This is a step-by-step guide to producing a magazine cover with a variety of effects designed to give students an overview of filters and blending options. All the assets are included and there is also a link to the completed .psd file. Please also see my Simple Magazine Cover Photoshop tutorial. Adapted from a tutorial I found online.

1. Create a magazine cover using a
range of design techniques in
PhotoShop

2. Assets at:
http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Advanced-
PhotoShop-Magazine-Cover-Tutorial-6446611/

3. Create a new document 21.59cm x 27.94cm 72dpi for screen use)
(Choose your two colours in the colour palette first)
Begin with a radial gradient, by double clicking the unlocked
background layer to activate the Layer Styles menu, then apply a
Gradient Overlay.

4. 1) Filter > Convert for smart filter
2) Then add a lens flare using the method above.

5. 1) Open and drag the City.jpg above the lens flare layer. Resize
using Edit / Transform and change the blending mode to Soft
Light (Double click the layer).

6. 1) Open the Planet image and drag it above the City.jpg layer.
Change the blending mode to Screen and change position and
opacity as you like.

7. Now we will generate some Photoshop clouds to soften up the
background a little more. Create a new layer and fill it with black.
Generate the clouds by pressing Filter > Render > Clouds (make
sure your colours are set to black and white). I also used a large
soft eraser brush to erase the top of my clouds

8. Change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

9. Now we will create a subtle yellow glow. Create a new layer, draw
a circle with the Elliptical Marquee Tool and fill it with yellow
#fbc531.
Apply Filter> Blur > Gaussian Blur with a Radius of 114 pixels.
Lower the Opacity to 45%

10. Cut out the picture of Jeff Banks using the quick selection tool. Add
to the main image. You may need to resize and smooth the edges.

11. Open the planet image again and drag it above the model - use a
large, soft eraser brush and erase the planet from the middle.
Change the blending option to screen.

12. Add a masthead.
Alternative text styles can be found at flamingtext.co.uk
Download as a .png and copy into the image.
Add a drop shadow to make the text stand out.

13. Add some coverlines!
Once you’ve written them go Window > Character
Highlight your text and adjust the tracking and leading to make a
more professional style

14. EXTENSION
Add these magazine cover
conventions to your design:
- More cover lines
- Skyline
- Web address
- Bar code and Price
- Puff Promo