Caitlin Porley

Magazine Construction

What you get on front covers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

11.12.

13.

14.

15.

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Secondary Lead

Plug

Graphic Feature or Puff

Selling Line or Banner

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

Flash

Menu Strip

Bar Code

Date Line

10.

Headline

Caption7.

Web-links?

Ears?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

11.12.

13.

14.

15.

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Secondary Lead

Plug

Graphic Feature or Puff

Selling Line or Banner

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

Flash

Menu Strip

Bar Code

Date Line

10.

Headline

Caption7.

Web-links?

Ears?9. Slogan

The masthead “Rock Sound” clearly connotes rock music which makes it obvious who the magazine is for.

The anchorage usually creates an enigma which is used as a teaser to get the reader to carry on. On some of the cover the feature article photo illustrates the anchorage, for example the second magazine cover illustrates the anchorage “Oli Sykes… saint or sinner?” as there is a halo like ring of light above his head which connotes angels or a “saint”.

The use of language hints at a young target audience in the kickers, anchorage etc. This is because it uses techniques such as alliteration or puns which are usually used to interest younger people.

I think the feature article photo is the most important feature of the cover. This is because even if someone doesn’t stop to read it they can see what band(s) are included in the magazine without paying much attention to anything else.

An informal register is used on the covers which makes it appear more casual and friendly towards the reader.

Conventions Notes

How front covers are conceived and laid out

Direct mode of address can appear ‘in your face’, serious, engaging…

Creates a wacky, fun image, sharing an identity with the reader that offers the ‘independence’ of indie music. Enigma – what are

they getting up to now?

Composition of the photo makes it obvious who the lead singer is.

COLOUR – There is a large amount of blue and red used in the covers. The masthead and background colours switch between white, blue, red and grey depending on which compliments or contrasts best with the photo.

FONTS – The font of the headline changes each time however the size is generally consistent.

STYLE – There is a direct mode of address in every photo and most are medium close ups. A mid range shot is usually used when there are more than four people in the photo. The covers usually look quite clustered which makes it more engaging to the reader, this is also achieved if the cover uses an enigma, for example “if this is our last shot we’ll go down fighting” on the Fall Out Boy cover as this makes the reader question it.

USE OF SPACE – The left third of the cover is usually the most dominant, and the layout is generally quite conventional, for example the headline is central and the masthead is at the top.

CONCLUDE – The covers are usually quite clustered which makes it unusual compared to other magazines which are more neatly laid out. I think the overall design is very effective because it is eye-catching and unique, particularly in the newer covers e.g. the first two examples.

House Style & Design Notes