Codes and Conventions of Magazine Covers

It is common for magazine covers to have their masthead at the top of the cover and the main image to cover the whole magazine.

The masthead is clearly visible at the top of the magazine. As except for the main image it needs to be the biggest thing on the cover. Also the masthead has it’s own unique font which isn’t repeated.

The main image uses direct motive address so it appears that the person is looking directly at you. This has been used as it intrigues the target audience as an act of persuasion to try and get them to purchase it.

Magazines also use cover lines to show the key articles within the magazine. As it allows the reader to gain an understanding of what the magazine issue is about

Magazines also commonly have the barcode and price at the bottom corner so it doesn’t deviate attention from the main image.

Splashes are used as a way of presenting one of the more key articles within the magazine to make it stand out more compared to the cover lines used around the cover.

Magazines use a specific colour scheme (usually plain) so the magazine isn’t full of too many colours and attracting attention away from the main image.