Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The first thing people see when they’re looking at your magazine is the cover. If it
speaks to them, hands down, they’ll buy it. However, a great cover design will not
only help you sell it easier, but it will also make readers curious and invite them to
explore the entire magazine
And yes, you also need to follow some practices and use certain elements when
designing a magazine cover, but there are many different approaches. No matter what,
it’s important to have all the cover design elements work together like a dream. So
before we get into more details about how to design a magazine cover, you firstly need
to know the fundamental elements.
Below, there’s a cover from the pioneer of magazine covers – Vogue. We’ll use it as
terminology to see what elements a magazine cover design should contain
Here are the essential elements of a magazine cover design:
• Masthead
• Issue and dateline
• Main image
• Lead article
• Supporting cover lines
• Bar code
Let’s take them one by one and get into more details.
Masthead
Of course, we have to start with the most important one. The masthead
represents the name of the publication and is the most crucial aspect of your magazine
cover design. Professionally designed magazine covers make the mast head stand out
besides the other elements. Therefore, it’s good practice to set it right in the center and
make it as big as possible. It will also help people to recognize your magazine among
all the others.
So follow what magazine designers do and use a big and bold font for the masthead.
Also, don’t forget that the masthead’s color has a crucial role in making it pop even
more. Therefore, it’s helpful to adapt the title’s color to match the image and theme
you’ll use on the front cover.
This section contains the date, month, year, and issue number of the publication.
Some magazines, like Vogue, only specify the month and year as they only publish
one issue for each month. And usually, some magazines also add the price in this
section.
Main image
Lead article
The lead article reflects the central issue of a magazine. Maybe an interview
with an artist, an expert on a subject, and the list can go on. It’s recommended to use a
different font for the lead article to let the readers know the issue’s theme and main
story.
The supporting cover lines are topics that can revolve around the same theme or
simply be completely different subjects. When it comes to placing them on the
magazine’s cover, the key is balance. Try to make them clear, short, and concise.
Also, go for a more subtle font and choose a smaller size to avoid distracting the
reader from the main attractions.
Bar code
Most of the time, the bar code area is made by the printing house you
collaborate with, but it’s helpful to plan and have it in mind when designing the cover.
Try to leave a little space for the bar code in some part of the corner area. Maybe you
also noticed that they add the price above the bar code in some magazines, but it’s not
a mandatory option. You can decide what works best for your cover and even change
the place in other issues.
And now, without further ado, let’s dive into the most exciting part!
How to design a magazine
A stunning magazine cover design will help you sell it – exclamation point. To be
honest, I think this is every publisher’s dream – to see people love their magazine’s
visuals and content so much that they choose to buy it. And therefore, to keep
supporting them, especially today when you can find content about literally anything,
for free.
But if you want to know the rules that will make people buy your magazine, then keep
on reading!
Here are 10 golden rules of magazine cover design:
Therefore, the overall layout of the magazine cover should be organized around your
magazine’s name. One rule that all professional designers follow is to make the
magazine’s name the most prominent feature of the cover. So make it big, bold, and as
visible as possible.
And speaking of visible titles, take a look at the image below. Do you see how the
flower crown hides quite a few letters from the title, but you can still figure out that
it’s a Vogue cover? Starting from the image, font styles, colors, and layout design –
everything screams – “Vogue.”
However, Vogue became such a big brand because of the recognizable elements they
share on all their platforms – website, social media accounts, printed magazines, etc.
Yes, it takes some time and learning to build a brand, but it’s so worth it as people will
instantly recognize your magazine’s personality reflected on all your communication
channels.
This is a great idea, especially when you have a celebrity on your cover magazine like
Beyonce, for instance.
But don’t forget to give your masthead a color that best represents your brand. Or, you
can always switch according to the image you’re going to use on the cover. This
mainly depends on the topic of your magazine as changing colors is really useful for
fashion magazines. However, it may not be a good idea for an environmental,
documentary-style magazine as most of the time, these types of magazines are the
epitome of consistency.
But when you want to learn how to design a magazine cover with a title that will
remain in people’s minds, it’s always a good idea to get inspiration from others. So,
take a look at the placement, font styles, and colors in the examples below.
