The document describes the typical layout and design elements found on magazine covers. It includes a diagram labeling common cover components like the masthead, tagline, headline, feature photo, and section headers. The text then discusses design considerations for covers such as use of color, fonts, style, space, and how these elements are used to convey meaning and create a sense of identity, tone, and intrigue for the reader.

1. Student Copy

2. What you get on front covers

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

4. Magazine Section
logo header
Page
numbers
Section (with headers
headers resembling
kickers and
cover lines)
Numbered itemised list
Main feature
Date line

5. Section Flas Headlin
Header h e/
Quote
Pull-
Quotes are
quotes that
Introductory stand out
over text,
Text
Article often in the
Columns
Sidebar middle.
Headline
Sidebar
Graphic Features are
drawn objects and
often include quotes.
By Line (who
Feature Article it’s written by)
Photo
Feature Shot (part
Inset Shots
of same photo
shoot)
Captions

6. Different titles to break down the
interview
into sections Feature Article Photo
Pull-Quotes
are quotes that
stand out over
text, often in
the middle.
By Line (who
it’s written by)
Feature Shot (part of same photo shoot)

7. How front covers are conceived and laid out

9. Indirect mode of Direct mode of
address can be address can appear
mysterious, lively, ‘in yer face’, serious,
sombre… 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?

10.  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
 Fashion magazines don’t put the headline over the feature article photo, they push it
to the side of the magazine
 Plugs are usually offering something for free
 Flash are extras such as ‘plus’

11.  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 left-
third 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.?