Research on Magazine Codes and Conventions

Research Part 2

In my last post I went over some design aspects I want to include and

rushed into it without giving thought to the actual conventions of a magazines. To make a properly functional and creative magazine I must first define my parameters and things that need to be included.

What's the cover is supposed to have:

• Masthead: The bold, fancy title that defines your brand; Biggest text on cover.
• Issue Number and Date: Required and takes up an insignificant amount of space on the cover.
• Tagline: Enthralling short phrase that might tempt a certain audience to be more inclined to read/buy, third largest text.
• Cover Image: Usually, It's a person or character of some sort, establishes a theme and content of the 2-6 page spread.
• Cover Model: Person or thing used as the central visual focus of the magazine usually setting a mood for the content in some way.
• Cover Model's Name: Second largest text, can be found usually on the right or left of the cover.
• Cover Lines: Lines of text that are used to let the reader know some of the interesting articles within the magazine, usually they border the cover. Medium sized text is used so that it can be used in high quantities to crowd but not fill the cover. Can sometimes use a variety of fonts and styles in order to stick out. Besides containing the name of the article inside, they also use quotes sometimes to attract readers.
• Bottom strip: Usually is an addition to the cover lines with content such as film and actor names. 
• Color scheme: A set of colors used to represent your brand, usually configures in a way that caters to your main demographic and works well with your content and use of fonts.
• Bar-code: Consistently in a place that isn't obstructing any info and looks insignificant. Necessary for resale.

Additional notes

I've noticed that using strategies such as hierarchy, font choice, font style, and color are integral to not only the sell-ability of the magazine, but also its readability and function. 

Example of a Tagline

https://blog.flipsnack.com/5-useful-design-tips-from-the-father-of-grunge-david-carson

References

• Conventions of a magazine cover. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://slides.com/poojapatel29/conventions-of-a-magazine-cover/fullscreen#/2.
• JordanLiddell Follow. (2016, April 29). Codes and Conventions of Magazines. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/JordanLiddell/codes-and-conventions-of-magazines-61504976.