AS Media Studies Induction - Making a
Magazine Cover
1) Open Adobe Photoshop Elements located in programs.
2) Click Edit and Enhance Photos.
3) Go to file > new > blank file > then you must choose the page size which should be A4. Call your
document `magazine cover’ > click OK.
4) Now you have your page to work on you must create a layer. Layers are used so that you can edit and
create different parts of the page.
Click Layer > new > and then you have the choice to name layer 1. Name this layer `model’, so that
you can refer back to it later if you need to.
5) Now open all of the images using Adobe Photoshop so they appear in your photo bin at the bottom of
the page (do this by going to File > open > double clicking on each image). Click on the photo named
‘picture to cut’. Make sure that the layer ‘model’ is selected - it will be highlighted in blue! Then you
must drag the image to the layer.
To adjust the photo’s size press ctrl + T at the same time. You will now be able to adjust it
by dragging the corners. Then press ‘enter’ or the tick at the top of the screen when you
are happy with it.
6) Now it is time to cut the model out to create a plain white background which you will see on most
conventional magazines.
To cut the model precisely and smoothly you will need to use the
Magnetic lasso tool which is situated on the left hand tool bar
which looks similar to the one you would use on Microsoft paint.
Tip: The magnetic lasso looks a bit like a coat-hanger so it’s easier to find!
You then need to drag the tool all the way
around the model, as this will be the part you
want to cut out.
When you have made it all the way around the model, back to where the
tool started, you need to click. A broken line should then appear around
what you have selected. You will then need to right click and then ‘Layer
via Cut’. A new layer will then be created of the model without the green
background.
7) You then need to select the layer with the green background, which
should be called ‘model’ and press delete.
You should then be left with the model on a plain white background.
‘Layer 1’ should now be selected.
8) You will now need to press ctrl + T which will enable you to reduce the
model in size, to make room for the magazines masthead (title). And
press enter or the tick, just like you did earlier.
9) Now you are ready to add the masthead. Create another new layer and call it ‘masthead’. Then select
the layer on the right hand ‘layer’ list, and drag the ‘masthead’ file from the photo bin on to the layer.
You may then need to edit the size of the masthead by click ctrl + T. You will also need to move it,
until it looks like this.
10) Now it’s time to add the barcode. Similar to the masthead, you will need to create a new layer and
call it ‘Barcode’, then drag the barcode from the photo bin. Make sure
that the ‘barcode’ layer is selected! Once again you made need to press
ctrl + T to adjust the size or the position. You should then position it in
the bottom right hand corner like so...
11) Now it’s time to add the cover lines. Cover lines tell you what’s in the
magazine, trying to persuade readers to buy it. We will need to add text
to do so you click the T on the left hand toolbar and create a text box.
Either copy the text as seen below or make up your own cover line.
You can then choose from a variety of fonts
which is similar to how you would on Microsoft
word.
You can then move the text by pressing
ctrl + T
By putting it in the bottom left hand corner
it will look more like a professional
magazine.
12) You will then need to do the same again to add the date
13) And again to add the price!
And there you have it...
Your very own magazine cover! Save your
work as a jpeg file ready to upload onto your
blog in September.