This is your opportunity to create an eye catching magazine cover that is all about YOU! Incorporate high quality images with eye catching article titles to intrigue your audience into grabbing your magazine off the shelf.

Follow these steps to complete the project, print it, and create a video to showcase your printed work on your blog. Watch the video tutorials below, and remember you can pause and replay them as needed. You may also schedule tutoring sessions as needed.

1. SKETCH 

Once you have ideas of your cover you should make sketches of at least four different layouts with paper and pencil. Fold an 8.5×11 piece of paper in half to make each sketch look like the example below. Look at the examples above for ideas, colors and layouts ideas. Do not copy another layout exactly, but use it as a springboard for your own design. Plan your focal point and hierarchy. Click example below to enlarge:

Include the following elements in your sketched layouts:

• Large eye-catching title.
• Text boxes.
• Image shapes.
• Any graphic elements.
• Color notes.
• Date & Issue Number
• Take a photo(s) of your four sketches or scan them to be included in your final blog post

2. SHAPE MAP

Set up a new 8.5 x 11 inches InDesign document (File > New) with 0.25 inch margins and portrait orientation.  Remember:  Never put your text too close to the edge. Keep all text inside the margins.

Watch Part 1 (transcript) of the magazine video tutorials to match your best sketch and create a shape map. It is okay to change your idea or sketch. Your final project does not need to match your sketch exactly. Include a text box with your Color Scheme in your Shape Map. Go to File>Export and save the shape map as a JPEG at 60ppi. Click example below to enlarge:

3. DESIGN

Now that you have sketched several layout options, let’s make your ideas come to life!
Your cover must include the following elements:

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches
• Magazine title
• 3 – 5 article titles about you
• Dominant self-portrait
• Other images (optional)
• Date & Issue number

LAYOUT:
Open your shape map in InDesign and add your elements to create your layout. Insert your title, and images/illustrations. Replace your placeholder text with your own original article titles. Follow Part 2  (transcript) of the magazine video tutorials for layout and image tips.

TYPOGRAPHY:
Choose a legible body copy typeface from an Oldstyle or sans serif category. You need to follow the typography guidelines from this course and The Non-Designer’s Design Book. Choose a title typeface and make sure it contrasts with your body copy. 

TITLES:
Your cover needs to have one large, eye catching title. This title is the name of your magazine.  You can use an existing company or make up your own.

Then include 3 -5 articles titles about your life. Use these titles to introduce different aspects of your life.  Use creative words to create curiosity but make sure the message is easy to understand.  You usually only have a few seconds to grab a potential buyer’s attention.

IMAGES:
Magazines tend to have a large dominant image of a model on the cover.  For your cover, the model is you! The dominant image must be a self-portrait. You can take a new photo of yourself or use an already existing image. Model background needs to be solid.  You rarely see patterned backgrounds on magazine covers because they take away from the message and are difficult to design with.

Other images may be used if they add to your cover.  Only use high quality images!  You will never see a pixelated or unfocused image on a magazine cover. Remember you are a design intern trying to land a career, so keep things high class and professional.

How to find quality images online.(Transcript)

4. CRITIQUE PROCESS

Find more details in Course > Critique Process Guidelines
1. Class Facebook Critique: Post jpeg or png by Tuesday 6:00am MDST
2. Client Critique: Watch Instructor critique recording on Tuesday
3. Critique Meeting: Hold a critique session before final blog post
4. Critique Report: Write a paragraph in blog post about Who-When-How-What (See Course > Critique Process)

5. PRINT & VIDEO PROCESS

Follow the instructions under Course > Print & Video Instructions

6. BLOG POST & SUBMISSION

Use 3A Sample Blog Post as a guide. 
• Insert the exported JPEG (150ppi) of your final magazine cover at the top of the blog post.
• Process: Include thumbnails of your sketches and shape map in the “Process” section of your post.
• Process: Give a brief rationale / explanation of each article title.

Submission – Follow the instruction in Course > Blog Post: Submission Instructions
1. Go to project submission and attach the SCREENSHOT of your blog post.
2. Then you will be able to insert a working HYPERLINK to your blog, in the comments box.
3. State if you “attended class” by watching the entire INTRO/DEMO VIDEO and list the KEY WORDS.

NOTE:  Do not submit until everything is complete. Once you submit, be sure NOT to change anything on your post, until after it is graded.