By putting the name of the magazine (also known as the

masthead) at the top of the cover, it serves as a header and is

usually seen first, as audiences have a tendency to scroll

downwards when looking at magazines. This helps create a

brand and draws the audience’s attention.

Also, by making the title in a formal font and in white, the

magazine develops a sense of formality and being made by

adults, which will show the target audience it’s professional.

In this example, the central image is right in the

middle of the page and attracts most of the attention.

This is a useful technique to use in magazines as it

instructs the audience as to what sort of content will

be in the magazine. Also, as she is (presumably) the

same age as the target audience, this will help attract

them as they know articles will be suited towards

them.

By having

teasers for the

articles (also

known as cover

lines and plugs)

on the cover,

the audience

can see the

range of

articles and

topics on offer

to them and

help to create

interest in the

issue. This then

means that the

audience

knows exactly

whether the

magazines for

them, and if it

is it makes

them more

likely to

purchase.

On the magazine

one article is

advertised as a

‘Special Insert’.

This improves the

quality of the

cover as it uses

buzz words to

show the

audience that

there is a special

reason to buy

this issue, and

makes the

magazine seem

of a higher

quality as they

can afford gifts.

On this magazine cover, the model is of Asian

descent, which ties into the articles above about

foreign students assessing the college education.

This has an impact on the reader as the image ties

into the article and creates a well thought out

cover, and helps to further point out the positives

from the article about the college.