(image taken from http://www.thesnowboardshop.co.uk/images/whitelines-magazine.jpg)'Whitelines' is a magazine centred on extreme sports (more specifically snowboarding and skiing.) In this post I will discuss how conventions are used in the front cover and adapted to suit the needs of the magazine (such as attracting the desired target market and putting across their 'image'.)
Main Heading: The main headline ('Whitelines'), though not made in a colour which contrasts with the scheme like you would expect for it to stand out, is placed away from the white in the photo which means that it can stick to the colour scheme portrayed in the photograph, yet still stand out. The name itself also portrays the theme of snowboarding, as the term 'Whitelines' is supposed to mean the white line trail left behind a snowboard while moving through the snow. It also implies that the magazine is aimed at a specific market, due to the fact that the term 'Whitelines' itself doesn't give anything away about the magazine on first glance, a person would probably have to have an interest in the subject in the magazine and maybe have heard about it by some other medium before knowing what it is about when going by the title alone.
Picture: The picture used on the front cover shows a person participating in the sport of snowboarding, in a very breathtaking environment, (the mountains, snow, icy blue sky etc; the perfect environment for snowboarding.) I believe one of the main aims of this picture is to attract the target audience, as most snowboarders or skiers would probably want to participate in the sport in an environment such as this. It is also putting across the idea that if you but this magazine, and take heed of what it has to say on the certain aspects of snowboarding, you will have the opportunity to do the sport in such a great environment as this, and be as skilled as the person in the photo appears to be. It also could even attract people who aren't interested in the contents of the magazine, due to the possibility that the imagery may spark interest. Even if the person wasn't interested in the magazine, they could have relatives or friends who are interested in snowboarding and then they could inform them of the magazine by word-of-mouth.
Outline of Content: These are a few minor headlines listing subjects raised in the magazine and different people (most likely famous snowboarders) who are featured. The purpose of these are to give people an idea of what is inside the magazine, and if a person has an interest, or wants to specifically know about an issue raised then they will see the minor headlines and most likely buy the magazine to read what is inside.
Issue Number: This is a convention of all magazines and is there so that the specific magazine can be referenced easily and even filed in the correct order. Also, if an article follows on from one in an earlier issue, the magazine with the original subject in can easily be found and read.
Bar-code/Price/Date: Like the Issue Number, these three aspects (presented together in the bottom left hand corner,) are all conventions of any magazine. They are only small in the corner because they are not important for attracting the intended audience, so there is no point in having them taking up a lot of room which can be put to good use. They are, however, important for the companies who make, supply, transport and sell them; they are only really important in a 'behind the scenes' sort of way. (i.e. they are only important for the manufacturers and not essential for the consumer).
