Magazine covers typically follow certain conventions: the masthead is prominently displayed at the top in a unique font, the main image takes up most of the cover and uses direct address to intrigue readers, and cover lines, price, and barcodes are placed unobtrusively to not distract from the main image while still providing information about the magazine's contents.

1. Codes and Conventions of Magazine Covers

2. It is common for magazine covers to have their masthead at the
top of the cover and the main image to cover the whole
magazine.
The masthead is clearly
visible at the top of the
magazine. As except for
the main image it needs to
be the biggest thing on the
cover. Also the masthead
has it’s own unique font
which isn’t repeated.
The main image uses
direct motive address so
it appears that the person
is looking directly at you.
This has been used as it
intrigues the target
audience as an act of
persuasion to try and get
them to purchase it.

3. Magazines also use cover lines to show the key
articles within the magazine. As it allows the
reader to gain an understanding of what the
magazine issue is about
Magazines also commonly have the barcode and price at the bottom
corner so it doesn’t deviate attention from the main image.

4. Splashes are used as a way of presenting one of the more key articles
within the magazine to make it stand out more compared to the cover
lines used around the cover.
Magazines use a specific colour scheme (usually plain) so the magazine
isn’t full of too many colours and attracting attention away from the
main image.