Practical - Cover Developments

Representing Community and Intersectionality

Lucy Lippard has written that feminist design involves 'expressing oneself as a member of a larger unity, or community, so that in speaking for oneself one is also speaking for those who cannot speak' 'The Pink Glass Swan' p178. From research it has been made clear that to representing a community of women is essential when making a feminist magazine. It needs to show intersectional values from the outset and not alienate any minority.

Because of this, it felt important to have a cover that didn't include an image of one women. This would negate from the intersectional theme and unintentionally side itself with women of one ethnicity or body type. Instead I developed designs that involved fruit, which is used within one of the features of the magazine.

The fruit represent diversity and non-exclusivity, illustrating a community of objects all of different appearance interacting together. The bright colours on the pink mean that the image is bold and interesting, especially with the overlaying illustrations. From feedback this was certainly the most successful cover, described as 'professional but still playful'. Which is incredibly important for feminist magazines, in order to retrain interest but to also be taken seriously.

For the back cover I wanted something simple and bold, focusing on names of the articles and the authors, similar to how Riposte approaches its front cover.

'We wanted a cover which was bold, something that focused on the women in the magazine and what they had to say, rather than what they looked like.' - Danielle Pender (editor of Riposte)

So I decided to make it a bold and simple yellow, which would hopefully hold the viewers attention.Then in order to maintain consistency, I experimented with the Headstrong logo written in the same yellow. This meant it was unusual and striking, it particularly worked well with the image of fruit that used corresponding colours for the illustrations; matching the yellow used on the apple.

For magazines to still be considered relevant within fourth-wave feminism they need to be just as visually stimulating as digital media. Using bright, simple designs is one way to achieve this. It particularly allows the information to be the central focus too.