The document provides guidance on conventions for magazine design based on a lesson the author attended. It discusses front covers, contents pages, and double page spreads of magazines like Q and Kerrang. For the front cover, it emphasizes using a striking central image, clear masthead and tagline, background that enables the image to stand out, captions and pull-quotes to hook readers. For contents pages, it suggests using large page numbers, brand identity elements, anchoring images and headings of band names. For double page spreads, it advises using a central unifying color, simple layout with title and image, and informal Q&A interview style.

1. Reminders of
Conventions
A re-evaluation of where my magazine is going...

2. • During a recent lesson, we went over the
conventions of front covers, contents pages and
double page spreads.
• We looked at issues of Q and Kerrang! to help us
think about how to put together our own front
covers.
• Here are things I am going to think about as I put
together my magazine...

3. Front Cover
• The central image is very striking and immediately
connects with the audience.
• The masthead is simple, with the tagline incorporated in
it and is a direct mode of address to the audience, so I
need to think carefully about what I want to say to the
audience as it is the first impression they will get of the
magazine.
• The clear background enables the image to pop out.
• Clear captions and the pull-quote hooks you in.
• The main heading anchors the main image, creating a
feeling of it being thought out.
• There’s an online presence with the details in the
barcode.
• There’s an exclusive ‘button’ which I have already
experimented with.

4. •
Front Cover
This cover is a lot more cluttered which fits in with
the audience and genre conventions. I need to be
constantly thinking: who is my audience?
• There are messy fonts and layout which can be
achieved through laying and differing the styles and
colours.
• The band names have a red strip behind them, making
them stand out against the rest of the writing. This is
because readers are on the look out for specific bands
and also it makes it clear what genre the magazine is.
• At the top of the cover are lures like competitions,
and at the bottom is a list of bands inside the
magazine.
• There are lots of images used on the front cover in
the ‘poster special’. This is also a lure and stands out
through the colour red. The colouring of the pictures
are also similar creating uniformity.

5. Contents
• The page number is really big next to the main
article - making it easy for readers to go straight
to it.
• It isn’t too fussy which is important as it is a
functional page.
• There is use of brand identity at the top of the
page, which is well organised.
• This is continued in the footer of each page
throughout the magazine.
• It is neat with anchoring images.
• The headings are of band names that readers
could be interested in, along with the
corresponding page numbers as readers want to
be able to see at a glance which page to go to.

6. Contents
• Along with a picture of the editor, there is a short
editorial which introduces the magazine and references
some of the highlights.
• This is a means of directly addressing the audience and
gives it a more personal tone.
• Again the band names or article names are in bold next
to the page numbers so it is easy to navigate the
magazine.
• There are also lots of pictures which make it more
interesting to look at and helps to highlight some articles.
• This contents page is more cluttered, but still easy to
read, there are striking images, including a main image
along the top.
• There is a subscription offer, as well as credits along the
side of the page, which makes it look more professional.

7. •
DPS
There is a central colour used which runs through
the whole magazine creating a flow, which is more
pleasing to the eye, as well as brand identity as the
masthead’s main colour is red.
• It is a simple layout, with the title and main image
taking up the top half of the spread and the text
at the bottom half. But the red information boxes
about the members of the band break it up and
makes it more interesting to look at.
• The interview is in a Q&A style, which means it is
in an informal style which contrasts which the
slick layout.
• The colouring of the image is the same as the
front cover image, and reflects the genre of the
band; gritty and real.
• Overall it is effective as it isn’t too cluttered, while
still being eye-capturing.