Conventional Design Features of Magazine

In pairs, we were given a magazine cover to annotate the technical conventions included. Some typicalitys of these are:

• Masthead – This is the title of the magazine. It is arguably the most important design feature as it immediately makes the magazine identifiable; the audience will know what it is straight away.
• Cover Lines – Short pieces of information that give a brief idea into what the magazine will include.
• Main Cover Star – Main person pictured.
• Plug – Something to entice the audience e.g. a prize.
• Barcode – What is scanned so it can be purchased.

These features are all fairly universal and are used in most high-profile magazines such as Vogue and Glamour.  In this cover, the Main Cover Star is actually covering some of the Masthead, but this is not an issue as it is a well-known title that will still be recognized.  The Main Cover Line also helps establish an important part of the magazine and offers a small segment that entices the reader, this increases sales as it makes them want to read more. A Pug is also included, usually in the top right or left corner, it is a visual way of promoting something such as a prize. This also gives other businesses an opportunity to advertise themselves, so this feature supports more than one company/brand. The purpose of these is to catch the reader’s eye, it gives them another reason to consider buying the magazine.

It’s really important to understand what the purpose of these technical conventions is and why they are used. They create a basic layout of the magazine cover that has been used worldwide in magazine production because it works. They all work together to make an easy-to-read and informative cover that should entice the audience into reading more. Aspects such as the Main Cover Line and other Cover lines that typically go down the side of the page will help establish the target audience with the stories and people written about. People will glance at these and know whether or not it will interest them. I will be able to use this information when creating my own magazine as I know what is successful and makes a well-produced cover.