Conventions - Cover Page Of A Magazine

Conventions

    A magazine cover serves several purposes the main purpose being the ability to sell a brand. The cover page of a magazine must be visually appealing to readers attracting a new and inspiring issue that has never been previously seen; These elements make cover pages  the most important page of the entire magazine. 

    Designers of  a magazine spend an immense amount of time congregating new ideas and details that can be added into the magazine cover page to create a feel that has never been felt before. At times, companies will hire a designer to simply do the cover page because they understand the importance of its first impression. Cover page design can be divided in four major categories. Image based, illustration based, type based and as I like to call them concept based cover pages.

    According to the source, looking at the camera, preferably smiling. almost all celebrity magazines, almost all fashion magazines and men’s magazines utilize this tactic for cover pages. In many cases the person featured on the cover sells that issue. This is why some celebrities sell more covers than the other.

   Some magazines go for a different approach and that is to present the cover person in an unusual way. Not looking at the camera and appearing to be more intricate and peculiar than reality. It all depends on the nature of the publication. 

    

Type based cover pages tend to be striking and even shocking. There is a beauty and simplicity in type and can present the message that is trying to be expressed  much better than an image. A well known typography based cover is Esquire’s “Oh My God, We Hit a Little Girl!”

Masthead is another essential section of magazines. Mastheads lists editorial staff, publisher, subscription details, and contact information. Members of the advisory board, readers, interns, proofreaders, and designers are also often listed.

     The entire concept is to truly captivate the audience and what must be achieved in order to completely express yourself and make the message you wish to present as crystal clear as possible without going overboard. Below are a few example of TIME magazine covers interpretations of events through history. Each representing a different time of artistry and history.