Photo Magazine Cover

Assignment:   Design and Produce a Magazine Cover

Goals:             Learn about the impact of Magazine Covers and then design a realistic cover (compared to samples) using Adobe Photoshop

Tools:              Adobe Photoshop, digital camera to capture your own images

 

 

An interesting time lapse with insight to what when behind to make this cover: http://videos.komando.com/2009/11/13/creating-a-stunning-magazine-cover/

 

 

 

NOTE: New for 2011-12. Students MUST choose one of the commercial magazines on THIS PAGE as their sample. Rough draft home work will be to list out 10 possible article titles. Review this page for ideas, then write up your own 10 articles. IOW, you will use one of the samples on this page, but the pictures and titles will be your own. The name of your magazine and exact font, layout of articles, banner, flag, etc. MUST match the commercial exactly.

 

NOTE: New for 2011-12. You will NOT be able to print after the EOYC has passed. I will still grade it on screen, but it will NOT need to be printed. This project takes time, and if you fall behind and fail to get it completed in time for the EOY, then you will miss the opportunity to print the project.

 

Instructions: 

1. EVERYBODY...open a New Photoshop Document set the size to 8”x10.5” with a Resolution of 200 dpi. (See screen shot below) (You can choose US Paper Preset of 8.5 x 11 to start, then set size and resolution to 200).

2. You have two (2) options regarding the art on your cover.

        a. USE EXISTING BACKGROUND. Duplicate your photo to two layers so that you can splice the Magazine Title into the middle of the two layers so that it is behind the main subject but in front of the background of the subject.

        b. REPLACE BACKGROUND. You can cut out the main subject and place on entirely different background with the title between your main subject and the background.

            - Backgrounds can come from 1) your other pictures 2) my pictures (look in the edit folder) 3) Clipart More (backgrounds) or 4) Clipart 600K (Disks 25, 26, or 27)

3. Use one of the samples below to layout your magazine. It does not have to look the same but should look very similar...with your own words, article titles, etc etc.

4. The pictures need to be mostly BY you. The MAIN art work needs to be SHOT by you. You MAY include a picture of you in one of the insets.

 

                    

 

 

This will be the most complex graphic design you have done yet. Look at the samples. Notice very carefully the consistent style change between article title and article description, the use of fonts, bolding and color to set the style and emphasize various articles. Make the design your own (your picture, your words, etc.) but you must have the required items listed below. Be sure to stay caught up with the class on the Magazine Cover as you can only work on this with Photoshop in this classroom. (i.e. you can do the focus in the F Hall Lab or Library).

 

Required Items on your Magazine Cover:

 

Grading Criteria for Magazine Cover

 

 

Font Matching List (not official...just best match...if you find a better, let me know):

People = Cairo SF

Sports Illustrated = Imapct

US Weekly = Tahoma

Seventeen = Onyx

Men's Journal = Cambria

Rolling Stone = Verdict SF

Nick = Ballonist SF

Entertainment Weekly = Franklin Gothic Demi Cond

Essence = Tahoma is close, but the C does not match very closely. Let me know if you find a better.

Vogue - ENgravers NT   (teen - seems to be a modified Gothic 725 BT Black Italic)

 

 

Tips:

 

 

 

 

Using Photoshop to Create a Magazine Cover:

 

  1. Background removal/replacement
    1. Both of these features involve making a copy of the main layer as a “Background Copy”. Then, on the top layer, delete the entire picture but the main portion.

                                                               i.      To Duplicate Layer, first turn on the “Layers Pallet” if it is not already visible. Then, right click on the word “Background” and “Duplicate Layer” and call it “Foreground”.

                                                             ii.      Turn off the visibility of the Background layer by click the “eye” icon.

                                                            iii.      Be sure the New Layer is active (click on it in the layer pallet so that it is highlighted).

    1. Use various editing tools (Lasso, Magic Wand, Eraser, Quick Mask, etc.) to delete everything but the main object. If you select what you want to delete, just delete. If you select the object to keep, INVERSE the selection, and then delete.
    2. After you have isolated the main subject adjust the levels and any other changes that you want to make to the image BEFORE doing the next step.

                                                               i.      Save As a copy to preserve the original.

  1. Creating the Composite Image
    1. Keep the image you just created open …now also open a New Photoshop Document (if you do not already have a Mag Cover Open), set the size to 8”x10.5” with a Resolution of dpi.
    2. Go back to the previous document (your image). Click on the duplicated layer and drag to the new document and drop it (the layer that is).
    3. Use the Move tool (v) to move around. When the Move tool is active, you will see the bounding box to resize the image as needed.
    4. Use the text tool to layout the images.

                                                               i.      When using the text tool, it will remain editable until you convert it. Be careful of accidentally converting the text, but as long as it stays in it’s own layer, you can always delete the text layer and try again.

    1. Bring in other elements as necessary. Keep items on their own layer. Be sure to click on the correct layer when trying to modify. Move layers around to get the correct layering that you are looking for.

                                                               i.      You can use one of the Special Scenes from the ClipArt Supplemental or and of the Photos from Disk 16-23.

                                                             ii.      Be sure to include a UPC code and volume and date information for authenticity.

