by Eugénie Besson
Media Studies Blog
COVER
The slideshow below, corresponds to the steps taken for the final creation of the front cover.
All the changes and different versions of the layout are noticeable, in order to have at the end a result which correspond to both of mine and the audience's expectations.
Final
You may click on the pictures in order to have a closer look of the details of the layout design.
My main guideline on choosing the picture is to not have a the model taking the whole place in the frame, as a conventional fashion magazine, but to have a more artistic result to follow the genre of my prototype.
On the final picture chosen, the model does an eye contact with the viewer as a direct address inviting the viewer in. Her position in movement and the wind messing up her hair matches with the "R" fluidity features of the masthead.
Moreover the image has only 3 main colors (red,black,blue), in order to have a more aesthetic and minimalist product I wanted to obtain, but this bright result is also eye-catching which entice the readers to buy it. As well as the blue sky as a background makes the masthead and the byline able to stand out.
In contrast of my initial choice, I didn't add some white border to the cover, I wasn't satisfied with the effect it gave. It unable the picture to stand out properly and brought to many elements to the simple design layout I wanted.
I decided to place the masthead in the upper middle of the cover to have a more straightforward and symmetrical result which creates a bigger impact on the audience. Furthermore, it stands out efficiently by being above the model contrasting the blue sky.
The choice to keep the masthead black follows the simplest result I wished, and matches with the model's dark hair and top.
The tagline is displayed along the right hand side of the magazine. It relates to the image's article which linked the picture. It will intrigue the readers to see what the magazine has to offer.
I wanted to add a quote on the cover for appealing the readers and make them think, reflect on it.
The choice of the color, size and placement depended on the idea to not disturb much the picture and to have a refined result.
The number of the issue and the year appear next to the tagline and will be presents in every issues. It is a main convention of any magazine as it gives significant information to potential buyers.
They are however strategically placed as much out eye shot as possible. It is important that they are still visible for the consumers yet do not take the readers attention away from the image and the masthead.
This also explain my choice on putting the bar code in the back of the magazine. It highlights moreover, the non-conventions of commercial magazines.