MAGAZINE COVER CONVENTIONS

Masthead -  A masthead is the magazines title or brand name which is usually found within the top third  of the magazine cover, for example: Cosmopolitan. A masthead does not need to be 100% clear to its audience as mastheads have their own individual design for their brand name, therefore they will be recognised even if layers are used over the masthead, making it less visible. 

Main Image - The main image is usually a posed photograph of a model/character which relates to the main storyline of the magazine. In many cases the models will use direct mode of address. 

Direct Mode of Address - Direct mode of Address is the action of the person within the main image making eye contact with their audience, as shown in the example above. The purpose of this convention allows the audience to feel that they have a connection with the magazine and entices them into knowing more and wanting to buy it through the use of interaction. 

Cover-lines - Cover-lines can be found anywhere on a magazine front cover. They are sometimes written in numerous amounts of fonts and in a smaller size compared to the Masthead. The purpose of placing cover-lines on the front cover is to give the audience an idea of what they will find inside, if a brief description is shown telling the audience of the stories inside then they are more likely to want to read it and buy it. 

Website - Placing a website link is a great use of media convergence, allowing the audience to carry on their interest using other media forms. Extras can also be found on magazine websites which may not be included in the standard printed form. 

Puff Words - Words that entice the audience into buying the magazine, almost persuasive  Words such as "Plus!" and "Exclusive!"

Unique Selling Point - The unique selling point is used to draw the audience in to the magazine over others as it has a unique feature to separate it from similar magazines. Unique selling points could be things like slogans, to attract the audience, competitions  a free gift etc. Anything that attracts the audience to the magazine. 

Barcode - A standard barcode will also be placed on a magazine cover, from 1988. 

Date - A release date is also shown on a magazine cover to keep up to date with issues or if you are a collector. Dates can include, day, month and year. 

Issue Number - For collectors, they are able to know whether they are up to date.

Price - The price is always shown 

Colour Palette - The colour theme of the magazine, a range of colours put together which go together to make the overall colour palette. For example on the Cosmopolitan magazine colour the colour palette is; white, black, yellow and orange. 

San Serif Font - Fonts such as Arial which do not have serifs on them (small bars). San serif fonts are a lot easier to read which is why magazine covers use them.