Cover page draft 4 (final)

After all the experiments and improvements I've managed to create my final draft of the cover page. This is it. I might go back to it and change little things, however, overall this is how it will look.

The latest improvements are:

• I left the picture at the center of the page and also left the colours of the masthead the same as in the second draft. However, I've twisted the first part of the heading and also moved the date in the masthead area so when people read the name of the magazine they also can see which issue is it. 

• I've changed the colour and font of the cover lines trying to make it stand out a lot but not to make them too "heavy" for the layout of the page. I've used a dark-cherry colour, which echoes the colour of my model's hair and pushed them as close to the sides of the page as possible. If I was doing my real magazine I would put the cover lines in a small font, all in one line with dashes or bullet points between each of the cover line and place it at the bottom of the page (on the black of Maria's jacket). This would leave the photo and the main cover line in focus and look, in my opinion, more professional an minimalistic. However, I need to show the skills and put the cover lines on the page and so I did. 


• I was very fond of the idea of putting my model's name in between the two lines that are crossing the page. However, the lines used to be white and were badly seen on the sides of the page. So I changed the colour of the lines into blue - the same colour I've used for the masthead background. 

• I've put the price over the barcode and made it quite big.  I've also put a QR code so that readers can scan it with their smartphones. This allows my magazine to be up to date with modern technologies and so attract more young readers.

Overall I've tried not to put too much of coverlines and colour on the page because I think it makes the magazine look cheap, which is fine for the younger audience. As I am aiming for the readers of 18+, (late teens), they would probably be more serious and interested not in gossips and pictures but in useful information, especially if they are planning to work or working in the music (or media) industry. I've chosen light pastel colours, because my model is a young gentle girl. However the coverlines are darker reflecting her hair and jacket. To be honest, I didn't even think of the colours and chose them instinctively and later on I've noticed the match. Generally I am happy with the cover page, however I will ask my friends and classmates their opinion and may add little changes.