Cover Design Research

In this assignment we were given the opportunity to explore which website we would like to create our cover with. It gave me a better idea of which would be better for the success of my magazine and which would be easier for me to use.

Canva:

I found the first cover on google and the last two on the website. I like the organization and style of the cover with the minimalist and light colored aesthetic. They each have fonts and colors that I like and fit the theme. They incorporate nature into each cover whether it be through plants, flowers, or scenery in the outdoors. The cover on the left has a good layout of images and text, color scheme, and pick of photos. The middle photo has a good central image that can give the reader an idea of the magazine. The cover on the right has a good layout similar to how I would want mine and the the font fits the minimalist theme.

Pros:

1. I am familiar with the website since I have used it for previous assignments and for other classes

2. It has examples within a style and format that I am interested on using

3. The website offers help in finding what you are looking for and provides options

4. When creating a design, it is easy to locate and use the tools provided

5. Could be a challenge to learn something new

Cons:

1. It might not have everything I need to create a magazine cover

2. There is not a lot of creative flexibility since some of their tools and templates are for members who payed extra for benefits (which I will not be doing)

InDesign:

I found all these magazine covers on google. I like the stylistic features and attention to the tiny details included into the covers. I like how unique each style, font, color scheme, lighting, shapes, and patterns are. In the magazine cover the left it has a font and layout that is similar to how I want mine. The cover in the middle has a good color scheme and cool effects and shapes in the background. The cover on the right has a lot of details that are very impressive.

Pros:

1. I like the creative ability that the website provides (whatever you want to create you can do on the website)

2. There are a lot of options regarding tools to create any design such as the ones in the example

3. The website has a lot of tools that would help me create my vision for the cover

4. There are guided videos that could help me use the website

5. It is Adobe which means it could be similar to Photoshop which I have used

Cons:

1. I haven't used this website before which could be a potential challenge/setback

2. Since it is similar to Photoshop, would I want to risk using an application that I haven't used before

Photoshop:

I found each magazine cover on google. I like how realistic the magazine to the left looks with the splatter and colors. I like how the middle one has a good incorporation of the color red throughout the consistent scheme. I like how the one on the right has a good use of filter and lighting to add feeling and depth into the image of the landscape.

Pros:

1. I have used this website before so I am familiar with it

2. There are a lot of guided videos to help me learn how to use the application better

3. Similar to InDesign which seems like a good application

Cons:

1. Though I have used it before, I didn't master the ability to understand how to use it completely without help from my teacher or a guide online

2. I didn't like using the application since it was very confusing which caused a lot of mistakes

I am going to use Photoshop because I would like to improve my skills on this website. I was in between using InDesign and Photoshop since they have the tools to help me create my envisioned design, and Canva doesn't. I chose this because instead of throwing out what I already know on Photoshop and having to learn a new application, I would like to improve my familiarity with this one. Photoshop has a large variety of tools that could help with the success of my magazine cover and would help strengthen my previous knowledge at the same time.