Magazine research

After doing research the following examples are things I have found common among film magazine covers. As “ Empire” is the leading title within this field it is the main title I have centred my research around.





A common feature among feature among magazines, in particular well-known titles, is to allow the top of the image to overlap onto the masthead. This is something I would attempt to emulate; as it would give the magazine I produce a more professional feel.



A “Z pattern” is followed in many titles, as it is the natural way in which someone would view a magazine cover on a shelf. This is demonstrated by the purple line, which starts at the beginning of the masthead, goes down through the image and then through the text at the bottom of the page. Also the predominant text mass is kept to the left of the page as demonstrated by the green box, with less placed on the right.



Puffs are a common feature on magazines, although not always present and is usually present at one side of the magazine cover. This is something again that I would attempt to put on my magazine.

Other things I have noticed is that a magazine cover includes a price and an issue number/ date, a website, a bar code (usually place in a place which is not too noticeable) and usually a solid colour background.