The next thing you should have in mind when designing your cover magazine is
to choose a template that you’ll also use in the following issues of your magazine. If
you wonder why let me tell you this: Consistency is key! And keeping the same cover
template for your following magazine issues helps your readers get used to your
specific magazine layout and easily recognize it.
And most big brands do this! They mainly change the image cover, keep the name in
the same place, and only adapt the colors to match the image. It’s like a proven good
practice that works wonders.
Still, consistency doesn’t mean every issue of your magazine should look exactly the
same. That would be boring! In fact, each issue should look different from the
previous one to ensure readers know you released a new issue. For the same purpose,
you should add the date and the price on the cover.
If you’re not quite sure how to create a cover magazine template, you can always take
inspiration from Flipsnack. We have a vast collection of magazine templates that make
the whole design process smoother. Also, our online Design Studio tool is super
intuitive, so if you don’t necessarily consider yourself a skillful designer, great, you
just found the perfect solution! I’ll tell you more about how to design a magazine
cover in Flipsnack in the following paragraphs of this article.
And for a brief history time, take a look at how Vogue covers evolved over the years.
Still, do you notice the brand consistency? It’s one of the critical elements that kept
the magazine super recognizable. So try to be as consistent as possible. It’s
challenging to think about the future when you’re just getting started. But try to
envision how your publication will look in a year from now and even 2 years from
now. And only afterward come up with a template that will pass the test of time.
Because now you know how much a template can help you make the magazine
cover design, you also have to keep in mind using those grids and layouts! It will
allow you to organize and align your design elements to make your magazine cover
look neat and professional.
Grids and layouts are helpful, especially when you plan to print the magazine.
Professional designers and print studios use them to know exactly where the safe
margins are and where the printed pages of the magazine should be cut.
But no worries. Flipnack’s templates already follow a specific grid style. Our
designers already did the legwork for you, so you don’t necessarily have to think of
this step separately. The only things you have to do are choose your favorite template,
change the texts and images, and basically, that’s it. From this point, you just
download your magazine as a PDF and hand it over to a print studio.
Below you can see how our designers placed each element using grids for having
some safe margins.
Those red guidelines help the magazine cover design be impactful and obtain that
professional look. So try to balance your magazine cover design elements and keep in
mind to leave some safe margins for the printing process.
Anyways, it’s essential to start the magazine’s design with a focus point.
Whenever you want to design a magazine cover, you have to begin with the
purpose in mind. So, depending on the subject – fashion, nature, cooking, business,
etc. pick one and build everything else around it.
For instance, fashion magazines usually feature models as the cover’s focus point, but
you can use an object or a headline. Anyways, if you’re reading this article, you
probably already figured out what subject you are going for.
Still, one crucial thing is to make sure that your subject is best reflected in your cover
design. As I previously mentioned, your magazine cover design should best reveal the
content within the magazine and hook the reader into making them so curious they
choose to buy it.
Do you want to talk about fashion? Or do you have a significant lead article with an
interview with a celebrity you want to feature? Choose the focus point and try to build
the entire cover design starting from there. If the portrait of the celebrity is your key
element, then let the image stand out and only mention brief details about the other
articles you feature. Figure out when not to use that much text and when it’s okay to
give more information to your audience.
As you already know, font styles play a significant role in how a magazine
cover looks – they can either instantly attract attention or not get anything at all. So,
yes, that’s how much relevance they have.
And even though most magazine covers feature the headlines of the most important
stories on the cover, using suitable font pairings can make a big difference in how the
audience will perceive them.
Accentuate the stories and articles you want to catch the most attention and make the
others more subtle.
For instance, take inspiration from the Kate Moss Vogue cover. Of course, the portrait
of the well-known model is the main attraction, but the combination of colors – pink,
yellow, and white – beautifully complements the photography. Also, notice that some
fonts are bold, while others are not, and some have serif fonts, and others are kept
simple and clean. Combining font styles can help you balance out the magazine cover
design.
Learn from the professionals and use fonts in bolds, italics, different sizes, and colors.
Likewise, you should pay attention to what words you are using and how these can
impact the reader’s attention.
6. Emphasize powerful words
I told you in the beginning that the primary purpose of the magazine cover
design is to sell the stories inside. So what better way to do that if not through
emphasizing powerful words? The short teasers reflected through sub-headings are the
elements that can trigger the reader’s curiosity.
