Genre conventions

Front cover:


Layout:

• One main image.
• Masthead at the top of the page.
• 4-6 coverlines in various places around the page.
• A barcode at the bottom of the page along with price and date/issue number.

Colour:

• One main colour palette to stick with throughout the magazine. This will consist of 4 colours, usually black white and 2 main feature colours.
• Yellows and reds are popular to grab the readers attention.
• I will use a contrast of dark and light colours.

House style:

• For my magazine I will keep the same masthead so that my audience know how to find my magazine.
• I will keep the same layout for all front covers where possible.
• My masthead will always be either black or white.

Typography:

• I will use sans-serif font for my masthead and most of my page.
• Some cover lines/ specific words will be in italics to highlight key points.
• I wont use much text on the front cover.

Images:

• I will have one main image for my front cover.

Representation:

• I want my magazine to be represented as a high end regional magazine people should be able to see this from my front cover.
• The magazine will look simple yet informative.
• An interesting, yet easy read.

General content:

• My front cover will contain coverlines with examples of what's inside
• one main image
• barcode
• price
• issue number and date
• masthead

Contents page:

Layout:

• For my contents page I am going to go against conventions and use only one image.
• I will use 10-15 headline titles down the left hand side of the page.
• I will have a subscription box at the bottom of the page with future magazine examples and contact details.
• I will have 'contents' as the page title.

Colour:

• I will follow the colour palette from my front cover to  keep with a house style.
• I wont use any new colours because this would go against conventions and not fit with my colour palette.

House style:

• My contents page will always be laid out the same to keep a house style that readers will recognise.
• I will try to keep the same colour scheme, if not similar.
• I will always have one main image
• Each issue will have a subscription box.

Typography:

• I will use a sans-serif font for all of the text on the page, just as I did for my front cover.
• Important text may be highlighted in italics as this follows common conventions.
• I will have headline titles down one side of the page.
• The page title will be 'contents'
• Text will be to a minimum so that it is easy for the reader to find what they are looking for.

Images:

• I am going to go against general conventions and have one main image for my page.
• It will be a front facing image.

Representation:

• I want my magazine to be represented as laid back and easy to read.
• For this reason my magazine will not be busy and full of info.
• My magazine will be high end yet laid back.

General content:

• My contents page will contain one main image
• 10-15 headline titles
• Main page title
• 4 main colours
• subscription box
• contact details

Double page spread:

Layout:

• One main image across pages, possibly one minor image
• heading left hand side
• subheading under heading
• article across both pages
• page numbers bottom right and left hand corners
• date and issue number in top right hand corner

Colour:

• I will keep the same colour palette as my front cover and contents page.

House style:

• I will use the same fonts and colours to keep my house style.
• My layout will be follow common codes and conventions.

Typography:

• I may use a different font for my title. I will create my own font.
• My article font will be the same as my contents page text.
• I will have my font the same colour as my contents page text.

Images:

• I will use 1 main image and possibly a minor image. This goes against conventions as double page spreads usually contain 2-5 images.

Representation:

• My double page spread will represent local athletes in a good light.
• My page will be simple yet informative.
• I will keep my house style throughout.

General content:

• One-two main images.
• One double page spread article.
• Article title.
• Subheading.
• page numbers.
• issue number.