The document describes the process of designing a magazine cover from start to finish. It discusses laying out the overall structure first with text boxes and shapes before adding specific elements like images, text, logos and barcodes. Several iterations are made, changing images, logos, colors and layouts to improve how elements are sized, positioned and designed. The goal is to create an engaging and informative cover that draws in readers and represents the magazine's identity.

1. The Sound

2. This is the first point I got to. I decided to lay out all the outsides first so I knew
what would go inside and how big it would have to be. I started with the left
third and I added the text using shapes and text boxes.

3. After I added the top and bottom strip these are important to add extra
information and draw in the readers. I used the same colours using the
eyedropper tool to keep the house style consistent.

4. Next I added the masthead to the page. This is arguably the most important
part of the cover as it shows what it is and it is part of the identity. The
masthead I created is fairly simple and doesn't look great. I also added a red
box for behind the splash.

5. Now I’ve added two images as I could see where and how big they had to be
because the layout was done. The main image needs to be good as it draws lots
of customers in when they see the feature artist. I cut out the background using
the magic wand and put in on the cover. I also added the smaller image with
supporting text which I thought looked good.

6. Next I added some effects to the main image and the pug. The effects I used
such as stroke and drop shadow make the features stand out.

7. After the effects I added the barcode, the barcode is a very important part of a
modern magazine for the customers and the owners. I added information on the
barcode such as website, issue number and date like a real magazine would.

8. At this point I added a background to the page. This makes the cover look more
interesting with the gradient rather than just a white background. I also moved
the concert reviews section up a bit as I thought it looked better there.

9. Here I added quite a bright white stroke to the main image. This made it stand
out a lot but I didn’t really look too good. I also put the name of the main artist
on the cover and edit the font to a purple style.

10. Here I changed the main image to a different angle. I changed the long shot to
more of a mid shot. I also made it bigger as the first one was a bit small and
this was better sized. In addition I added lots of effect to the main image which
isn't usual to see.

11. Here I changed the masthead a bit making it stand out more. I added a 3D
effect to really make it stand out more and I also gave it a drop shadow too.
This made the masthead stand out a lot more which is important. I also added a
yellow box for where the cover line will go.

12. Here I changed the big yellow box which was a bit boring and plain and I
changed it to two smaller boxes which the text fits better. I put the cover line as
‘Life as a worldwide superstar’ this stands out and draws people in.

13. At this point I decided to take of the main image and change it. I thought the
image was not really appropriate and didn’t look to good. I will change the
image to a different shot where the artist is facing more square on and maybe
looking more down the camera so he is interacting with the viewers.

14. This is the new image I decided to choose and I think it looks a lot better. The
artist is looking at the reader which interacts with them and it is also larger
which takes up more room as the other was a bit small. I also changed the grey
box to a red as it is part of my house style and I felt there was too many colours
on there.

15. Now I have added another picture and looks better as three is a good number of
images and that I how many I wanted. I put a circle behind the image which
made it stand out and I also put some text about the article there too. I also
changed the text supporting the main artist into a tidy little box which looks
better and more like something you would see on a magazine.

16. Here I made the text at the bottom right bigger as it needs to stand out and be
seen. I also added some more text on the left third to fill it up and I kept to the
typography using the same font but added a white stroke to make it stand out.

17. Now I had done most of the cover I was just changing little bits that I thought
could be better. I added more information to the top strip as it only had one
piece of information which made it look a bit empty which people would think
about the magazine.

18. Now I changed the bottom image as all three were mid shots which is ok bit I
thought I needed some variety. I changed it to a close up which is better as the
variety is good.