For those of you that aren’t familiar with the realm of design, there a lot of things that are taken into consideration when designing something, such as a magazine cover— placement of objects, images, and typography, as well as the size, font, and color of the text. All these things are evident when you look at magazine covers, but some are executed more successfully than others.
Looking at one of the contest winners from last year’s “Best Cover Contest,” you will see what makes a successful magazine cover. The Economist’s July 8-14, 2006 issue, winning one 1st place title and two 3rd place titles for best cover line, best concept, and best cover, respectively, depicts North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il as “Rocket man.” Not only is the concept genius, since Kim Jong-Il launched a Taepodong rocket along with six other rockets, but everything is also laid out very well. The image of Kim Jong-Il is placed in the center of the page, and with him contrasting the dark background, he is very visible. Also, the words, “Rocket man” are big, bold, and white, again contrasting the dark night sky. What also works for the magazine is the block of text that is always found on the cover. The block of text containing the title and cover lines allow the consumer to remain familiar with the layout, so no matter what the cover image is, the consumer will always recognize it. Since the title block is also in red, it stands out the most out of everything else on the cover. All these things make the magazine very noticeable, and when it is sitting in a sea of other magazines, it’s sure to stick out.
Another great example is the July/August 2006 issue of Premiere, winning second place for the best celebrity cover. According to the ASME, the cover “features an appropriate subject, clear and colorful cover lines, and the originality to pop on the newsstand.” Actor, Steve Carell, is wearing a bright turquoise shirt that definitely catches the eye. The concept of the photograph is also quite appealing, since a man caught with a fish hook in his mouth isn’t something that you see everyday. Furthermore, choosing a sans serif font, or a typeface without serifs, allows for better legibility. Having the text aligned in the center also gives a feeling of balance and organization. And with the bright and legible cover lines, consumers could see if the magazine has something interesting for them.
Yet another example of a very successful cover is Departures’ September 2005 issue. It won the best fashion cover and proves that more isn’t always better. Now, take a look at the cover. What’s the first thing you see? Those pouty red lips jump out at you, don’t they? According to Robin Williams, author of The Non-Designer’s Type Book, “warm colors (reds, oranges) come forward and command our attention. Our eyes are very attracted to warm colors, so it takes very little red to create a contrast, to catch your eye.”From the cover, you might also get the impression that Departures is a very refined magazine; not only is an elegant picture used, but the text for the title is a tall, serif font, which evokes a more distinguished feeling.
Just with these three examples, you can see that placement, imagery, and font play an integral part in successful magazine covers. They determine whose eyes the magazine will catch and how many people will actually buy it. So, the next time you’re strolling down the checkout line at the supermarket or killing time in the magazine section at the nearest Borders, see what catches your eye—you’re sure to see some of the same design tips.
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Works Cited
- Williams, Robin. The Non-Designer’s Type Book. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2006.
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