Development of front cover

        Front cover of magazine




Using the software photoshop, i have started to design my front cover of my magazine. I began by using an A4 international paper sized layer to allow the front cover to be the correct size and portrait to look official.

Next, i selected the JPEG image i wanted to use on my front cover from my desktop, dragging it into photoshop. Using the magnetic lasso tool, i selected around the area of my model, enabling only the model to be pasted on the paper sized layer. After selecting the area, i used the edit, copy and edit, paste tool onto the layer and used the 'adjustment' tool to resize the JPEG to the correct scale. Although, i kept the 'shift' key down to prevent the image from being stretched or disorientated. I repeated this process with a few JPEG images from the shoot, which i liked best to see which image would work well, as a front cover of a fashion magazine. So, in regard to pose and facial expression, with the type of shot the image is ( close up/ mid shot).

After deciding which image i was going to use, i then moved onto experimenting with the background colour and adding filters to the image to see if it added a positive affect,  such as adding a 'black and white filter' to the image and selecting dark and light background colours using the 'fill tool', until i came to the conclusion of the colours that worked and contrasted best. In my opinion, the image looked best in colour, rather than black and white. Therefore, i removed the black and white layer. As for the background colour i chose a light turquiose green, as it is bright and suits the female gender i am targeting my product to. Plus, it enables the text on the front cover to stand out and contrast.

Afterwards, i moved onto adding typography to the front cover, considering, sell lines and organisation of where the text should be to prevent it from taking the main focus away from the main image. Using the website, 'Dafont', i downloaded a few styles of font to photoshop that would work well with the theme of my magazine ( fashion). So, in this case, i wasn't using fonts that already existed on the software of Photoshop. The main styles of font i downloaded, were, 'Fashion Victim',which was a cursive font and quite creative. In addition, i also downloaded the font, 'Aeroplanes in the night sky' and 'Long shot'. These enabled me to include a variety of different styles of typography. Representing experimentation. The colours used for the typography on the front page, are bold and deep. The reason for this is because my background colour behind the main image is light. So textures and a shift in colour is made.

The name of my magazine is 'Essence'. I chose this title because of it's definition behind it and because i want my magazine to be abstract and unique. Therefore, i have used bold typography is a large font, in order for the audience to recognise this is the magazine Title. The language i have included in my front cover is very persuasive and catchy. For instance, i have used alteration, emotive language, metaphors and emphasis, in order to persuade the audience to read the magazine. When creating quotes and bits of text, i considered my target audience and how the phrases will engage them. Some examples of language i have used are, 'Take a taste' and 'i live and breathe fashion', which is a form of alliteration. Moreover, 'The North East's biggest fashion show yet', this represents emphasis to persuade and engage my target audience.

Next, the layout of my magazine is organised and reflects an official fashion magazine. I have thought about placing text in the correct places, so it does not take over the main image from capturing the audience's attention. So, in this case, i have not included text to the left side of the page. This is because the main image is not centred, with it being a close up and i want this to be the main feature of the cover, as it's important. The model is featured in the magazine and therefore, the main image gives an indication of this. The idea of text only being on the right, leaves the cover looking spacious, rather than overcrowded. However, i have placed a puff at the bottom left of the page, to prevent it from looking bare.

Finally, i have thought about magazine convention when designing the front cover. Using a banner at the bottom of the page, to advertise the features within the magazine. As well as a puff as another form of advertisement. A logo, to identity the magazine. I plan to use this throughout my magazine pages to relate back to the brand of magazine. As this feature is how the audience recognise it.

Another convention i included was a date, issue number, price, barcode and web address. These are standard features of most magazines and are included to look official and professional. I placed the barcode in the right hand corner of the page, as it should not take over the sell lines and text on the page, seen as though it isn't as important. The other features such as date, web address, issue and price are in small text, for the same reason. The price is in British pounds, as it is a regional magazine in the UK.

Overall, i am pleased with the outcome of my front cover and will present my initial ideas in the header 'drafts'. Here, i will discuss why i changed particular features and how. I feel i have included the magazine conventions to the best of my ability in an organised layout. Using an image that is a close up, different styles of text, both upper case and lower case. as well as standard features of a front cover. Lastly, i have recognised what a good layout looks like in a magazine, from taking inspiration from official magazines. As well as linking the features to the theme of my magazine being fashion.