Conventions of a Music Magazine Front Cover

Now that I have analysed all 3 different magazine front covers, contents pages and double page spreads, it has help me learn about the typical conventions that is included in each magazine and the particular house styles I prefer and may wish to include in my music magazine. First of all I will start off by listing all of the typical conventions you will find on a Music Magazine Front Cover.

Masthead: The main conventions that are similar throughout each of these magazines are that they have their Mast Head as the top of the page. 

Both NME and Q have their title of their magazine towards the left hand side of the cover, which I rather like and may end up incorporating this idea, when it comes to making first drafts and even in making my magazine. 

Main Image: is one of the key conventions of a magazine, as it helps inform the audience immediately who the cover story is about as well as immediately attracting the reader (the fan base of the celebrity/person/interest). Generally, all of their models on the front cover are giving a Direct Mode of Address, as they are looking at the camera, drawing the readers into buying their publication. I believe this is a good way to entice my target audience into purchasing my magazine.

For example, Little Mix on Top of the Pops Magazine:

Boost /Banner (The Main Feature Article): this is always included on the front cover of a magazine to immediately inform the audience as well as intrigue the reader to find out more. Usually, there is a main image of which the main article is about, to give visual affect, attracting their target market. The font is usually large, bold and stands out to attract the audience and grab their attention. Also, the subtitle (which can also be known as a teaser or even a hook) is used to present the reader with more information on the main article. 

Sell lines: these are always on a front cover to entice the reader to buy the magazine and find out more. Along with the main image, the cover story helps to inform the audience of the content featured in this particular issue of the magazine. However, there are usually more than one cover lines on the cover. Sometimes a sell line may conventionally include a photograph then some text accompanying the photograph.

Burst: This is usually shown to advertise a free promotion of free gift included in the magazine. It is generally an insert on the front cover, like a shape or something, that contrasts from the main image in order for it to stand out.

Sky Line: is a strip of text above the Mast Head, which is either to promote a free gift of a sell line.

Date & Issue and Price Tag: Generally all of these conventions are situated at the bottom of the page, as it is the last thing the audience will read. Plus this is not something that would catch and appeal to their target market so it is usually relatively small. Price tags exist again for commercial and retail purposes to inform the buyer the cost of the magazine. The date is used to inform the reader of the dated published if they collect that particular magazine and file them in chronological order. The price tag & date/issue are conventional found near the barcode.

The Barcode: this is particularly important as it exists on a magazine for retail & commercial purposes.