Front cover for TYPO Magazine

Overall I like the clean cover design you have.

For readability I'm not a big fan of tipping titles on a cover and in this case (because of the 'p'] it is visually confusing. The "p" looks a bit like a "q" while also taking on the appearance of a "b" or flipped "d" after being tipped.

If the intent on the "p" is to play off of the word 'typo', which means "typographical error', then you might be able to explain why you choose to tip the title but I'm not convinced it's generally a good idea.

Also, is there a reason why you decided to put the same 'photo letters' next to each other? [Horseshoe & Magnet each representing "n" and swan and S Hook each "s". Also, why did you turn the church stain glass windows and brown tunnel upside down? Any reason for the same compass photo in two different spots?

From a layout standpoint the light blue squares aren't the same size as all of the photos and break the underlying grid in a way which is awkward. [Especially in the top right corner where they get extremely close to the photos]

Nice job lining up the words "5th Annual Typography Issue' with the row to the right.

I like the concept a lot.

I don't like the blue squares in the corners. I don't care for the blue in the word "typo"-- may just be a personal preference, but I don't like the hue. I also keep trying to read a hidden message in the photos (is there one?). There are two protractor things and there are two many similar shapes next to eachother. I might like to see it with another row of 4... with all letters of the alphabet (in order) and maybe a "!" and a "%" or something also...

I like the direction it's going but it needs some tweaking. Show us a revision!

I was a bit tired this morning when I looked at the cover design and completely missed what you've done with the images.

Pretty sweet 'hidden message' by spelling out "5th annual typography issue" in the images. I'm not sure how many others would immediately notice that but it's a nice concept. [just fix the duplicate compass image and avoid flipping photos to produce the U's]

I also see what you're trying to accomplish by misspelling the title "typo" but I'm not sure it sends a very positive message. It almost communicates "a book full of typographic errors" and your handling of the title reinforces the negative.

I can't say that I am a big fan. It is not a organized piece. The blue squares are unnecessary. And for a magazine which has the main focus of type, why would it need a special issue for type?

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I kind of agree with some of the people here but I liked your creativity and the fact that you went totally outside the box without losing notion of context. Maybe without the blue squares the "slightly hidden message" will have more impact. Good work over all.

hjdhovor

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Why do you keep sending these cryptic text messaging? GET a LIFE—please go back to MySpace and leave us creatives alone.

Now, back to the critique—Honestly? I love it. Overall, I think aesthetically it's awesome! I completely get the whole concept behind the switching of the "p" to "q." I think it works and what you're trying to convey is there. Which is the purpose, right?

I immediately grasped the spelling out of the pics to convey the words. Really cool. I think for what you're doing it for, it's appropriate. I hope you get a good grade/critique. Good luck.