Magazine Front Covers

The purpose of a front cover is to engage readers and this is the really important part of the magazine as it is the first thing you will see and notice before deciding whether you want to buy the magazine.

Masthead
-name of the magazine
-majority is placed at the top
-font style and colour give an idea about what the content of the magazine would include
-name of the magazine should be memorable

Tagline
-placed near the title of the magazine
-this tells us more about what the magazines about

Central Image
-this is most important part of the magazine
-this is relevant to the title

The Cover Model
-maybe a celebrity or a well known person

Anchorage
-term that refers images to words
-this is like a heading
-it helps gives meaning and helps the reader understand more

Coverlines
-located various placed on the magazine
-about what the magazines going to include
-what articles will be featured

Mode of Address
-who is it addressing
-rytherocial questions being asked
-e.g. central image is of someone pointing their finger at you

Puff
-this promotes certain elements
-telling you about free samples or free gifts
-e.g. "NOW 60P" in a yellow sun in the top left hand corner
-colourful background and shapes
-freebies or prizes to be won

Pugs
-placed at the top left or top right hand corner of magazine
-e.g. "SHOES, SHOES, SHOES SOLD AT BURTY'S"

Barcode
-usually at bottom left or side of the page
-not distracting readers from the magazine front cover

Price
-usually small and near the edition and barcode

Editions
-usually small and near the price and barcode

Use of Colour
-why the colour is chosen
-for a specific reason?
-what it contrasts with
-do they change it every issue?