Magazine cover preview assignment

Article #1: 
1) The cover needs to be similar to other issues so it looks cohesive
2) It needs to be easy to scan and look at
3) It needs to pull curiosity
4) It needs to be intellectually interesting
5) The cover needs to spark emotions from viewers

Article #2: 
1) Formal
2) Informal
3) Environmental
4) Formal
5) Environmental
6) Informal
7) Formal
8) Formal
9) Formal
10) Formal
11) Formal
12) Informal
13) Environmental
14) Formal
15) Formal
16) Environmental
17) Formal

My Favorite Cover: 

"For W’s December/January Art Issue, the magazine collaborated with artist Yayoi Kusama to create this iconic cover image depicting George Clooney. The visually arresting image is the highlight of the cover story, for which five leading female artists were invited to create interpretive portraits of the actor. Clooney wears a suit painted by Kusama with her signature polka dots and stands against a polka-dotted backdrop. Planned to coincide with the opening of an exhibition of new work by Kusama at David Zwirner Gallery, the cover makes a powerful reference to the artist’s iconic self-portraits."

This cover grabbed my attention when I glanced over it. The formal expression with the busy and fun background creates a great contrast, which is part of why it's so interesting. That communicates different aspects of Clooney's personality by using the background in contrast to his expression.  I think what also made me look at it in awe for so long was how I had to try hard to read the title because of the dots, and that made me like it more for some reason because it was a small challenge. The fact that dots cover everything except for his face add emphasis on his face and his expression. 

Magazines Part II

Image bases magazine covers are consisted of people on the cover, typically celebrities. Magazine covers can capture people's attention with a simple pose, or something shot in a different angle or with the subject having a different focus. Illustration based magazine covers are drawn images. These were the only covers to be on magazines before it was possible to take detailed photography, but now there aren't many. Design based magazine covers have words on them, usually to capture attention with an opinionated or interesting comment. Concept based magazine covers can be a mix of the other three types. They are used to convey a witty or funny idea in an interesting way.

Words and photos on magazine covers work together to show a cohesive point to viewers. These can be used differently in different types of magazine covers. The words work with the photo to show why it makes sense with the magazine.