Magazine Cover Design
Working Knowledge of Graphic Design Software and Digital Tools:
Photoshop and InDesign greatly streamlined my design process for this project. In Photoshop, I cropped Darth Vader off a busy background using a layer mask, fine-tuned the color balance, brightness, and levels, and added an overlay effect to align with each magazine’s brand message and resonate with its target audience. On the other hand, InDesign helped me organize all the layout elements within the constraints of each magazine’s brand identity. The result showcases two distinct magazine compositions that effectively connect with the target audience, are visually appealing, and capture the intended mood.
Elements of Design:
I strived to achieve visual harmony and readability in both compositions by incorporating elements and principles of design. While Darth Vader takes center stage in both magazines, I made minimal alterations to his image to draw attention to other visual elements. This results in a harmonious relationship between the main image, the mastheads’ font style, and the background images’ color temperature. Moreover, utilizing white space between chunks of information ensures that the content is legible and that the overall composition demonstrates balance despite the asymmetrical arrangement.
Creative Self-Expression and Originality:
I developed two design concepts influenced by Star Wars, with a specific focus on Darth Vader. I incorporated background images and visual elements that captured the movie’s aesthetic. After finalizing the design concept, I began sketching the layout and gathering the visual elements I needed to complete the compositions. Considering the numerous elements borrowed from the movie, I believed that simply applying an overlay to Darth Vader’s image and removing the background would effectively convey the mood of each magazine cover.
Evidence of Thoughtful and Appropriate Critique Skills:
The project did not come with a specific design brief. We were simply tasked with analyzing how modifying the main subject and incorporating other visual elements could impact the brand’s message. As a result, I offered feedback in line with the guidelines and responded to my peers’ specific inquiries about their designs. I made certain that my feedback remained objective, focusing solely on information that could help them achieve their objectives.
Evidence of Following Directions:
Since this project did not include a design brief, I carefully analyzed the project’s objectives after reviewing the course guidelines. Based on this, I created a design plan encompassing all the necessary aspects for the visualization phase. I adhered to this plan throughout the design process to stay focused on the project’s goals.
Craftsmanship and Attention to Detail:
The completed design showcases my technical and problem-solving abilities. Each composition incorporates actual magazine elements, including the masthead, headline, images, and body copy, all aligned with the theme. Each cover’s distinct characteristics signify that I effectively used design elements and principles to achieve the project’s goal. Furthermore, I ensured that the magazine covers were ready for printing by double-checking that the typeface, colors, and photos were accurately converted to their right file type.
References
Colucci, D. (2021, March 5). Brown Sand Under Blue Sky During Night Time. Free Nature Image on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/-_5dCixJ6FI
Kazuend. (2015, July 14). Calm Body of Water Near Alp Mountains During Nighttime. Free Sky Image on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/2KXEb_8G5vo
Reiseuhu. (2019, November 25). A Sandy Area with Mountains in the Background. Free Blue Image on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/X4YXqJ2slM0
Rinaldi, E. (2014, June 15). Supanova Pop Culture Exhibition 2014. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/58820009@N05/14425298885
Sam. (2021, July 26). Free floating A4 brochure mockup. Mockuptree. https://mockuptree.com/free/floating-a4-brochure-mockup/