Conventions of a magazine front cover

Front covers are the first thing that the reader will see when considering whether or not to buy the magazine. Front covers use bright colours which helps to make them eye catching for the reader. The magazines house style is usually associated with the front cover. House styles are usually a repeated image that is created through colours, fonts and layout.

Conventions of a magazine front cover

• Masthead at the top of the magazine usually in the left corner. Placing the masthead in the top left corner allows it to be one of the first things in the visual syntax. Usually the masthead has a unique font, fills the width of the magazine cover and is one or two words maximum. The masthead helps to build the brand image.
• Main image normally shows the object or person associated with the main article.
• Headlines identify important content within the magazine. The headline is normally the largest font after the masthead
• Cover lines & tag lines advertise articles within the magazine to help to attract the reader.
• Pug / starburst are shapes normally trying to promote something within the magazine. Its normally eye catching to attract the reader.
• Puff is a statement that self advertises the magazine tis normally placed below the masthead
• Pull quotes / Lure are quotes pulled from an article in the magazine and placed on the front cover to draw attention of the readers.