Magazine Front Covers  - Codes and Conventions

 The title or Mast Head is always across the top of the magazine. It is often partially covered by the main picture and in particular by the main actor or actors.
As in this edition, the colour scheme of the fonts is directly linked to the photo from the film.
Above the masthead there is usually a leading line that introduces either the film or a special feature of that magazine.
Notice the use of what looks like a sticker on the right hand side. Again this matches the overall colour scheme but it often advertises something else in the magazine - in this case another film.
The bar code always features somewhere but it is moved around each week or month to suit the editor.
Empire magazine always tuck the date and price into the M of Empire.

Notice how many similarities there are between the 2 issues of Empire. Although the features are moved about, it contains the same elements.
There are similarities as well between different magazines - have a look at the front of Total Film here.

Like the Empire front cover, the title of the magazine is obscured by the actors. Again there is a leading tag line across the top of the magazine and some information about the featured film. Notice how this magazine has much more information about the overall contents of the issue.
The date and price are tucked neatly into the M of FILM.
Total film also uses a film strip approach to advertising other films across the top of the magazine. This feature is used by Empire on occasions too.
The circle of stars is like a sticker - again advertising another feature inside the mag.
Notice that, as with Empire, the colour scheme of the fonts is well controlled with a limited number of colours. The steel colour of course to match the title of the featured film.
The following image gives us an insight into how the magazine would be edited together. This might help you as you approach a similar task later.