Codes and Conventions of a magazine

The codes and conventions of a magazine are the unwritten rules that a magazine follows.

The codes and conventions are that every magazine has a central image which fills the front cover of the magazine which goes with the main feature article, the image is used to convey attitude. The image has direct address which means that wherever a person is the image will be looking at them, this draws the attention of the buyer of the magazine.

The title is written in a unique font which no other magazine will have. It usually fills the width of the cover or is in the top left corner.

Magazines all uses buzz words for example Exclusive; this attracts peoples attention because it means its something they can’t get anywhere else. Most magazines use puns which is a play on words.

There is a simple color scheme for a magazine which is usually 2 or 3 colors to give the magazine a modern look.

Every magazine has the barcode on the front cover of the magazine because they have advertisements on the back.

Magazines have a positioning statement that is usually above or below the title. The price and issue date is usually 11pt in size and sometimes by the barcode.

Magazines have specials offers called puff, which is offering something extra for example special offers which attracts attention this Is a selling point of a magazine.

Cover lines, sell lines which Is text around the cover and frame the main image.

The main cover line is the largest text on the cover after the title and it anchors the meaning of the image. There is usually a sub line in smaller text that gives more information on the article this is written in smaller font or a different color to the cover line.

The other cover lines are usually on one two words with sub lines explaining them. This is consistent across the design.

There is a strip across the top or bottom of the front page containing lists of artists names who feature in the magazine.