In this task we analysed a magazine cover and labelled it with the appropriate technical names for each thing. As you can see in the image above these include: masthead, plugs, pugs, captions, main cover star, cover lines, issue date, price, barcode and inset.

Masthead is the title of a magazine at the top of the front page giving the name of the publication. Cover Lines are on the front page of a magazine which advertises a story or feature of something inside. Main Cover Line is smaller then the Masthead but bigger than the other cover lines. Main Cover Star is a large picture which represents the brand. It can take up most of the front page or be at the top. Barcode is code in the form of numbers and an arrangement of parallel lines which is read by a machine. Used mainly for stock control. Price shows the amount of money required to be given in payment for the item in order to purchase it. Plugs are one of the selling points of a magazine, but are made less obvious then the Main/Cover Lines. Usually on the side of the bottom of the front page. Pugs are either on the top left and/or right corner of the front page which can include the prices of the magazine, the logo, a promotion or even a freebie. Aka ‘the ears of the magazine’. Insets are the inserts in a magazine such as a picture which shows more detail or information. Caption is a brief description under or over a picture which explains the picture and what is happening in it.

Why is it important to understand the basic rules of layout for a magazine cover?

It is important to understand the basic rules of layout for a magazine cover as it gives you the expectations you need to meet to be able to create and design your own magazine cover. It helps you to make the organization of your magazine to be more effective. It also helps the cover to flow so it is more efficient.