Yes, we are most definitely are judging a book by its cover in this list of the best mag front page designs from the past year.
Creating a memorable mag covers takes more than just knowing your way around various InDesign tutorials. And 2016 certainly didn't disappoint. In fact, it proved to be a stellar year of innovative, creative and, above-all, inspiring magazine covers that tackled political turmoil, social comment and culture. Here we collect some of our favourites over the past 12 months, including colour-it-yourself, scratch-and-reveal and stand-out photography. Ready for the New Year? Check out these free calendar template designs.
01. Little White Lies – Star Wars
Little White Lies allowed readers to colour this cover in themselves
Little White Lies is known for its innovative, illustrated covers and its last of 2016 didn’t disappoint. Celebrating the release of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars story’, the team produced a colour-it-yourself edition, featuring actress Felicity Jones. The illustration was created by Massachusetts graphic designer Chris Delarenzo, who worked alongside Little White Lies creative director Timba Smits.
The cult classic Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared take over the Printed Pages
Don’t Hug Me, I’m Scared is the vision of Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling. An award-winning, surreal series, it first launched in 2011, with the first episode reaching 30 million views. Gaining a huge, cult following over the years, It’s Nice That magazine Printed Pages published three different covers, each featuring the stars of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared. Photographed by Neil Bedford, the issue included exclusive interviews with the DHMIS puppets themselves.
Vice tackles the refugee crisis with a thought-provoking image
The refugee crisis has been one of the most widely covered news stories of 2016, generating a wealth of magazine covers. Vice tackled it with a simple but bold execution, showcasing an every day image of drying wet clothes but with a sinister and thought-provoking stance. Captured by photographer Elliot Ross, his work focuses on the interpersonal, cultural, and economic hardships of human beings in geographic isolation.
04. Frankie
Frankie always deliver inspiring illustration through their cover art
Based in Australia, Frankie magazine is a women’s magazine but not as you know it. Featuring mostly illustrated covers across their bi-monthly publications, the images capture femininity in all its forms. This one brings forth a sense of adventure and of confidence – a female figure looking for answers in a world that cannot contain her.
05. New Scientist
Try to wrap your head around this cover design for New Scientist
Offering up mind-bending graphic design with every cover, it’s always difficult to pick a stand-out issue when it comes to New Scientist. This one, however, marks the team's ability to create the perfect balance of intrigue and creativity. Its layers offer up more than meets the eye and the font placement allows the image to really speak for itself.
06. The New Yorker
This was the fortieth cover design illustrated by Peter de Sève
Peter de Sève has created forty magazine covers for The New Yorker. Mostly depicting the interaction between humans and animals with an existential stance, this ‘rat race’ illustration is as thought-provoking as it is charming. When asked about the mouse on the cover, Sève told The New Yorker, “I had an inordinate amount of pets growing up, from puppies to parrots, and I even worked in a pet shop as a teenager.”
07. The Big Issue
One of the best of a wealth of Donald Trump covers
2016 saw one face dominate the magazine covers of the world – Donald Trump. Photographs, illustrations and satirical comment have splashed across political publications, newspapers and magazines, marking the undeniable publishing presence of the President-elect. This one from The Big Issue cleverly comments on the media’s treatment, simultaneously offering up a original and illustrative take.
08. The New York Times Magazine
Font design and careful colour selection highlights the theme of this issue
Another comment on Donald Trump, this cover from The New York Times Magazine takes focus away from caricatures and instead makes intelligent use of font and colour. Taking the red, white and blue aesthetic of the United States of America, it highlights the issues raised by such a divided campaign with a poignant and creative flair.
09. Lucky Peach
Lucky Peach allow the reader to get lost in the world of food
This food and lifestyle journal always produces outstanding covers that focus on food but in a creative and intriguing way that often puts the particular item of food in a brand new world. This Pho cover is particularly inspiring, using colour and shape to explore a deeper meaning beyond the bowl.
10. Creative Review
A nostalgic execution from Creative Review
A nostalgic but forward-thinking mirage of illustrations adorns the cover for Creative Review’s August edition. Focusing on “getting started,” signs, steps, ladders and light act as creative metaphors in taking that first step into the career you’ve always dreamt of. The colour palette is a lovely nod to the dream-like nature.
Next page: 10 more of the best magazine covers of 2016...
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Sammy Maine was a founding member of the Creative Bloq team way back in the early 2010s, working as a Commissioning Editor. Her interests cover graphic design in music and film, illustration and animation. Since departing, Sammy has written for The Guardian, VICE, The Independent & Metro, and currently co-edits the quarterly music journal Gold Flake Paint.
