Magazine Covers Flashcards
Why is magazine’s cover important element, in terms of how it appeals to potential buyers
At a glance, you can generally tell if a magazine is going to interest you, that it appears to your hobbies or aspirations (what you are hoping to get out of life)
Different magazines have distinct house styles that convey their brand identity. What is brand identity?
The image the company paints of itself through logos, slogans and other marketing tools to make itself appealing to the reader.
Different magazines have different modes of address. What is a mode of address?
The ways in which media text uses language to speak to its audience; for example, formal, informal, cool, clever,
Title of magazine
Where is it placed? Is it easy for people to see? What is the type face? Is it distinctive? This will be part of the core part of the brand identity
Is there a slogan? What is a slogan?
a short, catchy statement or phrase, intended to ‘sum-up’ the magazine’s image and to stick in the reader’s mind.
Is there an image - what is it conveying?
(1) most magazines use single, strong central image which serves to ‘anchor’ the cover i.e. provide it with weight and focus, and help establish the magazine’s core values and identity.
(2) When using human models, the designer will be careful not to obscure the mouth or eyes, as they are the most expressive part of the face.
‘Flash’ / Cover Line / Sell Line
(1) Once the cover is anchored by the image, text will be strategically
placed around it so as to advertise the contents of the magazine.
(2) Usually, there will be one larger flash’ and a series of smaller cover lines.
(3) The main flash will often be placed in the bottom left
quarter of the cover and frequently connects with the central image.
Is there a free gift?
Magazines sometimes come with small gifts or product ‘promotions’ attached. To be effective, these gifts or offers need to be closely targeted at the magazine’s core consumers.
What is the colour scheme?
Designers tend to stick to a limited colour scheme, otherwise the page becomes too busy.
Red can suggest ‘danger’, ‘boldness’, ‘passion’, sex’, ‘heat’ or ‘energy’ or a combination of them all.
Is there a Name Check i.e. the name of a famous person?
Name checks can act as a clear indicator of the ‘cultural territory’ on which the magazine focuses. For example, ‘The Weekend’ gives the reader an indication of the kind of star that appears in this magazine.
What is the Language? Does it speak to the reader?
Language is very important. It will be snappy and ‘economical’, with no wasted or unnecessary words.
Does it contain poetical devices? – puns, plays on words, metaphors, alliteration and so on.
Does it interest and intrigue the audience in as short a ‘read-time’ as possible.
Does the vocabulary chosen will reflect the target audience eg – specialist terms or slang words help to make the reader feel more intimate with the magazine: we both speak the same language;
we’re all part of the same gang!
