Features of a front cover

Q magazine

Intro

0 I want to research the features of a front cover so that I make sure I have all of the necessary features included to make a successful magazine.

0 In order to do this I am going to examine all of the features included on Q magazine’s front cover and will comment on whether I think they are necessary for my magazine

The title of the magazine is obviously a necessity. This needs to be a prime focus of the reader and needs to be recognisable so that it is memorable. It is almost like the logo for the magazine.

The title is often accompanied by the magazine’s tagline ‘the essential music guide’ is easy to read and links in well with the title as it is close by it. The tagline however shouldn’t ever over power the title of the magazine.

The cover image is usually a mid shot of the artist(s) that are going to be included in the issue. This is also a large image as it needs to be one of the main focuses for the user. I think that the images are best when the cover artist is looking straight into the camera as it feels as though he is looking at the reader which makes the image more engaging and personal for the reader.

There are also smaller images that are usually included. I feel as though these can sometimes be a distraction on the larger image however they are sometimes necessary to give the reader a visual aid of the coverlines included.

The cover artist usually links with a article features inside and a quote from this is usually attached to the cover image. This quote is of a large font and is sometimes written in italics to show that it is a spoken quote.

The artists name also accompanies the quote so that it is clear to the reader where this quote originates from.

There needs to be a price located on the front cover, on this example the price is quite small however I feel as though it is slightly too small and could be enlarged.

There is also the date of the issue included on a front cover so that it is easy for people to keep track of the new issues. I don’t feel as this is as much of a necessity as other features that are included.

The cover also contains a barcode which needs to be easily visible so that it can be easily scanned at the place of purchase.

Other features include

Special offers or FREE offers these are usually of a large font so the reader sees them at a first glance

Coverlines that link with the contents page – the page numbers are not usually shown

Shapes that show special offers or important coverlines

Sometimes the website for the magazine appears to show the synergy between the products

Names of the acts that are to appear in the issue

Conclusion0 I feel as though I can use this research to make sure I

have all of the necessities included on my front cover. The title of the magazine needs to act like a logo and be linked

with a tagline The cover image needs to be a prime focus and is usually linked

to an article The price, barcode and date are generally quite small Other images can be included to advertise some of the other

coverlines Adding FREE sections need to be easily visible at first glance as

this persuades the reader to buy the magazine as they will fell they are getting a good deal.