Front Cover Conventions

Basic conventions of a front page

• A front cover should one main image, a mid shot and the individual or group shot being looking to the camera to interact with the buy, making it more attractive. 
• There should be a main focus or feature, such as a celebrity. 
• There should be three main sections to your front cover. The main section with a large image and the main cover line. Second section with the main cover lines and the third with a few smaller cover lines.
• The front cover needs a masthead, which should be bigger and bolder than the rest of the text on the page.
• Make sure there is contrast between your colours, if they clash you will not be able to see the writing.
• The positioning of the masthead is not important. It can be at the very top of the page or a cover line can be written above the masthead.
• The background of the image you take should be a solid colour. Patterns will make the cover hard to design when it comes to adding text.
• Photography is more successful and looks better on a front cover rather than illustrations.
• Magazines are stacked in the shops so that the left third of the magazine is visible. The most attention grabbing cover lines and pictures should be on this part of the magazine so that you attract your audience.