The document describes the process of designing a magazine cover to resemble Empire magazine and promote a fictional film. Key steps included: 1. Adding a gradient background and main character image. 2. Incorporating Empire magazine conventions like placing the title behind the character and using matching fonts/colors. 3. Adding additional articles and adjusting text colors so they were visible. 4. Including standard magazine cover elements like the film title and taglines to complete the design.

1. To start off with we used aa
To start off with we used
gradient background so we
gradient background so we
could see that we had erased
could see that we had erased
everything correctly and left no
everything correctly and left no
odd marks when using the
odd marks when using the
eraser tool.
eraser tool.

2. We then added in our main
We then added in our main
picture of the actor so we could
picture of the actor so we could
then move everything in
then move everything in
accordance to where the title
accordance to where the title
and other text would go.
and other text would go.

3. We then set about putting in
We then set about putting in
the conventions of Empire
the conventions of Empire
magazine. This included putting
magazine. This included putting
the title being placed behind
the title being placed behind
the image of the main
the image of the main
character which is also aa
character which is also
convention for Empire. The
convention for Empire. The
font and size used also match
font and size used also match
the conventions along with the
the conventions along with the
colour.
colour.

4. Next we added in the other
Next we added in the other
articles. We had to change the
articles. We had to change the
text from white to red so that it
text from white to red so that it
would show up over James’ hand
would show up over James’ hand
but it works well with the colour
but it works well with the colour
scheme of the magazine as most
scheme of the magazine as most
text on the front of empire is
text on the front of empire is
white, black or red.
white, black or red.

5. We then added the second piece
We then added the second piece
of article text. We initially thought
of article text. We initially thought
it would work in the right hand
it would work in the right hand
side bit we then decided on left
side bit we then decided on left
hand side as there was more space
hand side as there was more space
plus we also thought that your
plus we also thought that your
eyes would be drawn to the end of
eyes would be drawn to the end of
the gun and therefore see any text
the gun and therefore see any text
placed underneath it.
placed underneath it.

6. Then we added in the title to our film.
Then we added in the title to our film.
The first thought was to keep it straight
The first thought was to keep it straight
and on aaright angle but then we
and on right angle but then we
decided to slant it so that we could fit
decided to slant it so that we could fit
in more text around it. We also
in more text around it. We also
increased the transparency so that we
increased the transparency so that we
could get some sort of idea about the
could get some sort of idea about the
type of genre our film is and this
type of genre our film is and this
transparency portrays this idea of being
transparency portrays this idea of being
slick and smart. This is aaconvention
slick and smart. This is convention
that the magazine takes so that the
that the magazine takes so that the
title can be seen but it doesn’t obscure
title can be seen but it doesn’t obscure
anything on the page along with reflect
anything on the page along with reflect
the film it is representing.
the film it is representing.

7. We added aavariation of the catch phrase but also aa
We added variation of the catch phrase but also
pun that tends to be the standard convention for
pun that tends to be the standard convention for
Empire when they talk about aafilm on the front
Empire when they talk about film on the front
cover.
cover.

8. Next we added another feature usually
Next we added another feature usually
displayed in aashape on the cover. This
displayed in shape on the cover. This
shape has been used to draw attention
shape has been used to draw attention
to aafeatured article within the
to featured article within the
magazine. We also made it red to keep
magazine. We also made it red to keep
with the style of Empire magazine so
with the style of Empire magazine so
that it wouldn’t seem too intrusive
that it wouldn’t seem too intrusive
when on the cover.
when on the cover.

9. We then added in the text to the
We then added in the text to the
circle to complete the little sub-
circle to complete the little sub-
article. We decided to use two
article. We decided to use two
different colours as this seems to be
different colours as this seems to be
aaconvention of the these smaller
convention of the these smaller
articles to very in colour whilst still
articles to very in colour whilst still
remaining within the colours used
remaining within the colours used
on the cover.
on the cover.

10. Next we realized that the bottom
Next we realized that the bottom
of the page seemed aabit empty
of the page seemed bit empty
and when referring back to our
and when referring back to our
research material it seemed that
research material it seemed that
most covers have even more
most covers have even more
articles advertised on the bottom.
articles advertised on the bottom.
We still stuck to the current colour
We still stuck to the current colour
scheme but we felt that it just
scheme but we felt that it just
didn’t look the way that we
didn’t look the way that we
wanted to.
wanted to.

11. So we decided to place aa
So we decided to place
red box behind the text to
red box behind the text to
make it not only stand out
make it not only stand out
but make sure that you
but make sure that you
could see it against the
could see it against the
background.
background.

12. Next was the tag line which goes along
Next was the tag line which goes along
the top of Empire magazine. We
the top of Empire magazine. We
thought that since our film is focused on
thought that since our film is focused on
action we should also make the
action we should also make the
magazine be an issue devoted to the
magazine be an issue devoted to the
action genre. We also decided to make
action genre. We also decided to make
the word action stand out to make sure
the word action stand out to make sure
people would be able to see it and
people would be able to see it and
immediately set the tone for the entire
immediately set the tone for the entire
magazine.
magazine.

13. Then it was aacase of adding
Then it was case of adding
in the date and title at the
in the date and title at the
top of the image. The
top of the image. The
magazine convention is for
magazine convention is for
it to be placed in the dip in
it to be placed in the dip in
the “M”.
the “M”.

14. Finally and probably most
Finally and probably most
importantly we placed in
importantly we placed in
the background of aa
the background of
warehouse to fit in with
warehouse to fit in with
our trailer. We felt it was
our trailer. We felt it was
necessary as opposed to
necessary as opposed to
having aaplain background
having plain background
as it filled more of the
as it filled more of the
page and seemed more
page and seemed more
interesting.
interesting.