So don’t neglect the value of using specific words that usually appear in headlines.
After a short glance at some headlines, I noticed that the most used words that quickly
catch attention are: “Now,” “Free,” “Gifts,” and “Exclusive.” I encourage you to
emphasize them because they prove to do the work.
You’ll see this practice used in a lot of fashion magazines. And even graphic design
experts emphasize these words by adding a 3D effect or playing with backgrounds to
make them pop more. Using powerful words increases your chances of having a
perfect magazine cover that will easily sell itself.
And remember that people buy first emotionally. So use words that people will feel
connected with and instantly draw them to buy your magazine. Colors also play a huge
role in this process.
7. Infuse your magazine cover design with a healthy dose of color & contrast
When it comes to selecting colors, never choose randomly. Yes, you first have
to decide the image you’re going to use, and starting from that point, infuse the overall
cover design with pops of colors to make it stand out.
Take a look at this Marie Claire cover design. It has an orange-toned text contrasting
the multiple shades of blue in the photography and background. And with the help of
Amy Adams’ copper hair, the contrast works even better. You can also think about
coordinating colors for a chic look (copy a color from the photo and use it on different
elements from your cover page).
It doesn’t matter that much which color you choose to be the dominant color.
However, green is the least used color on cover pages, while red is the most used. So
try to use contrast colors to highlight certain elements like the title, model, or headline.
However, pick the colors on purpose as they will affect the overall feeling of your
magazine cover. And either if you go for contrast colors between the image and texts
or choose to use complementary colors, mix and match until you’re satisfied with the
final result.
Below is another example of how much impact a healthy dose of color has. The two
Wired covers differ, from the brand’s name color to the images and texts. So get as
creative as you can within the limitations of your brand. If your creative direction
allows you to change the colors of your logo to match the overall design cover, then
go for it!
However, when you have a person’s portrait on the cover of your magazine – be it a
celebrity or not, eye contact is a MUST as the audience can make a deeper connection
with the subject.
You might say that it’s easy to do this when your brand is known worldwide but quite
challenging when you’re just at the very beginning. And you couldn’t be more right.
But it’s always useful to follow the best practices most brands do and who knows,
maybe your magazine will be famous one day too. At least that’s the plan, right? So
hit for the stars, my friend!
If your magazine is about fashion, hire models. Or interview people with authority in a
specific field. You don’t need Beyonce to have success; you need great content.
Remember that without a good story, your magazine is effed.
Busy backgrounds can dilute the message you’re trying to tell your readers. So keep
the magazine cover elements pretty organized to achieve a professional look. It’s also
recommended that the model on the cover is on a transparent or solid color
background, as it will be easier to make the headlines stand out a bit more.
TO FIND OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COVER PAGES ON
MAGAZINE
The front cover of any magazine is the most crucial part to selling a magazine
brand. The front cover of a music magazine has to appeal to their audience and follow
the type of genre of the previous issues. The front covers usually present an artist from
the music industry, different types of genres will show an artist that relates to the
genre of the magazine, for example a hip-hop magazine will show an image of a hip-
hop artist as the main image of the front cover.
Each new issue of a music magazine has to be different, from the previous, however
still recognisable to their audience. The magazine logo will remain exactly the same,
in position and size, however the colour scheme may alter due to the featured artist or
theme. This occurs to make the magazine seem new and fresh to their audience. So
what conventions make a magazine successful and appeal to a certain audience ?
The main image is the most important image of the whole magazine, as it
attracts and draws the attention of the reader. The main image should be centred, so
there is room for tag and sell lines. It is usually and image of an artist, usually from the
waist and up. The main image should relate to the main article of the magazine. The
image should usually fill up most of the the page and used as a background for the
text. The image should follow a colour scheme, as this makes the front cover eye
catching and attracts the audience to read the magazine. The quality of the main image
should be high as it makes the magazine front cover appear professional and official.
The artist will usually be looking into the camera, as it creates eye contact with the
audience. The artist is usually very famous and will have a story dedicated to them in
the magazine. The artist must be current with in the music scene as it will, offer as
better story, which will attract the reader.
