Magazines Part ||

Image based magazine covers are based on drawing the consumer in with a glamorous shot of someone the viewer can identify and relate with. A picture of Kendall Jenner would draw in a younger audience, maybe ages 15-25, while a cover of Willie Nelson would draw in an older audience who have knowledge or can relate to the cover. In the earlier days of magazine covers, the only covers available were illustrations. When magazines use illustrations as their covers, it gives the cover a vintage or classic vibe that is interesting to look at. When an illustration is used, it usually makes a reference to something historical, or an impactful event we all identify with. Type based magazine covers draw the reader in with over exaggerated text, large graphics, and big lettering that draws the eye in to read the text. Concept based magazines give the reader an idea what the entire magazine will explain, design, and illustrate for the reader. Whether it's fashion, food, or fall, the consumer understands what the magazine will encompass, and what they can expect from reading it.

Words and pictures on magazine covers need to balance one another out. If you have an extremely bold picture with bold and graphic writing, incorporating as many techniques and tricks as you can possibly cram into the picture, the picture gets lost, and becomes muddy and unorganized, therefore becoming unappealing to the consumer. On the other end, if you have a simple and basic picture with little or no writing or explanation, there is no appeal, and the reader feels no desire to purchase the magazine because there is no visual stimulus to interest them. A cover needs to be interesting but not overwhelming, simple but not boring, and colorful but not obnoxious, and you will have the perfect balance for a great cover photo.