CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF A MAGAZINE FRONT COVER.

• One main image which takes up the whole front cover.
• The main image is usually the main feature article.
• Studio photographs.
• The main image is using direct address (to involve the reader)
• Title: unique font (trademark)                                                                                                  usually one word                                                                                                                         fills the width of the cover, or is in the top left corner.
• Positioning statement - usually above or below the title.
• Price and issue date usually by the title - 11pt size (sometimes by the barcode).
• Puff - offering something extra to the magazine.
• Buzzword - most common  "EXCLUSIVE" (usually main feature)
• Coverlines (sell lines), main coverline is largest on the cover after the title, it anchors the meaning of the image, usually a subline in smaller text giving more information about the article.
  - Other coverlines are usually one or two words with smaller sublines explaining them, this is consistent across the design.
• First two lines/ words in colour/ larger font size/ different font to sublines.
• Barcode always on front cover as they cannot put it on the back page due to advertisement.
• Strip across top or bottom containing artists featured in magazine.
• Coverlines frame the image, or are down one side of the magazine
• Small number of colours used.