Codes and Conventions - Front Covers (Task 4)

I analysed some magazine front covers, contents pages and double page spreads and found out the codes and conventions of all three.

Codes and Conventions of Magazine Front Covers

Masthead
Name of magazine usually left aligned or right across.
Uses a large, unique font.
Can be partially covered if the magazine is well established.
Positioning statement is above the title and normally conveys that the magazine is better than the competition.

Barcode
Usually at the bottom of the magazine and has the date, issue number, price and website of the magazine near to it.

Buzzwords and puff
“Exclusive!” “You won’t see this anywhere else” “New!”

Images
One main image which anchors with the main story.
Main image usually close up or mid-shot.
Person/people in the photograph normally looking at the reader – direct address.
Never any text over the face. Smaller images which correspond to other stories in the magazine.

Simple colour scheme
Colours that don't clash and are easy to look at.

Coverlines
Usually small amounts of text near to the smaller images.
Main coverline with main image.
Coverlines all in the same style of font.

These are the front covers that I analysed to get these codes and conventions:



Q Magazine (click to enlarge)



NME Magazine (click to enlarge)