Judging A Magazine By Its Cover: Part 02

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography


Last week, I wrapped up my biggest editorial design job to date. Needless to say, magazine covers have been on my mind a lot lately. This is a compilation of some of my recent favorites. Want even more? Take a look back at my previous batch of favorites.


magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography

magazine typofiles typography


nubby signature

10 Responses to Judging A Magazine By Its Cover: Part 02

  1. Erin says:

    I like the way you laid out the covers from bright orange to earth toned neutrals, it has a very logical flow! Sometimes, it’s the little things…It’s very similar to my closet, except I go: teal > blue > purple > fuschia > red > black > grey > white > cream > gold (sorry for the TMI)

  2. Lola says:

    1. Actresses are not models. The only reason that I say this is because actresses are not built like models, and they don’t have that same appeal that would work on a magazine cover. Sure, some can pull it off, but I think it’s unfair to put a woman who already is working in film on the cover of a magazine. Leave it to the professionals! (What I mean is, Emma Watson looks silly).

    2. I love the exploration of type that some of the magazines are doing. I think it’s important to push the boundaries, especially if the magazine has been doing the same old thing for the last 50 years. (What I mean is, I love me some hand-drawn type).

    3. You love the foreign mags as much as I do. Everything is amped up 10 more times than we do in the US. Seems like they are willing to try everything, which is so inspiring. (What I mean is, if I can’t read the articles, then I like the pictures).

    Love ya! xo

    • Nubby says:

      Lola: It’s a tough call for fashion magazines these days because you’re right, the models do look better; they have the practice and know how to pose. But the actresses have more mainstream appeal and there’s usually a corresponding shoot and in-depth interview inside the issue whereas with a model, it’s usually just the shoot. It seems like less of the mainstream magazines are willing to take a chance with a model on the cover which is sad. Because the juicy interviews are what pull in the readers in the grocery store check-out line.

      I love the hand-drawn type trend too. Now that everything is digital and overly polished, there needs to be a push for more organic elements so that design doesn’t become too sterile and uniform.

      Agreed on the foreign magazine front. It definitely feels like they’re more for the promotion of great art and less for the push of money, money, money.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Please note: Any comments deemed inappropriate (spam, off-topic, rude language) will be removed.