Cover design is more of a sales tool than an artistic endeavor. Covers act as miniature billboards, so they need to portray your business image and be bold enough to invite people to pick it up and take a closer look. Your cover has a job to do and needs to do it well. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Mind the Viewing DistanceWhen designing the cover, keep in mind the distance at which it will be viewed. If it’s on a shelf next to other magazines, it needs to have a draw that other covers don’t have. However, if it’s being mailed to people, you have more free reign regarding where you put the logo and additional information. Figure out what makes your product unique and play that up. You need to be deliberate as to what is truly important and use it appropriately. 2. Create an ExperienceYou are creating an experience for your readers through your cover. Although there are always costs to consider, you want to make the best decision for your magazine. You must establish your brand, and each issue must stand out as an individual. 3. Preview in PrintWhen designing a cover, you will want to print it out when it’s in its final stages. You cannot gauge how good a cover is unless it’s printed. The colors on your computer screen are different than what it will look like when it’s printed on paper. Colors are a little more muted on paper. And it’s easier to catch mistakes when it’s printed out. 4. Don’t Be Afraid to Judge YourselfJudge your cover in the context of other covers. Get copies of what your target market is reading, and place them on a table or a shelf with your cover. What do you see? Does your cover jump out at you and make you want to pick it up? Or does it need to be tweaked? |
