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.
mikkie says: So nice to see a Dutch Elle cover here! Their graphic design has been amazing the last few years. This is my favourite: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uH3C4e1ZRhM/TVrkju8EfcI/AAAAAAAACRo/LVxckN73UcA/s1600/In-de-winkel-ELLE-MAART_groot.jpg
Love the colours and the lettertype
mikkie: Oooh, I’ve never seen that one but it sure is great. Thanks for sharing!
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)
Erin: Glad you noticed! It was definitely premeditated on my part. 
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
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.
Well, if you like the foreign covers… Elle Netherlands existed 20 years last year and they had a covers contest. You can see the top 50 here on the right hand side of the screen:
http://www.elle.nl/var/ellenl/storage/covers/
I voted for the one of April 1998 with Alek Wek
mikkie: Thanks so much for sharing, there’s some great ones in this bunch!!
Love these covers Nubby. I noticed there’s a couple of Australian ones! The new Nov 2011 Australian Vogue’s cover is pretty rad: http://www.vogue.com.au/vogue+magazine/vogue+australia/ …it has a nautical theme. I love the stripped background of it. My favourite from the ones you’ve chosen above is definitely the Vogue Italia cover w/ the girl with the star.
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Hello! I'm Shauna, a graphic designer, blogger and co-founder of The Blogcademy. Oh, and I love shoes. Read more…
