TIME magazine have always wanted the cover of their magazines to reflect the biggest and most talked about issues at the time (Ah, we see what they did there). What we wanted to give them praise for are the covers they design for their issues. These covers have always maintained an iconic look that maintained a few recognisable design elements but sometimes, they will shake things up to make a statement. However those moments don’t come by very often and when they do, it’s time to take notice. But first, a little about how the covers are designed.
The design elements that simply make TIME instantly recognisable is their logo, its position and their red border. Apart from this, they aren’t too finicky about what they are willing to use to communicate their images. Illustrations, photography, photo manipulation and graphic design are used to make their covers. One thing that does stay consistent is that the covers always make you think twice about what’s going on in the world. And they aren’t afraid to be bold to create that thought.
The image for this cover presents both the humans in black and white. Quite a stark contrast to the use of rainbow colours often associated with the LGBTQ community. Sometimes, they make you dig a little deeper which can make the overall design shine a little more. How far deeper? Not too far, just enough to make you follow the cover story into the magazine.
Once you’re in, you’re treated to an image that has the same element you saw on the cover. This is how they make you connect to something within the magazine itself. Does it help to explain the cover image any better? It might.
Still confused? The article relating to the cover image is about how some people let anxiety get to them and how others use anxiety to their advantage. The same thing affects two characters in different ways. You could be the third person, the one you saw before on the cover. To understand why we appreciate this so much, here’s a quote that explains our appreciation for this work:
If we were to judge TIME magazine by their covers, we’d say that reading their magazine will make you aware of the state of the world. It’s just fantastic the way their covers blend elements of the real world into their imagery. The one below is a great use of real world geography in the design.
One thing you should know is that TIME magazine isn’t the same the world over. Their cover can change depending on which part of the world their magazine is being circulated in. The US version of TIME can be decidedly different from what the rest of the world sees.
Image from www.davidairey.com
Though there are other times that every edition across the world gets a different cover. This shows great flexibility on their part and a willingness to have various covers be reflective of various societies.
Image from www.davidairey.com
If something significant happens, TIME is willing to alter their design guidelines to as a reaction to an event. The most notable one is a change from their iconic red border to a much darker tone. This was done for a special issue meant to cover the 9/11 Twin Towers destruction in 2001. Notice how the date moved away from its normal position in the border to be in between the two towers.
Similarily, in 2008, TIME had another special issue. The cover had a green border, a green logo and a reimagining of Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, a Pulitzer Prize Winning photograph clicked by Joe Rosenthal. They sought to address an issue that the world needs to pay attention to; climate change and the environment. With TIME, it takes a special issue to receive a special cover.
Though the cover that we wanted to bring to your attention is not from a special issue and yet TIME still created a special cover. It depicts St. Basil’s Cathedral in Russia forming where The White House in the United States of America once stood.
Normally, in terms of the skill required to create this image, it’s on par with what TIME have exposed us to so far. What made this stand out is that this is the first time that TIME magazine included no words on the image residing within their iconic borders. Even the 9/11 cover had the date mentioned in text within the image.
There have been examples in the past of TIME’s covers using only a few words, or ‘only a little copy’ to deliver a strong message but maybe this is TIME’s way of saying that the times are changing and they’re changing with it. Or perhaps that every so often, a picture does speak a thousand words though if you want a few more, you could read the article. It’s about how Russians used social media to influence Americans and sway voters with fake news.
TIME magazine has always been one to push the boundaries with what they do. This only makes us wonder what will they do next?
This blog can be addictive. We know you must be craving more so here’s more:
All magazine cover photos from TIME.
