All Magazine Covers must have:
- Masthead
- Central Image
- Bar Code/Price
- Sub Headings
- Buzz Words
- Slogans
- Issue Number & Date
- Cover Lines
- Tag Lines - Usually placed Above Title
Masthead
Big bold writing - New typography used. Must be Eye Catching to get customers attention. Unique brand name never seen before
Price
The price of the magazine can reflect the content inside i.e. big unique content = higher price, Normal less important content - lower price. Can also be based upon Production value, high class Magazines such as OK, Heat etc. tend to be higher priced as their top brand magazines.
Central Image
Largest image on front screen (If image is looking at Audience, this is known as Direct Mode of Address.) This image is usually a medium close up depending on style of magazine. Main image can conote some of the content inside. Can also be male or female but Indie magazines tend to feature more Male stars.
Cover Lines
Lines of text usually used too preview some of features inside magazine
Issue Number
Shows how many have been sold and how successful the magazine is - Popularity factor
Bar Code
Technical way of selling
Price
Usually small insight to how explicit some of the content inside is
Colour
Colour of masthead stays constant throughout, shows attitude and possibly style of some content inside
Codes and Conventions of Contents Page of a Magazine
Codes and Conventions of a Contents Page:
- Main Image - Usually related too Main Story (Double page spread)
- Cover Lines
- Small Text
- Page numbers on illustrations
- Subheadings with page numbers
- Numbers not usually shown in Chronological Order
- Split into Coloumns
- Typography usually no bigger than 11 point
