Key concepts and Terminology

The key concepts which were shown in the PowerPoint included:

• Masthead
• Essential info
• Barcode
• Main Sell- line
• Sub head
• Sell lines
• Colour
• Main image

The masthead is the title of the magazine and is usually positioned at the top left for storage reasons/layout purposes however the main reason being that we read left to right. The essential info consists of the date, issue number and price and the barcode is for selling purposes. the main sell line is usually an emigna code, this teases the audience and draws them in. The sub head normally explains the enigma/teaser. The sell line are other mini stories featured in the magazine. Colour is very important, the palette is restricted to a few contrasting colours for maximum impact. The main image is also very important and its build the image/identity for the magazine.
The main image also has its own conventions for example, there are four main poses:

• Invitational pose
• Super smiler
• Romantic/sexual
• Chocolate box

For invitational poses the mouth tends to be shut with just a hint of a smile. The eyes are emphasised. The look is mysterious with the head tilted or looking back over the shoulder. A soft shell.
The Super smiler, is a full on shot. Big smile, looks confident and assertive. The hard shell.
Romantic/Sexual, Either the overt “come on” usually directed at the single male or the sensual, dreamy self-absorbed female icon, only hinting at availability.
The chocolate box, this look features a slight parting of the lips with a glimpse of teeth. The face is shot full on or slightly turned away. The emphasis is on the flawless beauty.

The cover:
Covers are the frontline in an increasingly competitive marketplace
89% of Magazines are sold through retail outlets rather than subscription
With over 8000 titles available and hundreds on offer in each store it is essential to maximize impact and appeal on the shelf
Design must, therefore, respond to conditions at the point of sale.
Identify the key conventions of covers from this example and discuss how these conventions have grown up from a need to sell more magazines in the newsagents

Setting the tone:
A strong sense of content and outlook must be conveyed in a single glance
Style and Youth Culture magazines rely heavily on conveying content through:
Framing (the way the camera is positioned and the image cropped)
Mise en scene (setting, costume, colour, body language)
Font style, as well as textual information

Capturing the Audience:
Most magazines are self-consciously generational (they target and attract a specific age group).
Magazines reflect and emphasise a sense of identity that allows target groups to stand apart from the crowd
Magazines can attract a broad readership but most cater for particular interests or ‘niche markets’ allowing for very focused advertising
On the basis of these covers what conclusions can you draw about the target audience for this magazine?  As well as age, gender, social class think about lifestyle, interests, attitudes.