by MediaSlut (@MediaSlut) My choice of the best international magazine covers in MagLove this week:
- Bloomberg Businessweek
- Current
- GQ Portugal
- Time Out New York
- WIRED
INTERNATIONAL
Bloomberg Businessweek, 29 September 2014
This cover, screaming “EBOLA IS COMING”, gives me chills! The writing reminds me of messages written in blood found in horror movies — and, while the situation is certainly horrific, at the same time, the colours and textures in this cover have artistic merit.
A scary message, which should make people in the US (and other parts of the world) think hard…
Current, 24 September 2014
If you work on an outdoor/camping title, keep this cover as reference for possible future inspiration — one of those simple, brilliant and “Why didn’t I think of that?!” concepts.
GQ Portugal, October 2014
I wish I had insight into the sales of all titles and issues, as I think this issue of GQ Portugal would make a great case study. Why? Men’s titles are most popular when the cover model is 1) noticeable and 2) showing as much skin as possible. Yet this cover does the opposite — hiding all of her in freakish-looking blue material, and not making her face instantly recognisable [while still managing to be risqué, thanks to the wet t-shirt look — ed-at-large].
So I’m including this cover, not because it’s that “WOW”, but because it’s going against the grain.
It would be interesting to find out if the same (or more or less?) copies are sold because of this risky move.
Time Out New York, 2 October 2014
For the second week in a row, I’m including Time Out New York on this list. That’s probably the great thing about weekly titles, but it makes it more amazing if, week after week, they produce catchy and creative covers deserving of a spot.
The editorial team should sell what it’s giving to its creative teams — gazillions could be made!
WIRED, October 2014
This issue made me stop and think — you have to take time to make sure you’re reading it right.
This is how I read it: “WIRED – The Design Issue” and then “Wrong Theory – The Power of Imperfection”.
It’s not executed as obviously as I’ve seen with other titles, but it’s still smart, nonetheless.
Read the article in question here.
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MagLove by @MediaSlut is a regular slot featuring the best local and international magazine covers every week, recognising well thought-out, powerful and interesting (and hopefully all three-in-one) covers and celebrating the mix of pragmatism, creativity and personal taste that created each of them. The (for now anonymous) blogger behind MediaSlut knows way too much for his own good about media in South Africa, magazines in particular. His mission is to show when SA magazines fail but, most importantly, also when they succeed. If you’re looking for a library about SA magazines and news, this is your one-stop pitstop.
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