This document discusses and evaluates multiple color palettes for use on an indie rock magazine cover. It considers whether the colors imply the genre of rock, are too bright or dull, suit different age groups, provide enough contrast, and create a calm or bold feel. The author ultimately selects a palette using pink, blue and white as the main text colors as they are complimentary, universal, not too bright on the eyes, and will likely compliment the chosen center image.

1. This colour palette uses simple colours
that both contrast and compliment each
other. The less vibrant colours such as
grey, black and white would be used in the
negative space and as a background for
the main text which would be written in
the brighter colours such as the yellow
and blue. I would use the yellow for the
masthead as it is the brightest and the
blue for the subheadings as it draws the
secondary focus as it is not as bright as the
yellow. This palette revolves around the idea of hot
colours, suggesting the idea of anger, aggression
and passion. These are all key elements within
the genre, however they might overpower the
cover by putting too much into one small
amount of space. There isn’t much of a contrast,
but the black and white would stand against the
hot colours and give them more of a bold edge.
These colours are more earthy which link to the
celestial, bohemian side of the indie rock genre.
Whilst these colours connote a naturalistic
theme, they don’t really imply the idea of rock
very well as the genre tends to be quite bright
and funky. However, if I chose to go for a softer
feel when choosing my images and what tone the
magazine cover will convey, this palette would
work well as it is more of a calm, collective
combination.

2. This palette has more of a bright, funky
feel to it and would be effective if I were
aiming it at a young audience of around
10-15 year olds. However, as my magazine
will be aimed at a slightly older audience I
think that this combination might look too
child like and will therefore demean my
audience. However, the colours work well
together and might be better off being
used on a double page spread to reflect an
artist rather than the magazine itself.
I think that this colour palette could be used for the
magazine cover as it has contrasting and
complimentary combination that would draw the
audiences attention without being too ‘in your face’.
The pink and green combination would work well for
the masthead and headlines as they compliment each
other and are bright and attractive. The other colours
would be used in the background in order to make the
brighter colours stand out. Orange in this combination
looks a little odd and draws attention because of this. I
would use this to my advantage and highlight special
offers using it so that the reader will be drawn towards
it.
This combination is quite cartoon like and
might suggest that it is a child’s magazine at it
uses all of the primary colours which are
bright and would make the page rather noisy
and overpowering.

3. These colours are quite bold and edgy when put
next to each other which implies separation and
seriousness. However, at the same time, the yellow
and red stand out very well against the black,
white and grey creating a good contrast. I do feel
that it might look too bold and might be harsh on
the eyes when looking at a first glance.
I really like this combination as it has elements of
light against dark and the brighter colours aren’t
too bright as to be harsh on the eyes but are
bright enough to draw attention and look
attractive at the same time. The colours are
universal and don’t refer to any specific age group
or gender which means I can widen my audience.
This palette is also very attractive and pleasant
on the eye. It uses the idea of bright colours
against darker shades in order to draw attention
which works well as the colours are also
complimentary against the darker background.

4. I love this colour combination. The colours that
would stand out and be used as the main text
would be the pink, blue and white, they are both
complimentary and universal and the fact that
they aren’t extremely bright makes it nicer on
the eyes. As the brighter colours are considered
to be more common and can be found in most
images, it will almost undoubtedly compliment
the image I choose to have as my centre of visual
interest as well as the rest of the text on the
cover. They can also be used as reoccurring
themes throughout the magazine.