Magazine front cover some key design features & marketing devices:

1. Title of publication placed in the top third so that it is easily visible, particularly when stacked with other magazines in limited shelf space. Note the distinctive typeface (or font) in time, this becomes established as the magazines logo and, once sufficiently well known, can be partially obscured by the cover image allowing both for design flexibility and a knowing sense of recognition on the part of the loyal audience. 2. Slogan a short, catchy statement or phrase, intended to sum-up the magazines image and to stick in the readers mind. 3. Central image most magazines tend to employ a single, strong central image which serves to anchor the cover i.e. provide it with weight and focus, and help establish the magazines core values and identity. When using human models, the designer will be careful not to obscure the mouth or eyes, as they are the most expressive part of the face. It is interesting to note that magazines aimed at both males and female audiences commonly use female cover models the difference will usually lie in the way in which the model is addressing the gaze of the camera. 4. Flash once the cover is anchored by the image, text will be strategically placed around it so as to advertise the contents of the magazine. Usually, there will be one larger flash and a series of smaller ones. The larger one will often be placed in the bottom left quarter of the cover and frequently connects with the central image. This is an example of a convention a common device to which the audience have become accustomed and whose sense they take for granted. 5. Free offer magazines sometimes come with small gifts or product promotions attached. Usually a short message will alert the reader in case the object has gone missing! To be effective, these gifts need to be closely targeted at the magazines core consumers.

6. Colour scheme in order to avoid a cover becoming too busy and therefore difficult to decode, designers tend to stick to a limited colour scheme. Certain colours are generally felt to work well together and to provide a particular vibe oranges, reds and pinks are warm and fun; blues, greens and blacks are cool and fresh. There are no absolutely hard and fast rules regarding colour red, for example, depending on the context, can suggest danger, boldness, passion, sex, heat or energy or a combination of them all. Experienced designers develop a feel for the way colour works their skill lies in combining colours effectively to create an impression that might feel right but be extremely difficult to place into words. 7. Name Checks the name checks on the front cover act as a clear indicator of the cultural territory on which the magazine focuses. These names act like signposts to map out the region in which the magazine is interested. Note that, in this issue of J-17, while Freddie Prinze Jr, Dermot OLeary and the rest clearly feature inside the magazine, Britney gets a prominent name-check even though she does not feature inside. It is also worth noting that the magazine can assume that the TA recognise certain individuals by their first name alone Britney, Robbie, Cameron, Christina etc. Surely this represents the true measure of celebrity! 8. Language - the language employed on the cover is also significant. It will be snappy and economical, with no wasted or unnecessary words. Often quasi-poetical devices will be used puns, plays on words, metaphors, alliteration and so on. The idea is to interest and intrigue the audience in as short a read-time as possible. The vocabulary chosen will reflect the TA and will often be chosen so as to reward them for understanding it specialist terms or slang words help to make the reader feel more intimate with the magazine: we both speak the same language; were all part of the same gang! Most often, covers will only employ one or two different typefaces, varying the effect by using different point sizes and bold & italics. Too many different typefaces tend to make the cover feel disorganised and lacking in focus. Some typefaces come in families, giving several versions with different weights or modified formats e.g.

Eras Light, Medium, Demi and Bold

Using one of these families can provide for a tidy, harmonious feeling. 9. Competitions competitions and other opportunities to win prizes are a further way of seducing the reader. Quizzes and questionnaires can also serve to draw readers in and make them feel more personally involved with the publication. These are an example of interactivity. 10. Direct Address & Asking Questions magazine covers frequently address their readers as YOU, as if they were in direct communication with them. By asking a question of their readers (Could YOU be a movie star?, Which Atomic Kitten do YOU fancy?), magazine covers give the impression of opening a dialogue that can only be continued by purchasing the publication. 11. Bar code, Date and Price for straightforward selling purposes, all commercial magazines need this information on their cover. However, most designers will consider them an encumbrance and will make them as small and inconspicuous as possible, so as not to compromise the integrity of their compositional work.

12. The Real Target Audience it is not uncommon for magazines to target an audience that might not be immediately apparent in the promise of their title or in their official, advertised publishing intent. A magazine officially targeted at 17 year old girls will usually be read by 13-14 year olds; a magazine such as Nuts or Loaded will officially be aimed at twentysomething males, but the publishers are aware that boys much younger than that will read them. This can lead to heated debates about what is and is not suitable for inclusion in magazines, with accusations of irresponsible marketing a regular feature of the magazine publishers world. 13. Web address most magazines now have their own website that accompanies the magazine. The website acts as an extension of the magazine and provides further opportunities for readers to interact with the magazine. The web address usually appears in small print somewhere on the front cover.