Project: Creating a magazine front page

José A. Alcalde López

Some general features

A magazine cover is perhaps the most important part as it will attract people to buy the magazine or not.

Designing a magazine front is no piece of cake and there are professionals who especially do it.

Today there are specific software programmes to help us with this.

Starting out...

First, decide what type of magazine you are going to have:

● Sports● Teen● Music● Computing● Nature● Science ● Fashion …

Wording

Next, decide on relevant information you want to place on the front page to attract most possible readers.

These headlines must be short, direct and simple so people can read them at a glance.

Try to use a lot of adjectives, bombastic words, catchy phrases, puns...

Images

They must be colourful and appealing. On many occasions these pictures are digitally retouched. Try different effects with colour, light, angle...

There is usually a big picture for the whole page with some possible small ones for specific headlines.

Magazine name

The name of your magazine must be short and appealing. It should also give an exact idea of the content of the magazine.

It is also a good idea to include a slogan to add more information, define, illustrate... your magazine.

Example: “RADICAL SKATE, The meeting place for radical skaters like you”

Don't forget...

There are other pieces of information that should be also on the front such as:

● Price● Edition, number , issue...● Website or social networks links● Promotions (special offers, discounts, coupons, extra contents, gifts...)

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

Some examples...

?Yours!!

Hands on!!

● Use an A3 format piece of paper (although most mags use A4)● Use your printer for more quality in pictures and texts● Distribute all the contents for a good visual effect● Cut out and paste what you need● Make it tidy, clean and attractive