In the blog reflection: list and explain the main design features: masthead, cover lines, main cover line, main cover star, barcode, price, plug, pug, insets and captions.
Focus forward: why is it important to understand the basic rules of layout for a magazine cover?
By analysing magazines it becomes clear that the front pages almost always share key features, by knowing what these are you can use these in your own work to make a more realistic design. Some of these key features include:
- The title of the magazine is always situated at the top of the page, it is often bold and stands out. In this image it is located in the top right corner.
- Magazines often have a main cover star, this person is in the centre of the magazine and is often someone famous to entice their fans into buying the magazine.
- Cover lines are short sentences written to try and encourage the reader to purchase it, often describing an article.
- There is usually a plug. A small box or section describing the context of the magazine.
By using these techniques you are more likely to entice the reader into purchasing your magazine and your magazine looks more professional and full.