Research for Ancillary Tasks - Front cover of a magazine.

I don't like this poster, however the aspect which I do like, and think is inventive, is the picture reel down the bottom. This front cover is too plain and doesn't give much /enough information about the magazine away. Having the models head over the title, doesn't work because you can't read what it says. By giving the first and last letter, isn't enough. There are good ideas here, such as the dark colours and using contrasting colours such as the black red and white, however where this person has placed the text, isn't in the correct place. I don't know what the main focus of this front cover is because my attention (as an on looker and audience) and drawn to the title instead of the main image. This person hasn't followed many conventions when it comes to magazine front covers because the bar code isn't at the bottom with the price - the bar code is half war down the magazine and the price is at the top. When creating a magazine I personally feel you should try to hide the price unless it is a special offer and very cheap. The it should be put in a puff and made bold.

This magazine is a lot better, in terms of the text on it. There is a lot more, explaining what is in the magazine, the colours clashing, meaning they stand out more. This also follow a lot more forms and conventions - They have a big puff selling something major. They haven't covered up the title. The main image is the main focus, which is enhanced by not using any more images of the whole cover. The text is emphasised because they have used the same colour as in the picture which the blood. The bar code is at the bottom and the price is hidden.

I am hoping to take aspects from both of these front covers. The top one I would like to replicated the reel of images down the bottom of it, as I personally feel it is quirky, and the bottom one uses most of the forms and conventions which I will be using in mine.