The document contains descriptions of various magazine cover designs and their uses of visual elements to convey messages and attract readers. The covers discussed use techniques like large typography for branding, celebrity images, emotive quotes, and issue-related imagery to draw attention and connect with audiences on social or emotional levels. Color, font, and photographic choices also reflect the tone of the internal content. The document provides examples of covers targeting topics like mental health, the environment, and politics to demonstrate how visual design supports a magazine's core topics and purpose.

1. THE BIG ISSUE

2. MAGAZINE COVER CODES AND
CONVENTIONS #1:
- The typography of this magazine cover is structured in way that makes
our eyes drawn to it.
- The use of the large font for the brand name suggests that they are
grasping at people’s sense of responsibility.
- Seeing “the BIG ISSUE” makes us feel like we need to know what the
issue is and somehow raise awareness or even take part in the
movement against this issue.
- They have also kept the price in a submissive position within the
magazine’s cover in order exemplify the importance of the ISSUE and
the related information and not the price tag.
- The colours used in this cover connote to a principle of positivity
within their magazine, they are trying to raise awareness and get help for
the big issues in society not just spread useless negativity and criticism.
- The have used the colour yellow to emphasise the impact they are
trying to make with their magazine, clearly representing the brands
purpose which is counter typical of other magazines which typically
spread negativity without solutions, into the media.

3. MAGAZINE COVER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
#2: CELEBRITY/TRAGEDY COVER
- Using a sensitive sell line quote in an outstanding yellow font grabs reader attention,
makes them feel like it would be relatable to them and it elicits an emotion - either
empathy from others and sympathy from the readers that have experienced abuse.
- Celebrity cover, dominating the entire cover and using direct eye contact is a use of
direct mode of address making readers more likely to purchase.
- Submissive masthead of the brand’s name shows they don’t need as much attention
as this issue that they are discussing does. This shows subliminal integrity in their
brand’s message, which is what some readers may admire.
- Cover line “HERO. LEGEND. SURVIVOR.” makes the reader feel like they need to
look into this story more because clearly this person is important and respected which
gains the automatic respect of people looking at the front cover. Additionally, this
creates a connection between the reader and the celebrity.
- The mise-en-scene is more dull and less colourful than other celebrity magazine
covers in order to reflect the tone of the content. When the content is more lively
and uplifting they are more likely to reflect that kind of energy in the front cover of
their magazine and if not, this will be reflected as well.

4. MAGAZINE COVER CODES AND
CONVENTIONS #3: ENVIRONMENTAL COVER
- The subtlety of the barcode as to not overwhelm the image.
- Large masthead grab attention and solidifies brand identity.
- Struggling bug can elicit a sense of responsibility when looking at it and make people want
to help as much as they can to resolve this issue.
- Socially conscious cover/sell line “EARTH DAY SPECIAL”.
- “THE POWER OF UGLY BUGS” also conveys their social conscience and it may make people
feel important as the term ugly is typically used to describe a person and if a person thinks they
are ugly, they may see this and believe it will help them understand their power and
importance.
- This creates a connection with the reader and it also creates a sense of this topic being
personal, and they are more likely to purchase because of this.
- The mise-en-scene’s use of vibrant colours, a sense of resilience, importance and
useful information is used to reflect the tonality of the magazine’s content. Although, it is
serious topic they are not just talking about it but trying inspire others to help to resolve
it. Which solidifies this feeling of connection with the magazine and content.

5. MAGAZINE COVER CODES AND
CONVENTIONS #4: CELEBRITY COVER
- The Monochrome portrait coupled with the low key lighting creates an atmosphere of
seriousness on this cover.
- The use of a Celebrity image and direct mode of address is used to fabricate a connection
between a potential reader and the celebrity. This can make someone more inclined to purchase a
copy of this magazine issue.
- Again, the usage of a smaller barcode as to not distract from the image itself. That shows integrity
within their brands identity.
- Additional sell lines at the top leading to other possibly more interesting stories for the
reader/buyer.
- The Large Masthead conveys a strong sense of brand identity and it is a useful tool as it grabs
people’s attention and makes them interested.
- The quotation for an “EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW” is another reason that the reader/buyer may have
an interest in buying this magazine. This conveys a sense that even if you do not know who Russell
Brand is, you understand that he is important and what he is saying could be invaluable information.
- However, if you already know him you will be more inclined to buy this magazine anyway because
you know that he is an interesting person.
- His contemplative stance connotes to the possibly in depth, well articulated and well thought out
content within the magazine, encouraging more people to buy.

