You don’t have to be pretty, you don’t have to be famous and you don’t even have to be infamous. If you’re an illustrator, designer, photographer or artist, here’s some advice on how to get on the cover of a magazine, by those who already have…
Jack Hudson, illustrator: Various magazines, including The Skinny and Nomad Editions
Most of my promotional stuff has been online and through website showcases. I think once you've produced work for a few clients or magazines, you don't really know where people have seen or discovered your work. Obviously the more work for magazines you create (even if it's for free to begin with), the more likely you are to be spotted by other clients willing to pay.
I always think bold and colourful is the best way. It's a similar thing to record covers – I'm always more willing to pick up a CD or vinyl that's striking and stands out from the crowd.
The graduate showcase that It’s Nice That do every year was great exposure for my work and enabled me to start my freelance career. I'd also say that it's important not to rush and throw your work out there if you are not totally happy or comfortable with what you’re producing after university. I created my best piece of work in the last three weeks of uni and it managed to get me some decent commissions.
Nicolai Sclater, signwriter: Time Out
My advice would be to just do as much as you can to get your name out there. In the end it will pay off.
Time Out got in touch with me – I was living with my parents at the time. They asked me to do the cover; I don’t know how they found me and it felt a bit awkward to ask, so I just left it.
I got some tongue and groove – the sort of stuff you might put around the outside of your bath or around your kitchen and painted it all. The photographer came round with the art director and they took a series of photos of it, gradually messing it up as they went along.
I did it all in the day – the turn around for magazines is very quick.
Nicole Harley, graphic designer: Le Cool
It’s the first time I’ve ever got a cover. I approached it in quite a different way to a normal illustration. I looked at their previous covers, did my research and even tailored my style a bit. You want to express their look on the cover, as well as your own. What you do has to tie in with their brand. Don’t be afraid to ask them what kind of thing they want.
I got Le Cool every week for years. I knew what they liked, so felt comfortable coming up with ideas for them. Also, it’s a weekly magazine, so they produce a lot of covers. There is quite a high demand for artwork, which helps someone like me to get commissioned.
There are so many small magazines out there and you need to build up your portfolio to land a bigger project. Do your research, do stuff for free, approach new and emerging magazines and just keep trying.
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