the Kerrang
magazine as they have placed it at the bottom of the cover page as well.