The document describes the process of creating a front cover for an indie music magazine in Photoshop. It discusses selecting a black to grey gradient background to reinforce the indie genre. A large horizontal masthead reading "UNDERGROUND" is added in black. The main image is cut out and resized to fill a large portion of the cover. Additional elements like the positioning statement, coverlines, barcode, price and date are customized and placed following conventions of magazine cover design. Color and font choices are made to create cohesion and highlight key information for readers.

1. FRONT COVER
PRODUCTION

2. I created my front cover using
photoshop. I started my design by
creating the background with the
gradient tool. I made the background a
gradient of black to grey as my
questionnaire showed that black and
grey were viewed by many to be colours
associated with the Indie genre so I
chose them to anchor and reinforce the
genre of the magazine.

3. Next, I added my masthead
‘UNDERGROUND’ to do this I used the
horizontal text tool and the ‘Corner Dark’
font. I changed the size of the font to allow
it to fill the screen horizontally to make it
stand out more. I kept the font black to
maintain the colour scheme. I called the
magazine ‘UNDERGROUND’ as it was
one of the most popular words in my
questionnaire that was appropriate for a
title.

4. I then proceeded to add my main image
into the front cover. I opened it on
photoshop and then dragged it over onto
the cover. After, I used the magnetic
lasso tool to cut the background out of
my image. Then I resize the image to
make it fill a large proportion of the page
and make it just over the edge of the
masthead. I used an image with direct
address as it fits in with the codes and
conventions of a front cover as it helps
the reader personally identify with the
picture. My model wore a black top to
coincide with the codes and
conventions.

5. I then created my positioning
statement ‘The Underground kings
of indie’ I chose the word kings as
my magazine is mostly targeted
towards males. I used the word indie
to further anchor the magazine to
the indie genre. I made the text
white to stand out against the black
of the masthead.

6. I then began creating my first coverline and
subline. For the title of my coverline I used the
‘Futura’ font and made the colour black to
stand out against the grey. For the subline I
used the font ‘Futura Bk’ I made this smaller
than the coverline to make the coverline stand
out. I made the text white to continue the
colour scheme but I added a shadow to the
text to make it more visible.
I also added the barcode which I got from the
internet. I resized it as to make sure it didn’t subtract
from the cover itself. I then used the vertical text tool
to add the price next to the barcode.

7. Next, I added a pink rectangle using a
rectangle tool and placed it behind the text. I
did this to make the coverline stand out
further and add a new colour into the colour
scheme. I chose pink as it was a popular
choice in my questionnaire results.

8. I then added my main coverline and
subline. I used the word exclusive in my
coverline as it is a ‘Buzz Word’ which is
more likely to capture the readers
attention. I made the coverline white to
keep with the colour scheme. I used a
quote for the subline as it could entice
readers into purchasing the magazine to
find out more about the article. The
subline says “I hate these s*** indie fans.
I chose the subline as it further anchors
the indie genre. I made the subline pink
to continue with the colour scheme.

9. Finally I moved my price
and date inside the
barcode as is standard
for professional music
magazines.