This document summarizes the development process of creating a magazine front cover. Key steps included selecting a focal photograph of a model, editing the photo to highlight orange lipstick as the only color, creating a masthead using fonts from dafont.com, adding headlines and text overlays, experimenting with different font styles and colors to develop a consistent house style, and adding additional graphic elements like plugs and awards information to attract readers. An alternate cover was less successful due to mistakes and a lack of consistent style.

1. This is a presentation showing the development of creating my magazine front cover.

2. I began my front cover with this photograph because the medium close up is a very conventional shot for a music magazine, and also the pose is effective (the slight lean and facial expressions convey attitude and confidence which are essential no cover photographs). The denim jacket is the focal point of the photograph which reflects the style of my genre of music and the orange lipstick is fashionable and edgy. First I used the magnetic selection tool to copy only the model’s lips and copy them onto a new layer on top of the image. I then changed the saturation of the photograph to make it almost black and white, giving the photograph the effect that only her lips are orange, which adds a twist of colour and interest to the photo and also will make it easier to establish colours of a house style. I airbrushed her face to make it slightly more flawless, which is conventional as all magazines do this. In the third photograph, I increased the saturation slightly as I think it looked too ‘black and white’. I then used a font from ‘dafont.com’ and used selection tools to select only the letters which appeared on the print screen to make a masthead. I inserted some text to make a headline. I superimposed the model on top of the masthead, which I think looks very professional.

3. Here, I changed my Masthead by adding another font from dafont.com onto the lower one to create the chaotic look. I like the cracked graphics of this font for the mast head as it connotates rebellion and mystery, which can often come across in musicians media. I added the + sign so that I could include my straplines hinting at inside articles underneath this. It works well with the boldness of the masthead. I removed the colour from the model’s lips as I wasn’t sure if this was effective.

4. I used small, black font to write the date of edition and price underneath the masthead as it fits conventions to have it unnoticeable, yet it is an essential part of a cover. I used different styles and colours of fonts for the main masthead. The bold orange Giselle is the focal point, and suggests that she is well known and important (which would be the case in my magazine). The white writing underneath is effective I think, and I tried to reflect the type of language often used in magazines. The white splash across the bottom tied in with the white font well and creates a consistent house style. I will use this to add plugs / quotes etc.

5. I used an italic, funky style font for the slogan ‘music magazine amplified’. I think this is effective as it included language linked with music but also suggests that this isn’t an ordinary magazine; it is better. I added strap lines in orange and black fonts to tie in with the house style and used established and popular acts to draw in the reader using the audience gratification theory (they will benefit from the interest of reading these articles). The circle plug at the bottom was created using a simple shape tool, then I added purple and white text to fit into the house style. I used a tool to slant the text diagonally, adding different dimensions to the cover. The ‘WIN’ would attract audience attention and suggest that they benefit from buying the magazine. The prize of festival tickets shows my awareness of my genre and audience. I added a barcode by copying one from the internet, and plugs of the names of popular bands, and ‘let the battles begin!’ creates curiosity, as does the mention of an awards ceremony.

6. I used the same fonts on Serif Photo Plus to finish my strap lines of the articles inside, and an orange arrow with small, black font similar to the masthead saying ‘PLUS’. This suggests that there is much more inside the magazine.

7. This is an alternate cover I made of my magazine. I think this looks much less professional and effective due to some mistakes during editing, the lack of a consistent house style and general overall effect. I think it is important to experiment with different looks, though. I am 100% certain that using the first cover is the right decision!!!