6. MAGAZINE COVER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
#5:POLITICAL COVER
- Political cover using the image of the person almost at the centre of war currently happening in
Ukraine.
- Contrasting the colours yellow and blue, due to the fact those are the colours of the Ukrainian
flag.
- These colours also stand out against their opposing backgrounds, easily grabbing people's attention.
- A call to action is useful as it makes the potential reader feel as if they could be doing more to be a
good person and help.
- This often appeals to people’s ego - making them feel important so that they are more inclined
to purchase something.
- Lack of direct mode of address from Zelensky represents the idea of a stoic gaze, which is what
makes him command respect and acknowledgement from any potential reader.
- The monochrome aspect of his image represents the severity and darkness he is experiencing day
to day.
- Additionally, his stoic gaze can be interpreted as him mentally preparing himself for battle as he is
fighting in the war against Russia for his country Ukraine.
- The phrase “THE WORLD”, accompanied by the call to action to the right of him represents this
idea of global effect, and elicits a sense of accountability from the potential reader.
- Some readers might feel bad if they were not doing all they can to help fight back against the
villainous Russia.

7. MAGAZINE CONTENTS PAGE CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
- An array of bold, sophisticated and casual types of
typography are used within the contents page. Each font
being used set the tone for, and emphasise a certain point.
- There is a bold heading in dense black font.
- Quotation is used to bring the situation into reality for the
reader.
- You are also given a brief of what topics some of the pages
may contain allowing for accessibility as the reader may have
picked up the magazine to only read a certain section, they
may not want to read an introduction or a interview transcript
etc.
- The subtle contrast of black and white is a nice compliment
to the dominant colour of blue that is on most of the page.
- A good utiliage of negative space allows for the page to have
some breathing room and the page more appealing to a
reader as it is not full to the brim with information.

8. INITIAL IDEA FOR MY VERSION OF “THE BIG
ISSUE” MAGAZINE COVER MOCK UP #1
Elon Musk: Celebrity/Political Cover
- Owner of SpaceX, Twitter, Dogecoin and Tesla.
- Currently, the wealthiest man in the world.
- Inventor, Innovator.
- Arguably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, minds in his generation.
HEADLINE/STRAPLINE IDEAS:
- The leader who revolutionised space exploration.
- A new age einstein.
- What can you do to aid our venture into space?
- What we can do to answer Elon’s call to venture into space.

9. INITIAL IDEA FOR MY VERSION OF “THE BIG ISSUE”
MAGAZINE COVER MOCK UP #2
- A kind of hero icon in the public.
- A Saviour.
- Name of sophistication.
- Sell line and quotes in orange, grabs attention and draws eye to the importance of his
social contributions.
- Legend, hero, saviour.

10. MOCK UP’s
Target Audience: Socially Conscious 16-25 year olds

11. Initial ideas for Concept of Big Issue Magazine Cover
- Person being depicted as a hero or at least someone that young socially conscious
people would look up to.
- Possible types of people: someone outraged at corruption in the media or politics,
someone who aims to expose an unlawful or unethical person or company, someone
who is spreading a positive message, someone who is promoting mental wellbeing.
- Person who has had something happen to them as a result of something negative in
the world e.g. a victim of a hate crime, suicide victim due to bullying or no help.
- Colour scheme that correlates with their given cause - green, brown (environment),
black, white (racism or discrimination), yellow, orange (positivity or helping).

12. Big Issue Magazine Covers as Inspiration for my Well-
Being or Positive Icon Cover:

13. Finalised Concept of Big Issue Magazine Cover
Type of message the cover will convey:
- Someone who aims to change the way we think about Men’s mental well-being, and represent the current state of men’s mental health
(appealing to primarily men with the range of 16-25 year olds).
Sell Line/Heading/Subheading: Options to choose from
- Qyran Ahmed is taking on the Men’s Mental Health crisis.
- Qyran Ahmed has plan for global mental-wellbeing.
Picture Concepts:
- Someone sitting on an edge looking down with a vast background blurred or someone looking out to the vast ocean, brooding, dressed
seriously in darker tone colours.
- Someone standing over a ledge, looking out to the ocean.
- Dark background, low key lighting, direct mode of address, looking into the distance (depicted as a stoic), monochrome colour scheme.
- Man sitting alone on a bench, in all black - creating an anonymous or depressing figure.

14. Final Product Contents Page

15. Final Product Front Cover