    1. To keep your document size manageable, merge and join layers, but only when you are certain that you don’t need them separate. You can save as along the way to a different version, like “Mag Cover 2”, so that you can go back to “Mag Cover 1” if you really mess up.
    2. When you are completely done, save a final time, then flatten the image (click on the triangle of the Layers Palette) and do a Save As to a jpeg. We will need to print from the JPEG. This project will be printed after final approval.

 

 

 

Text Control

 

When you select text, you will get a new Menu Bar. Click on  the Page Looking Icon to go to the Character Properties.

 

 

 

 

 

Above Image Source, with descriptions of each label: http://www.peachpit.com/guides/content.aspx?g=photoshop&seqNum=87

 

 

 

 

Text Control in Photoshop is a bit odd. Depending on if you have the text selected and try to stretch it out or increase the font size manually. If it has closely spaced dots vs. a solid line makes a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Steps to Print and Save:

1. Get an ok to print. It may take a while to get an ok...I want it to look as REALISTIC as your sample. If it doesn't look realistic...don't ask to print...keep working.

2. Save (this will save one last time as a PSD)

3. "Print with Preview"...click on "Scale to fit to media"

4. Print (be sure your special paper is loaded).

4. Save As...change format to .jpg (flatten all layers)

    b. Modify name to indicate flat version

    c. Set compression to 10-12 to keep the "size" of the image around 1mb.

5. a. Save As again...also as a JPG...add web to end the of the file name (but before the .jpg).

    b. Set compression to '5' to end up with about a 250k file. (the number 5 may vary...just try to end up with a 250k file for MySpace, etc.)

 

 

Previous Student Samples:

 

        See public server...look for "Student Examples" then for "Magazine Cover" although note that note all are like what I want to see from you.

 

 

 

 

 

Screen shot of the layers created for the poster above:

 

 

 

Commercial Samples:

http://www.seventeen.com/magazine/in-this-issue/taylor-swift-seventeen-cover-may-2009 or  http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid11892153001?bctid=18167451001

 

The People on the left is a near perfect example with a proper picture inset as well as UPC, as the Haiti Earthquake title across the top is the banner. The Font for People: Cairo

    

 

Sports Illustrated font is: The closest that Windows can provide is the 'Impact' font. It is slightly different, but most people wouldn't notice the difference.

 

 

If you use the Vogue sample below, you will need a picture inset....and unlike the one on the right, the title would need to go between the model and the background.

     

 

Notice Vogue's variation in Title...from in FRONT of the title, to BEHIND the title, to MIXED in the title:

 

 

 

 

If you use EW below, you would need a UPC code.

       

 

InStyle is a good sample with a proper picture inset as well as UPC, etc.

 

                    

 

Essence is a good sample with a proper picture inset as well as UPC, etc.

 

            

 

USWeekly is a good sample with a proper picture inset as well as UPC, etc. Font for US Weekly: Tahoma (Thanks Anna)

 

                        

 

 

 

 

Interesting variation...same cover, slightly different markets.  Font for Seventeen appears to be "Onyx". Thanks Victoria!

 

 

 

 

The following are ok...except you will need picture insets, UPC code and a flag.

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you are done with the cover for class, take a look at this website:

 

 

 

What is the impact of Magazine Covers in general on society?

 

 

 

Magazine Covers are Big Business! Notice how Chaney Electronics celebrates their 40 years in business by showing their catalog covers over the years. Or the collection of Obama and Jobs.

http://www.craigrentmeester.typepad.com/craig_rentmeesters_blog/2007/11/the-importance-.html

 

Magazine Covers have great historical significance.

 

 

 

 

Here is an interesting article about how the cover or Rolling Stone changes: http://inspiredology.com/rolling-stone-magazine-covers-the-brand/

 

Magazine Covers  have tested American ethical standards and what is acceptable with controversial covers such as Demi Moore on Vanity Fair, to as simple an image as a noose on Golfweek.

 

     

Controversy becomes Controversy

Even in today’s more enlightened age Golfweek pushed the envelope a little too far. On Jan. 19, 2008 Golfweek magazine chose the image of noose to illustrate a story about a TV anchor’s racially tinged comments, but the graphically powerful photo of a noose became a controversy all its own. The editor was fired after a public backlash of negative comments. http://www.toptenz.net/10-controversial-magazine-covers.php or another MOST controversial with more images http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/09/the-most-controversial-magazine-covers-of-all-time/

Another intrusting story: http://www.benedict.com/Visual/Nakedgun/Nakedgun.aspx about copyright and parody (read at home).

 

And finally, Magazine Covers are Style Statements:

 

 

 

Notice how Montages/DCI have made it on to the front over of magazines.

   

 

     

 

 

For a long time it has been a NEAT thing to put yourself on the front cover. Today, you can use an iPhone and immediately take a photo you just took and put it on a cover.

 

 

 

So, an INTERESTING Project with MANY levels of learning, from desktop publishing...to society pressures.

 

Top Magazine Covers Yearly Contest:

2008 http://www.magazine.org/asme/2008-best-magazine-covers-winners.aspx

2007 http://www.magazine.org/asme/24689.aspx

2006 http://www.magazine.org/asme/18999.aspx

Last 40 years    http://www.magazine.org/asme/top_40_covers/index.aspx (Including the #1 cover of all time with John Lennon not long before he died.)

 

 

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