Chapter 9. Magazine Design

Whether you stack them up or fan them out, magazines are an enduring and visible feature of the modern home. In fact, your coffee table is most likely groaning under the weight of a few right now.

Is it content that absorbs us? These days, there's a magazine to suit any interest, passion, or pursuit. But while readers will always seek information, it's good design that makes that information clear and attractive.

In this chapter, we'll explore some of the challenges of magazine design. We'll analyze the process of creating a layout, examining how text and images are combined on magazine covers and inner spreads to pique readers' interest and keep them reading.

COURSE DEVELOPER: TARA MACKAY

This chapter is based on a lesson developed by Tara MacKay, Director of Curriculum at Sessions. Tara is responsible for the development and production of online design courses.

Figure 9.1. The aged, European feel and unexpected use of imagery perfectly convey Zoetrope All Story's foreign affairs issue and set it apart from related magazines on the rack.

In this chapter you will:

• Explore what makes magazine covers and spreads eye-catching.

• Learn key questions to ask when conducting magazine design research.

• Analyze the creation of a successful magazine article layout.

• Learn how and why designers use grid systems for magazine spread designs.

• Learn how images are framed, cropped, and placed to support a layout.

• Explore common types of magazine text styles and how to handle them on covers and spreads.

• Learn how contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity are used to create effective covers and spreads.

• Design a magazine cover and an introductory spread for a new fashion magazine.