The document summarizes what was learned from the preliminary magazine cover design task. It contrasts key differences between the preliminary and coursework designs. The coursework design improved upon the preliminary by using a bold masthead in a high-contrast color, placing most information in the left third for visibility, using brighter colors for coverlines to catch the eye, and adjusting the barcode to blend without looking tacky.

1. Looking back at your Preliminary
task, what do you feel you have
learned?
Contrast between the two:

2. Masthead is not very bold
and the colour does not
Preliminary stand out on the green
background
A slogan for this
magazine has been
used which is quite
The main cover story conventional to the
is not in a different school genre.
font style or colour. It
blends in with the
other coverlines This image used has
not been edited. It
looks quite dull in
Coursework
colour and would Masthead is big and
Barely any use of not be appealing to A strapline has been used along the top
bold. The fact that it
the left-third has the target of the magazine. This is conventional to
is black in colour
been used. This is audience. the RnB/Hip Hop genre.
stands out on the
where the majority
white background. I
of the information
A good use of the left learnt from my
should be placed.
third: majority of preliminary task
coverlines are placed that having a plain
This barcode does not here. If the magazine is background was
blend and it is very placed on a shelf in a easier to work with
large which makes it Coverlines don’t really stand out due
to the dull colours used. The shop this is the side the
look tacky and audience see first!
unprofessional. background of the image effects this.
However, the colours used relate to Issue number, along
the clothing/badges of the model. with a date and
Coverlines stand out
price has been used
because bright
which is a crucial
colours have been
element to all
used which catch
Things learnt: the viewers’ eye.
magazines.
• A white background looks more aesthetically pleasing The colours used are This barcode has no
and it is easier to work with also in the background which
• The masthead needs to stand out and draw the clothing/makeup of allows it to blend with
the artist. the image. This
audience’s attention. The cover story is placed at prevents it from
• The cover story is usually in a different font style and the bottom away from any standing out too much
size so that it stands out from the other coverlines other coverlines. It stands which it isn’t supposed
• There is always an Issue number on the cover out due to it being different The image used has been edited due to to. This barcode is
• There is always a date on the cover in font style and size. the brightness/contrast. However this tilted up the other way
• There is always a price on the cover However, the same colour relates to the genre of RnB/Hip Hop as which is more
scheme has been used. Red conventional of
• Doing this coursework has given me a better is used to portray danger.
the editing emphasis’ the artist’s
makeup; making it look brighter and magazines which
understanding of how to use Photoshop makes it look
bolder.