The mast head is usually located at the top of the magazine, because of the 'Z'
rule. As the masthead/title is the main title of the magazine, it is the first thing the
audience will read, this is important as the mast head suggests the genre of the
magazine and what articles will shall be featured . The masthead needs to be presented
in a way that makes it stand out from the other competitors on the shelves. The
masthead needs to be unique, and familiar so it is recognisable to the regular audience.
Mastheads differ from a range of font styles and colours, to portray the type of
magazine they are selling, whether it be a fashion magazine, music magazine, or
gossip magazine.
Music magazines differ in font styles as there are different types of genres of music
magazine. Where as fashion magazines and gossip magazines have similar font styles,
as they convey a certain genre. Fashion magazines use a sleek and sophisticated font
style, such as Vogue and Company magazine.
The masthead is the largest font on the front cover to show that it is the main title of
the magazine. The masthead must be easy to read and understand. A magazine should
have a catchy masthead, in order for the audience to remember and recognise the
magazine. Magazines usually have a one-word title/masthead, as it again, is easy to
remember, and stands out as it attracts the audience. One-word mastheads are effective
as the audience is more likely to remember a single title rather than a long detailed
title.
The importance of a Logo.
All music magazines and other magazines types, possess a unique logo. Logos
are important as they enable the audience to identify the magazine. Logos ensure that
the audience can easily notice the magazine by the logo. The distribution of the logo
on the front cover is important and should stay in the same location in new issues, as it
makes the magazine more recognisable when in stores. The logo is an extremely
important aspect of business branding. As it is the company's statement graphic
representation. Essentially the logo is the first thing a reader notices, before reading
any further text, this is why the logo should demand the attention of the audience.
Logos are used to help the company have identity, as the primary functions of a logo
are to inspire recognition of the brand. The logo has to be memorable and timeless,
and favoured by the audience in order for the brand to sell effectively.
Typography.
Typography is the art of text, and arranging type in order for language to be
visible and clear. Typography is a crucial part of the conventions of a magazine. Eye
catching font is the one of the first things the audience will notice. The arrangement
type involves, font type, font size, line length, leading and kerning. The arrangement
of text is extremely important when creating any magazine, as using the correct
arrangement can potentially make the magazine appear more official and professional.
The font has to be easy to read, most magazines use serif fonts as they are easy to read
and eye-catching.
Sell/Tag Line.
The sell lines are usually placed above or below the mast head. They describe to
the reader what the magazine features and some information on the issue. The purpose
of a sell line is to promote the magazine by advertising the exclusive articles the
magazine includes. he sell line uses exciting vocabulary, such as "Exclusive", and
"Special Edition". The sell line usually addresses the reader by using second person
narrative which addresses the reader. This is effective as it draws the audience's
attention, and gives a personal sense of urgency, propelling the story—and the reader
—forward.
The main cover line is smaller than the masthead, however bigger than the usual
cover line. the main cover line promotes the main story of the magazine and usually
relates to the main image's story. The font cover is the same as the cover lines,
however the main cover line is the biggest type face, besides the Mast head, on
the front cover. The main cover line is meant to be in bold in order to catch the
attention of the reader's eye.
After reading the mast head, the reader's attention will draw to the main cover line as
it is the next biggest typeface, and is usually the same colour of the masthead. The
main cover line should stand out clearly as it promotes the main story and image of the
magazine.
Cover Lines.
Cover lines are short statements found in the outer thirds on a cover magazine,
of a magazine. The cover lines allude or describe the magazine, and promote the
articles inside the magazine, to draw the
readers attention, and entice the reader to pick up and buying the magazine.
Today, for most consumer magazines, cover lines are a crucial part of the conventions,
and news-stand sales. Magazine companies often keep track of which cover lines sold
more issues and then try to replicate they're success, by either repeating cover lines or
adjusting them in order to gain the familiar success. As a designer there is often a
constant battle between using the correct elements of a magazine in order to come out
with a good design and having to use elements which appeal to news-stand buyers and
public audiences.
Colour Scheme.
Colour schemes also fit with a certain theme the magazine is trying to convey. Fonts
are a certain colour, as they may fit with the colour of the main image.
Colour schemes are also used to create a contrast on the page, the contrast of colours
will demand the attention of the reader, as it stands out amongst the other magazines.
