Magazine Front Cover (Conventions)

Front Covers

Purpose of a Front Cover

The front cover functions to attract reader, the front cover has many parts (conventions), each magazine will have similar conventions. 

Masthead

This is the title and name of the magazine, this is always located at the top as this is the first thing hat reader see. The font style and colour helps sell the magazine, this gives an indication of the content and audience. The name needs to be chosen carefully as it has so be memorable. 

Tag Line

This is located near the title and tells you about what the magazine is about and who its aimed at. 

Central Image

This is the most important part as this captures the audiences attention before they look at the printed text. The  dental image has to be relevant to the magazines content. 

Cover Model

A cover model is used, they are mostly celebrities and model, this increased the selling point of the magazine as they can see a familiar face on the front cover. It can also determine the content of the magazine due to their pose.

Anchorage 

What the images are referred to, this helps as the image gives it meaning and helps the reader to understand the significance of the picture. 

Secondary Image

The front cover helps to promote other features in the magazine. 

Cover Lines 

The cover lines are located at various points on he front cover, this tells the reader about what is in the magazine and what articles are in the magazine. There are often 6-12 cover lines on the front cover of the magazine. 

Mode of Address

This is how you address the public, e.g. 2nd person (you). The address needs to fit with the genre and meaning of the magazine. E.G. 1st person ("I lost weight by using this diet.") 

Puff

This is the device which helps to draw the attention to the magazine and what helps to promote the magazine, the puffs are unusually found in bubbles and circles. Puffs can be the price, gifts ('freebies') and prizes to be won,

Pug

Ears of the magazine found at the top left or top right hand side, this usually is used for a promotion, this will be the edition or possible the price. 

Barcode, Price, Addition 

These three things must always be included in the front cover. 

Use of Colour

The colour is used for greet effect, some colours may alter the addiction and meaning to the magazine. Alter the colour due to coordinate within the central image. Determine whether colour is used to send an image or chosen for them axons theme.