Magazine cover layout- design draft

Draft Magazine Front Cover

Draft Magazine Front Cover

The image inserted below is a the draft version of my magazine cover.  This cover does not have the same appearance as my final magazine cover will have more of the key concepts found in a magazine covers layout.

I dislike the photoshop qualities such as the orange outline which developed from my inability to remove the orange background which the photo was taken on completely due to the similar coloration of my hair and the background.

Magazine design research

Magazine design research

Magazines can either have a simplistic cover style or a busy loud cover style.  The style of the cover can often suggest the type of content featured inside for example a busy magazine cover will often feature lots of large bands and they may have a more aggressive music style whereas a more simplistic style may feature less well known bands.  Here is an example of each magazine style.

Busy magazine style- KERRANG! is a popular music magazine which often features big name rock bands such as My Chemical Romance or Green day.

Magazine layout

Main features of Magazine front covers

Cover lines- Short statements found on the magazine cover which give insight to the articles within the magazine.

Left third- The left third contains the articles main features and gives insight as to what the core part of the magazine will be.

Main image- Generally shows the image or persons directly associated with the magazines main feature/story.

Masthead- The title of the magazine, usually consists of the magazines name in an easy to recognize font to attract readers.

Pug- The corners of the magazine may feature price, bar code or promotional information such as free posters.

Selling line / strapline- Introductory head line which describes the magazine.

Tag- The phrase or word which is used to engage the reader such as “exclusive”.

Top and bottom strip- Strips at the top and bottom of the magazine that give further insight to the magazines contents.

Typography- Font.

Model credit- Credits the model or subject used on the magazine cover.