MAGAZINE FRONT COVER

POST-PRODUCTIONBradley Gale (Eggleton)

I have chosen this image for my front cover as I really like the shot and position of my model. I edited her lips bright red as I am going to link them with my masthead (name of my magazine) and other text. I asked my model to wear the blue dress and headband as it is quite fashionable at the moment.

I have chosen to call my magazine MFT (Music For Today) as it is like NME. It is also easy to remember and clear. I have matched the models lips with the masthead (MFT) to link the model with the text. I added a thin black outline around the masthead (MFT) to help it stand out from the white background a bit more that it already does.

I added the word ‘NEW’ at the very top on the ‘M’ of MFT. I made the text white so it stands out from the red background it is on and matches the models headband and clothing. I then added the text ‘Music For Today’ under the masthead (MFT). I made the text black and bold to help it stand out as the text is quite small.

In the bottom right corner, I have added the barcode, issue number, date, and the price. From my research into other magazine front covers, I found out that they are all usually together (conventional). I have priced my magazine at £2.50, as most people on my questionnaire said they would pay about three pounds.

Then I added my main cover line title ‘Amelia’ (which is the name of my singer/artist). I have carefully placed the text (Amelia) under the models arms; the two A’s line up with her arms. I have added a shadow to the text to give it a 3d effect, so it stands out. I have made it red to match the models lips and the other text on the front cover. I used the font Springtime.

I added the rest of the main cover line, over my model. I have added a quote from the article inside “I live for the music” with a black background and in white text; this is to help it stand out and link to the ‘Exclusive’ text I am going to do next. The writing at the bottom is white with a black outline, and it is a brief look at the singer/artist Amelia.

I added the word ‘exclusive’ above the word Amelia as it relates to that cover line. Words such as ‘Exclusive’ suggest that this magazine is the only magazine to cover this story. I have given it a black background and a shadow to help make it stand out. I have also purposely made it look like a square speech bubble; makes it look personal to the reader.

I added three other cover lines. I love the font I have used as it is bold, and stands out. I decided to create two artists/bands/singers, and award results. For the ‘O’ in The Monsters, I decided to use a little monster to make it look like a real band name, and to make it more my own. The MFT Awards idea came from The NME Awards idea in their magazine, thought i would make my own rewards for my magazine.

These additional cover lines are not supposed to be that important, that is why I made them smaller. I made the ‘FREE’ and ‘150’ stand out as they have and importance to the audience and would also encourage them to buy the magazine (White text black outline). The plus sign ‘+’ I have made stand out and i have also linked the colour red with the masthead and lips.

I added a ‘Flash’ and made it yellow to stand out. I also added a shadow to give it a 3d effect. As it states ‘Win an iPhone 4’ I have added the apple logo to make it seem like a real competition. I have also made the word ‘WIN’ stand out by making it bold (white text black outline).

I have place her head over the masthead (MFT). This was to make it look more like a real magazine. Many magazines have done this so it is quite conventional. I also believe it looks better to have the head over the masthead rather than under it.

This is my completed magazine Front Cover. I am very happy with it and I think it has turned out great. You can clearly see the link between text and model/singer/artist. The red, black and white really work brilliantly together. It looks like a real magazine front cover, and I believe it would look great with today's magazine market.