Codes and Conventions- Front cover.

Masthead (Logo):  Are the magazine name and also the optical brand of the title. This is usually done in a specially designed typeface to be distinctive and unique. A masthead is usually used on the front cover of a magazine as well as a contents page. In addition to this a masthead is can occasionally be used as a logo for advertising and branding.

Dateline: month or year of which the magazine was published

Main image: in the case of the front cover there is a single image of successful singer/ songwriter Adel. The image is used in a seductive and unique way. Her face is big enough to stand out with the singer making direct eye contact to the camera.

Cover lines: this Particular Q magazine uses many cover lines which are mostly on one side of the magazine cover. Usually magazines would have cover lines scattered all over. This is a common technique used to attract more people to want to by that specific magazine.

Main cover line: is extremely large in comparison to the other cover lines. This main cover line promotes the successful artist in a feature of ‘Q’ magazine. The reason the main cover line is towards the bottom of the magazine front cover is so that it does not disrupt the sight of the main image.

Left third: the left third is an extremely important factor to a music magazine as it is where the magazine is shown full frontage. It is important that the title is easily seen by customers as there are dozens of competitors also in display.

Barcode: standard bar code used by normal retailers

Selling line: Short, concise concept of what the magazine is: (‘discover great music)

Website link: all magazines released state the companies / publisher website for example: http://www.qthemusic.com/ .