Magazine Cover Design Tips

1. Title should be large. It should be your biggest font on the page. Font choice is up to you. Make it match the cover’s feel and demographic its trying to reach. 1.5 -2 inches average size.

2. Articles should be sans-serif fonts.

3. Note the difference between the two

1.5 to 2 inch size

4. Articles should have focal words – words that pop out and are a little different. They can be bigger, bolder, a different color, or italicized.Articles should stand out, be easy to read (change the colors over the background to see if that helps them pop out or add a layer style) and shouldn’t be too numerous with font choices (up to four)

5. Keep your words close together within articles, no double spacing. Look closely at how much space is between the words and the letters themselves.

6. Decide if you want a symmetrical layout or an asymmetrical layout

Asymmetrical Symmetrical

7. Cut out a celebrity’s head and place over title for a 3D effect.8. Use dafont.com or 1001freefonts.com to find new fonts.9. Make sure your words go around people’s faces

10. Place another picture(s) on your cover for additional interest

11. Use shapes under words to make them stand out

12. Leave room for a barcode on the bottom. Search google for barcode and copy and paste in your document.

13. Be aware of your colors throughout your project. – Fonts, backgrounds, pictures, etc. Make them all work together.