The document describes the process taken to design the front cover of a heavy metal magazine called "RAGE". Key steps included: 1. Choosing a black, white, and red color scheme and "Impact" font for the masthead to convey the genre. 2. Adding coverlines about featured artists in different fonts and styles to make them stand out. 3. Adjusting layout and design elements like the masthead, coverlines, and background blur throughout the process to improve appearance and emphasis on the main image. 4. Final touches included changing colors and sizes of some elements to improve visual balance and focus on key information.

1. Front Cover
Production
Process

2. To begin the front cover process, I decided on the
masthead to be called ‘RAGE’ as this signifies heavy
metal rock. Once I decided this, I then used a black,
white and red colour scheme because from previous
research these had connotations of rock.
I used the text tool on the left in
order to create the masthead in
font ‘Impact’. I then made the
text black. I double clicked the
layer beside it and used a inner
dissolved golden glow with a red
stroke outside the text to give
the magazine a unique title.

3. I then wanted to create the strap line but make it stand out from other text. Therefore, I
decided to use the shape tool and insert a rectangle and align it at the very top of the page
and fill it black. I then used the text tool with font ‘impact’ in capital letters typed “WE
SMASH IT WITH EXTREME VOLUME!” and put it in white in order for it to stand out above
the black shape.

4. Front Cover Original Image

5. Original Picture
To create the image, I created a new layer and inserted my front cover image. Once I had
inserted the front cover image I aligned it to the middle. I decided I wanted to change
the original images background so I used the ‘blur’ tool and blurred out the background.
This symbolises my genre as it could connote rage and the artist being rebellious blurring
out time and anything that gets in her way.

6. I decided to change the masthead style so I used
a font called ‘Lucida Calligraphy’. Although I kept
the colour scheme; I decided to double click the
masthead layer and add a inner effect on the
black to make it look dissolved with a darker red
on the outside using the stroke effect. I then used
‘ctrl & T’ and adjusted the size to fit the top of the
page.

7. The next step was to start creating the coverlines. I
used text tool to create all coverlines, here I mainly
used the font ‘impact’ following the black, white
and red colour scheme. However, the two main
artists that would be featured in my magazine
‘Sian Toni’ and ‘Ashley’ in font ‘Mistral’ to make it
stand out from the rest, I used a dark red colour
using the colour tool on the left.
I then created a
dark red circle, to ensure it was the
same red as the rest I used the colour
drop tool. I then aligned the circle to
the left of the page. For all coverlines
I followed the colour scheme.

8. I used the shape tool to insert the barcode in the bottom
right corner and filled it with a basic white colour. I then
started to add additional coverlines which follow the colour
scheme. Most of them are in font ‘impact’ however ‘The
Mighty Toucan’ had a white and black stroke to make it stand
out which is just below the first coverline on the right.

9. The front cover is finally coming together as I add more coverlines and change
the title. The inserted a barcode and then added the price, issue number above
the white block. I then used the text tool and put the layer above he circle. I
made the buzzword ‘FREE’ in yellow because I wanted it to stand out.
I also changed the masthead again by adding a outer white glow with a dissolved
effect.

10. Once the coverlines were
complete, I then decided to
change the masthead again. I
decided on a font that was quite
different to others because I
wanted it to stand out. I kept the
masthead the colour black
however I used the ‘liquify’ tool
and on each letter I dragged out
the corners to make it look more
rock and rebellious. I then used
the align tool and moved it just
below strapline but made sure
that on both the left and right
side that it was near the edge.

11. On the graphic feature (the red circle) I decided to use the ‘liquify’ tool and
make the circle look spikey. I done this in order for it to look more rock and
rebellious. It also anchors in the title of the magazine. I then moved the
graphic feature more to the left so it was in line with the other coverlines.

12. When I went back and
looked at the product I
decided to make some
changes. Firstly, the
coverlines, I decided to
make the text underneath
smaller and in lowercase
caps to follow the codes
and conventions of
magazines. It also shaped
the main image better. I
changed all the coverlines
to font ‘Haettenschweiler’
using the text tool.
I also moved the graphic feature at the very top so that the main image was
centre of attention. This also helped the coverlines shape the image better.
I then just below the masthead added the date of the issue and the website for the
magazine. The font was white as it follows my colour scheme but also stands out, Using the
text tool I used font ‘Haettenschweiler’ which I also changed all my coverlines to be so it was
consistent.

13. This is my final masthead which I
changed to make it look more
professional but also connote
rock. Here I use the font ‘Arial’
with a black filling but then I
Double clicked the layer and added a red stroke to make it stand out better. In order, for my
magazine to have its own identity I used the liquify tool to add what may look like devil horns
or spikes on the ‘A’. This makes the masthead unique. I then decided to use the lasso tool and
erase tool in order to bring the artists head above the masthead to make the image stand out
more but also to put emphasis on the title.
Here I used the shape tool and added a white rectangle. I then used
text tool with font ‘Haettenschweiler’ and added a buzzword ‘Plus!’
in capitals and the colour red and then black text in lower case
underneath with more description.
This coverline anchors the main image, as the artist
on the front is what this coverline is about therefore
the font is a lot larger. I then used shape tool to add a
black triangle with opacity at 45%. This makes it stand
out without it taking away all the attention from the
other coverlines. I aligned it to the left and used ‘ctrl
& T’ in order to make it fit the coverline.

14. Once I looked over the magazine front cover, I decided I should change the colour of
the box behind ‘Sian Toni’ because the black blended too much with the colour of the
outfit the artist is wearing. Therefore, I changed it to white with 41% opacity which I
think look effective without it disturbing the other coverlines. I also decided to change
the size of the ‘PLUS!’ in the white graphic feature to the right so it stood out more but
also filled the slight white gap.

15. Finished
Product