Music Magazine Front Cover Conventions

Jaymelouise Hudspith

Use, develop or challenge?My media magazine uses several shared features of

professional magazines such as: competitions, pull quotes, extra story lines, mid-shot main image, and more.

However it also develops features not always found on professional magazines. For example the use of social networking link on the cover.

I challenge professional magazines by choosing a bright and light colour scheme for alternative rock when the typical schemes surround dark colours for example black and red or black and blue in order to differentiate my magazine from the masses already in the market.

I have taken the style model cover example I chose to use to help me design my own cover to analysis as it is a professional cover. Against my own in order to show the features I have used and gained inspiration from and the features I have either added, adapted or improved.

MastheadThe magazine used a bold simple title allowing you to see the genre of magazine. The font is slightly eroded to give connotations of a rough look associated with ‘Rock’. The font style is repeated on the cover lines to maintain the house style.

Main image The mid shot image of the main model links to main cover line to give an insight to what the issue is about. The use of the strap line links to the lighting creating a halo over his head. His tattoos link to the masthead as he gives the iconic rock look. The use of his skull and death tattoos coupled with the halo lighting with the strap line connotations of heaven and hell.

Cover lines All the cover lines give an insight into what will feature in the magazine. The use of the light colours is in order to make the cover line stand out but by also using a different don’t to allow more words and therefore a larger insight into the preview to grab the audiences attention.

Free give awayThe magazine will give away free items as a way of drawing more readers in or in order to please the current readers.

Colour schemeThe magazine has chosen to stick to its typical colour scheme of various shades of blue and white which is simple but creates the desired effect. Adding in the use of the third colour yellow allows important information to stand out against the darker colours.

Pull quote The quotation is take from the main featured article as a way of interesting the reader and drawing interest to the article and magazine. The use of language is in order to encourage readers to read on by making it informal and more personal, relatable.

Lead article The main cover line is bolded and placed away from the other cover lines in order to inform the reader that the magazine issue is about the stated band.

Strap linesThese are used to back up the article in order to audience is interested in the story.

FlashThis is used in order to draw attention to other important features in the magazine.

Barcode Has been conveniently placed with the website, issue number, price and other important information.

Secondary images The use of mid shot and close up secondary images

relating to the cover lines and give away help to attract and inspire an audience.

Slogan Magazines will choose an easy and catchy slogan

to associate with their magazine to make it memorable.

Story lines Brief and short insight into magazine features with no description to couple the cover lines.

Sky lineText placed above the masthead. Used as an attempt to draw attention to the magazine.

MastheadThe use of a clear cut font that is bold and stands out against the colour scheme while not taking attention from the main image in order to place the audiences attention where it is needed.

Main imageThe main image is a neatly cut image of a girl who's casual t-shirt, natural messy hair, and use of bright lips and eyeliner as a makeup choice are designed to give connotations to embody the soft rock look to give an alternative feel to the genre and to the magazine.

Cover lines All the cover lines give an insight into what will feature in the magazine. The use of the light colours is in order to make the cover line stand out but by also using a different don’t to allow more words and therefore a larger insight into the preview to grab the audiences attention.

Slogan / meaningI.M.M. is an easy and catchy abbreviation to remember for my magazines full name and therefore is the slogan.

Secondary imagesThe use of mid shot secondary images relating to the cover lines help to attract and inspire an audience

BarcodeHas been conveniently placed with the website, issue number, price and other important information.

Social networkingAttracts a wider audience as it creates a shared forum of the fandom. Allowing the audience to get involved not only with the magazine but with the featured bands and acts.

Pull quote The quotation is take from the main featured article as a way of interesting the reader and drawing interest to the article and magazine. The use of language is in order to encourage readers to read on by making it informal and more personal, relatable.

Story lines Brief and short insight into magazine features with no description to couple the cover lines.

Lead article The main cover line is bolded and placed away from the other cover lines in order to inform the reader that the magazine issue is about the stated band.

Free give away The magazine will give away free items as a way of drawing more readers in or in order to please the current readers.

Colour schemeThe use of the typical red associated with rock magazines, which is also visible in the models lipstick, and the white associated more with cleaner music, for example classical couple to give the connotation of a mix between the two to give the desired genre of alternative rock. The use of the third colour helps to make important information stand out against the background.