Help Me Choose

**lemondime** · 02:08 AM

So we had to design a magazine cover for our final and I'm having some trouble deciding on which one to turn in.

What do you think? 1, 2 or 3?
(Edit: Post #12 showcases an updated version of #1)
1)

2)

3)

**willcode4beer** · 05-21-2009, 06:30 PM

I recommend the 1st one. It's really nice.

the 2nd is kind of amateurish, the last one is just too dark.

I've been in the software world for quite a few years and one thing that is consistent with designers. The ones fresh out of school (or new to the field) almost always choose really dark backgrounds.

break the mold

**vangogh** · 05-21-2009, 07:14 PM

I like the first one too, though I don't think the second is all that bad. Still I'd go with #1.

**lemondime** · 05-21-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willcode4beer

I recommend the 1st one. It's really nice.

the 2nd is kind of amateurish, the last one is just too dark.

I've been in the software world for quite a few years and one thing that is consistent with designers. The ones fresh out of school (or new to the field) almost always choose really dark backgrounds.

break the mold

Thanks! Appreciate the feed back. I'll try and break that mold

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

I like the first one too, though I don't think the second is all that bad. Still I'd go with #1.

Thanks for the feed back. That's two for two.

There's something about the first one that still doesn't do it for me. It's missing something, but I can't put a finger on it.

**Vexar** · 05-21-2009, 09:02 PM

The first one is just too bright for me. Sure it catches the eye, but that's just a bit much. The last is too dark. The second is my favorite, nice cool colors... It helps me feel like I won't get a headache trying to read the magazine.

**LadynRed** · 05-21-2009, 09:46 PM

I have to vote for #1 too, the others are just too dark. If I saw the 3 covers on a news stand, I'd go for #1 before the others, it draws the eye.

question - does the red butterfly on #1 have a drop shadow of any kind on it ? It doesn't look as if it does and it needs a bit of shadow for a more realistic look.

**lemondime** · 05-22-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vexar

The first one is just too bright for me. Sure it catches the eye, but that's just a bit much. The last is too dark. The second is my favorite, nice cool colors... It helps me feel like I won't get a headache trying to read the magazine.

I feel ya' on number one being too bright. Maybe that's what I'm not too happy about. Thanks for the input Vexar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

I have to vote for #1 too, the others are just too dark. If I saw the 3 covers on a news stand, I'd go for #1 before the others, it draws the eye.

question - does the red butterfly on #1 have a drop shadow of any kind on it ? It doesn't look as if it does and it needs a bit of shadow for a more realistic look.

Good eye! That butterfly did not have a shadow and will need to correct that. Thanks for the post LadynRed.

So far number one is in the lead.

**LadynRed** · 05-22-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Good eye! That butterfly did not have a shadow and will need to correct that. Thanks for the post LadynRed.

You're welcome. I do digital scrapbooking, so I'm fussy about having things look realistic

.

**angele803** · 05-22-2009, 11:43 AM

#1 is my favorite too.

**willcode4beer** · 05-22-2009, 12:06 PM

Yoda says:
Difficult is, design with bright colors
great, your skill must be, for success

**Giselle** · 05-22-2009, 02:06 PM

Hello Lemondime,

They are all quite beautiful, but my choice would be definitely number 1, I love vibrant colors, the background and the butterflies are so tastefully done. Beautiful work!

**lemondime** · 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

You're welcome. I do digital scrapbooking, so I'm fussy about having things look realistic

.

Digital scrapbooking? Any samples? That sounds interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by angele803

#1 is my favorite too.

Thank you for your vote!

Quote:

Originally Posted by willcode4beer

Yoda says:
Difficult is, design with bright colors
great, your skill must be, for success

Ha! I actually read your reply out loud in a Yoda voice. Thanks for the laugh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giselle

Hello Lemondime,

They are all quite beautiful, but my choice would be definitely number 1, I love vibrant colors, the background and the butterflies are so tastefully done. Beautiful work!

Hello Giselle!

Thank you for your opinion. I really appreciate it and glad you like my work.

_________________________
What does everyone think of this revised version of number 1 below?

**vangogh** · 05-22-2009, 05:19 PM

For the most part I like the new version better. I'd suggest the background behind PSDMag either run the entire length of the page or not be there. I don't think it works as it is, though I wouldn't call it bad right now. Guess I think all or nothing would be stronger.

Otherwise I like the new version better. I didn't mention it above, but the text on the original was a little hard to read. It's improved now. The gradient on the gradient article is a nice detail. I had been thinking you could try marching ants somewhere near the selection tool article, but I have a hunch it might be too cheesy.

**lemondime** · 05-23-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

For the most part I like the new version better. I'd suggest the background behind PSDMag either run the entire length of the page or not be there. I don't think it works as it is, though I wouldn't call it bad right now. Guess I think all or nothing would be stronger.

Otherwise I like the new version better. I didn't mention it above, but the text on the original was a little hard to read. It's improved now. The gradient on the gradient article is a nice detail. I had been thinking you could try marching ants somewhere near the selection tool article, but I have a hunch it might be too cheesy.

I was playing around with the title background going the entire length and felt that it truncated the feel of the cover a little too much with the footer background. And without a background I felt that the title was losing the fight with the other headlines on the page for attention. So this version is kind of an in-between that solves my issues right now. I agree with you though, I feel it's neither great, nor bad.

I tried out the marching ants idea with the headline type and as a border and it did look a little too cheesy for my taste.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions Vangogh. I appreciate it.

**LadynRed** · 05-23-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Digital scrapbooking? Any samples? That sounds interesting.

Sure - www.digitalscrapbookplace.com - and my gallery is here:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...0&ppuser=27772

**lemondime** · 05-23-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

Sure - www.digitalscrapbookplace.com - and my gallery is here:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...0&ppuser=27772

Very nice. My favorite is "Bah Humbug!"

**LadynRed** · 05-23-2009, 07:28 PM

LOL.. me too

**zeruel** · 05-23-2009, 10:51 PM

I'd also vote for number 1. Very catchy and the colors are lively compare to #2 and 3. It's a PSD magazine, so I think, having a colorful and catchy cover is a good choice.

**davemies** · 05-24-2009, 01:45 AM

number one but needs a bit more contrast between background and butterflies - maybe take some saturation out of the sand or then apply some lighting/shadow effects to make it look slightly less flat

**lemondime** · 05-24-2009, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeruel

I'd also vote for number 1. Very catchy and the colors are lively compare to #2 and 3. It's a PSD magazine, so I think, having a colorful and catchy cover is a good choice.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemies

number one but needs a bit more contrast between background and butterflies - maybe take some saturation out of the sand or then apply some lighting/shadow effects to make it look slightly less flat

Not sure if you've seen, but post #12 has some updated changes that I've made which address the background, legibility of the text and some other layout issues I was having. Thanks for the post Davemies.