media

1. THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE FRONT
COVER/MAIN
CONVECTIONS

2. THE MASTHEAD
The masthead is seen as the main feature of
the front cover, it allows the audience to see
who the magazine is by and to give them a
rough idea on the genre. Magazine designers
will ensure the masthead is visible and stands
out beside every other magazine. Also the
masthead usually stays the same font and
colour so people can identify the magazine
easily and the style will remain in their minds.
The masthead is also usually the largest piece
of text on the page and is placed at the top of
the magazine, usually in the middle but can be
put further to the left or right.
Here are some examples of music
magazine mastheads.

3. THE STRAPLINE
The strapline is based at the top of the
magazine and is placed jus above the
masthead. It usually highlights he
importance of a story within the
magazine and starts with ‘EXCLUSIVE:’
in a different colour to the rest of the
strapline, some straplines may say
something about the magazine its self
or promote the freebee some
magazines come with. Not all
magazines include these, and if they do
they are not always on issue. However
they do attract the audiences attention
and makes them want to read more.

4. THE MAIN
COVERLINES
The main coveline is smaller
than the masthead, but larger
than all the other coverline. It is
the same colour as the other
coverlines, but it is usually
based on the main image. After
the masthead, the main
coverline is where the
audiences eyes are drawn to.

5. COVER LINES
Cover lines are pieces of text on
the cover which give a short
explanation on the stories within
the magazine. They can also be
known as puffs. They are the
same colour as the main cover
line just smaller and do not stand
out as much. This does help the
main cover line stand out. Cover
lines are usually spread out
across the magazine and there is
quite a few of them sometimes
they include a small photo. They
are there to make the audience
want to read the magazine and
find out more about the stories.

6. IMAGE
The main image is one of the
most important parts of the
magazine cover. It is of a model
or object in which the magazines
main story is based on. The
image is of someone or
something which the target
audience is attracted to and
would want to know the latest
news about. The model is usually
looking straight at the audience
which draws them in and makes
them feel as though it is directed
and aimed to the personally.
The main image on this magazine is of
Usher a famous R&B singer, he is looking
straight at the audience and has a straight
expression, the magazine is called Vibe so
this image fits the magazine title rather
than being of the model smiling, they look
as though they are playing it cool