The document discusses the development of a magazine front cover design. It includes: - Experiments blurring and cutting out a model image in Photoshop and Word. - Testing different background colors and gradients, ultimately choosing a light grey gradient. - Refining the cut-out of the model to make it look neat and professional. - Adding the magazine masthead and beginning to add cover lines and dates. The designer shares iterations of the design and explains design choices and further improvements needed to make the front cover appealing and professional.

1. Front Cover
Planning &
Development:

2. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead:
This is my unedited image taken onto Photoshop. I
then blurred out the background by using the lasso
tool and then selecting the background with a
feathered edge so it doesn’t look harsh. I did this to
see if I wanted to cut my model out from the
background or just blur it. I came to the conclusion
that I would prefer to cut my model out, as I feel that
the background is a distraction from her, and also I
want my cover lines to stand out easily. I placed the
masthead behind her head, as this is how I will place
my masthead on my final design. It also gave me the
skill of cutting out only her head, and having to place
the text behind so it looks professional – to help to do
this, I used a blur and eraser tool to make it look
natural. As you can see on the
right, this image shows the
gradient of the blur, and how it
hasn’t blurred out a certain
part, as I forgot to select it. I
think it looks a little messy, and
not entirely professional
looking. Although, I am happy
with this experiment as I have
further developed my skills on
Photoshop to edit an image.

3. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead:
This is another experiment I have done in order
to develop my front cover. Instead of using
Photoshop, I used Microsoft Word to design
this flat plan. I used word as it was quick and
easy to get a general idea of how my magazine
could look, as Photoshop takes me longer to
use. I have used my edited image here, and
have also decided to use a darker background
– this makes her stand out and catch the eye of
the viewer. On the background I have use a
gradient effect from black to grey – I really like
this effect and I think it adds depth to my front
cover. You can see that I have cut out my model
badly, but when I do this on Photoshop, it’ll be
a lot neater and professional looking. But
again, I have placed the masthead behind her
head, creating layers adds yet more depth to
my front cover & the bold serif white font
stands out easily against the dark background.
If I were to use a dark background, all my cover
lines would have to be white, which means they
may not stand out well if they overlap onto
parts of my model, as she is bright and
colourful. Overall, I’m not a massive fan of this
design, as it looks quite unprofessional, and un-
neat, I also think I would prefer to use a lighter
coloured background.

4. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead:
Here is one of my final experiments for my front
cover. I have edited it and then made the
whole thing black and white. The masthead is
in the font that I’ll be using for my final front
cover design, so it’ll give me more of an idea of
what my final outcome will look like. Again, I
have used Microsoft Word to produce this as
it’s quick and easy to work, so I can get the
general idea of my design. I really like the
gradient grey to white background, as I think it
creates depth and adds a something different
in comparison to a plain white background
which I think would look boring. It also helps
my model to stand out, which will help catch
the readers eye. I don’t like the monochrome
effect, as I think it looks too boring and doesn’t
let my model stand out. Also, the line around
my artists won’t be there when I create my front
cover on Photoshop.

5. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead:
Here is my final flat plan design for my front
cover. Again I have put this together on
Microsoft Word hence the grey line around my
model. When I produce this on Photoshop I will
make sure I cut her out neatly and smoothly, to
ensure it will looks as professional as possible.
Aspects that I am happy with are my gradient
style background, as I feel this creates depth &
a different ‘look’ for my magazine, and will
therefor entice my indie niche market. Since I
have edited my photo of Siob Love – the image
is bright and bold and stands out easily, which
is what I have aimed for against the plain
background. The masthead also stands out well
as it is against a white surface meaning it looks
bold and identifiable. I plan on taking colours
from Siob’s playsuit to use for the typeface for
the cover lines, so at a glance my front cover
will tie together. Also the colours on her
playsuit match the ones that were most popular
within my research, meaning that it will further
appeal to my target niche market. So, from
here I will develop this chosen design by
adding cover lines and a main cover line to
support my feature artist. I will also continue to
make any changes to my magazine that will
help it appeal further to my niche market.

6. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead:
Above, you can see the
development of my design
from the last one. This has still
been produced on Microsoft
Word – but I have begun to
add cover lines, my first one
being my main cover line. This
is the font I had chosen from
previous research.
The design on the left has been
produced quickly on Microsoft
Word, and as this was my final
design – I have recreated the
design on Photoshop, using
layers to create, so I can edit
and remove anything I want. You
can see the difference between
these two designs via the
smoothness of the image and
also the line surrounding my
model. On Photoshop I took
time to cut her out neatly and so
there wouldn’t be a harsh line
surrounding her. I have also
added in my main cover line
design – ‘Siob Love’, as this is
my artists name. I am not 100%
decided on if this is where it
should be placed, but in the
mean time I am happy to
experiment with it there.
Microsoft Word Version Photoshop Version
Above is my Photoshop
developed front cover. You can
see it looks a lot more
professional than the Word
Document. I am happy with
how my design is developing. I
now just need to add cover
lines and some colour to make
it more appealing.

7. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead/amendments:
Here you can see that although
I have tried to cut out my
model carefully on Photoshop,
by using the Lasso Tool, I have
deformed part of her arm. I
plan on placing text in this
area, which may fix this fault.
But otherwise, I will cut out my
model again to ensure I do it
properly, and this doesn’t
happen again. Or, I may also fix
this my using the eraser tool,
and buffer tool to create a
smooth and soft line.
Above, I have begun experimenting with where I would
be placing my dates. I have left a gap above my mast
head for this reason. Although, I will not be using the serif
font as it doesn’t comply with the rest of my design, but I
have just used it to place in it a way that I will get an idea
for what the rest of my front cover may look like. Being
above the masthead makes it clear to the reader how
much the magazine is etc., as people usually read left to
right, and top to bottom.

8. Front cover flat plan development of image & masthead/amendments:
Here you can see that I have edited part of the Siob’s head. I have done this to make the line
look smoother and so it isn’t so harsh against the masthead behind her. To do this, on Photoshop
I used an eraser tool combined with a feather tool on 30-38% opacity. I have done this so it
wouldn’t rub out parts of her hair completely, as creating an even harsher line if it was on 100%
opacity brush. I have also applied this technique to other parts of her body if the line is too harsh
and doesn’t look very professional, as I feel this improves the appearance of my magazine
significantly.
Microsoft Word Version Photoshop Version