Cover Design Research

For this post, I looked into three design programs for making my magazine cover. From there, I found two cover examples that was created using this program as well as sharing where I found them and what I like about the covers. Next, I discussed the pros and cons for each of these programs. Lastly, I chose the program I want to use to create my magazine cover and explained why I selected the one I did. In the end, this blog post aloud me to get a better understanding of what I am planning to do for the cover of my magazine.

Program 1: Photoshop

Cover example created using Photoshop:

I found this cover using the YouTube video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is92YfMMPBQ

- This video showed step by step how to create a magazine cover using photoshop.

I like this cover because the clothing the model is wearing matches the color is the background. Moreover, the model is seen at eye level staring straight into the camera. This creates a strong look that also represents a scene of equality among those looking the magazine and the model. The magazine also includes a cover-line in red, allow that particular cover-line to stand out. This is something I will consider doing in my fashion magazine for my main cover-line to help it be more distinct. I also admire how all the words on the masthead, main cover line and cover line are large, making it easier to read as well as how the masthead is in a Serif font.

Cover example created using Photoshop:

I found the cover using the Youtube video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9L2NI-dO0

- This video also shows step by step how to create a magazine cover using photoshop.

I like this cover because the masthead along with a couple of cover-lines are bright red. There is another cover-line that is bright yellow. These colors contrast well with the grey background, as they pop out. They also contrast well with the man's suit which is simple allowing the bright lettering to not be too distracting. The model not only wears a suit but appears to be clean shaven, making this magazine seem more professional and high end. While there are a lot of cover-lines, the model in the photo is illuminated by a light by his head so the model s still the point of focus. Finally, I'm really fond of how the font varies for almost all the words displayed on the cover as well as how the masthead is in a Serif font.

I am familiar with Photoshop as I have used this program in this Media Studies class to create composite images. A con in this app is that it is difficult for me to understand the tools and how to use them. However, a pro is that this app creates professional and bold looking covers when used correctly. While previously using Photoshop, I used YouTube videos as well as articles to follow in creating composite images which helped me understand the program better. After seeing what Photoshops fashions magazines offer, I will continue to use these resources to improve my Photoshop skills as well as learn new things and challenge myself.

Link to the main video I used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnSAnAolpmI

- This source helped me understand the different tools in the app and how to use them

Article Link:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/image-resizing-basics.html?playlistPath=/services/playlist.helpx/products:SG_PHOTOSHOP_1_1/learn-path:get-started/set-header:ccx-designer/playlist:ccl-get-started-1/en_us.json

- This article is from Adobe and helped me understand step by step how to use certain tools

Program 2: Canva

Cover example created using Canva:

I found this cover using the magazine templates on Canva. I then chose the fashion covers that stood out most to me:

https://www.canva.com/templates/?query=magazine

I really like this cover because of the similar aspects I want to include in my magazine. For example, I love the low angle used, giving the photo a powerful feeling. I also like the sky behind the model as it is really tapping into the summer feeling of this magazine. Similar enough, I wanted to utilize the sky as well as I plan for my fashion magazine to also tap into the spring/summer feeling. The lighting is bright, helping the lighten up the models outfit. I also noticed how there were few coverlines on the cover. This aspect helped draw more attention to the image and not make the cover appear too busy. I also like how the masthead is in a Serif font.

Cover example created using Canva:

I found this cover using the magazine templates on Canva. I then chose the fashion covers that stood out most to me:

https://www.canva.com/templates/?query=magazine

I like this cover because of the "fresh look" it provides. By this I mean that the models hair is in a pulled back bun and her face is glowing. Likewise, the models hands, fingers, and ears do not contain jewelry on them. All of these aspects made the magazine appear clean and sleek. Similar to the other cover previously mentioned using Canva, there are few cover-lines drawing more attention to the image presented, While the color of the text on this page is plain, I like how these colors match the colors of the image instead of being plain white. I also like the Serif font used for the masthead.

I am familiar with Canva as I have utilized this app to complete a wide variety of school projects throughout middle school and now in high school. The pros of this app is that is it relatively simple to use. There are also a wide range of templates already set up and ready to use but you also have to option to customize templates. A con in this app is how this program does not appear to have as many tools as Photoshop, which may make the magazine not look as professional as a real magazine. This can be due to how without certain tools there are details that cannot be used. Moving on, I did not find/use helpful tutorials for this program to follow. This is because I have had experience navigating through this app. I will, however, challenge myself to learn some new things on the app to further improve and strengthen my magazine cover.

Program 3: Visme

Cover example created using Visme:

Using Visme's magazine templates, I discovered this cover. I then selected the fashion covers that caught my eye the most:

https://www.visme.co/templates/magazine-covers/

I like this cover because the stylistic features are different than most of the magazines I came across while doing my research. This is due to how the whole cover is covered in a bright blue filter except for the middle. This bright filter really catches my eye and I think that if I used bold colors like this then it will catch other people's eyes. In the middle there is a square cutout showing the actual color of the model and the clothes she is wearing. I also like how it says "Spring Style" because as mentioned before, I am planning for my magazine to focus on spring/summer. The last thing that I liked in this cover was how the models face is not shown and the photo focuses on the outfit more. This is something I will keep in mind for my magazine, not cutting off and not showing the face of the model, but putting more emphasis on the outfit so that the models face doesn't take away from the rest of the cover. Lastly, I liked the lack of words shown, there seems to be almost no cover-lines.

Cover example created using Visme:

Using Visme's magazine templates, I discovered this cover. I then selected the fashion covers that caught my eye the most: https://www.visme.co/templates/magazine-covers/

The main reason I liked this cover was how there are more than one model on the cover, which is unlike the other magazines I found doing this post. I also admire the diversity of models which provides representation among the people reading this. I like the contrast in the white top the female model is wearing to the darker top the male model is wearing. These colors match with the colors used throughout the rest of this cover. As mentioned in other magazine covers, I liked the simplicity of the magazine without having too many cover lines taking away from the picture.

I am not familiar with Visme, but a pro of this app is that there are many templates to choose from and the app seems relatively easy to use. A con in this program is that you can't easily customize you own templates and the templates provided are relatively simple. This is unfortunate as my choices would be limited and the cover would appear less professional. Due to how I didn't know how to use this program, I found a video online to help me understand. I do not think I will challenge myself to further understand how to use this app because out of all the apps I researched in this blog post, this one is my least favorite.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAtH1LcD3_E

- This video is posted from the Visme Youtube channel. It explains some tips and tricks in creating a digital magazine on this app.

The program I want to use: In the end, my favorite program is Canva and I will probably use this app for my magazine cover. I chose this for many reasons, one being how I already know how to use it. This is important because I will know my way around the app, being able to utilize most of tools provided to create an advanced cover. Due to how I am unfamiliar with Visme and not a hundred precent clear on Photoshop, I may not be able to utilize the tools these apps offer correctly and effectively. This is because I don't know how to use them properly and navigate through the app easily. When compared to Visme which makes it difficult to customize your own templates, Canva makes it easier to create personalized templates that look more professional than Visme.