Strips.
The strip is located along the bottoms and the top of the magazine, containing a list of
items which feature in the magazine. This conveys that the magazine is full of
interesting stories sand the audience is getting the value for their money.
Bar code.
The bar code is usually placed at the bottom of the magazine, as this is the last place
where the reader will look. Bar codes do not contribute to the purpose or theme of the
design of the magazine, bar codes are just a way of transferring data. Bar codes
provide a a way of tracking and storing information about goods, from individual
items to large stocks. They serve an important role and provide advantages compared
with manually entering information. When designing my magazine i will place the
barcode at the bottom of the magazine, as this follows the 'Z' method, norder for my
mgazine to be successful.
TO FIND OUT THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN MAGAZINE COVER
Over the past century, magazines have played an essential role in shaping
popular culture and influencing social norms. Magazine covers, in particular, are a
powerful tool in setting the tone and conveying messages about beauty, fashion, and
lifestyle. However, for much of the magazine industry's history, women's
representation on covers has been limited and often stereotypical. Fortunately, in
recent years, there has been a significant shift towards more diverse and inclusive
representation of women on magazine covers, reflecting a broader change in societal
attitudes towards gender equality.
However, in the 1970s and 80s, the feminist movement began to challenge these
traditional gender roles, and women's magazines started to reflect this change.
Women's magazines such as Ms. and Cosmopolitan began to feature women on their
covers who were breaking societal norms and advocating for gender equality. These
women were shown as strong and confident, challenging traditional beauty standards
and promoting diversity.
Moreover, many magazines have started to feature women who are breaking societal
norms and defying gender roles. Women who are leaders in their fields, such as
business, politics, and entertainment, are increasingly being featured on magazine
covers. These women serve as role models for young girls and promote the idea that
women can be successful in any field they choose.
The role of women on magazine covers has evolved significantly over the past
century. From objectification and reinforcing traditional gender roles to promoting
diversity and challenging societal norms, magazines have played a significant role in
shaping our perceptions of women. While there is still work to be done, the shift
towards more diverse and inclusive representation of women on magazine covers is a
positive step forward in promoting gender equality and breaking down harmful
stereotypes
INFLUENCE OF MAGAZINE COVER PAGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Magazine cover pages have long been a powerful tool in the world of print
media. They serve as a snapshot of the magazine's contents, showcasing the latest
trends, news, and features. However, in today's digital age, magazine cover pages have
taken on a new level of influence, particularly on social media.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook have provided an
opportunity for magazines to reach a wider audience than ever before. Magazine cover
pages are frequently shared on these platforms, creating a buzz and generating interest
among readers. This has become an essential part of a magazine's marketing strategy,
as social media provides a platform for magazines to promote their brand, increase
readership, and engage with their audience.
One of the most significant advantages of using magazine cover pages on social media
is their ability to create a sense of excitement and anticipation among readers. When a
new issue is released, magazines will often tease their cover page on social media,
giving readers a sneak peek of what's to come. This creates a sense of anticipation and
excitement, encouraging readers to pick up the magazine and read more.
Social media has also given readers a platform to engage with magazines on a more
personal level. By commenting, sharing, and liking cover pages, readers can create a
conversation around the magazine's content. They can share their opinions, ask
questions, and connect with other readers who share similar interests. This has
transformed magazines from one-way communication tools to interactive platforms,
providing readers with a more immersive experience.
Magazines have also realized the importance of showcasing diversity and inclusivity
on their cover pages. In the past, magazine cover pages have been criticized for
reinforcing traditional beauty standards and promoting a narrow definition of what it
means to be beautiful. However, social media has given magazines an opportunity to
challenge these stereotypes and promote a more inclusive approach to fashion and
lifestyle.
For example, magazines are now featuring women of different ages, races, and body
types on their cover pages. This not only promotes a more inclusive view of beauty
but also reflects the diversity of their readership. It sends a message that all women are
beautiful, regardless of their age, race, or body type.
In addition, magazines are also featuring women who are breaking societal norms and
defying gender roles on their cover pages. These women serve as role models for
young girls and promote the idea that women can be successful in any field they
choose. This not only challenges traditional gender roles but also inspires and
empowers young women to pursue their dreams.