magazine cover design and layout A powerful magazine cover is vital if you want to attract people to view your periodical. Many authors and companies spend countless hours preparing a publication, only to slap a cover together at the end that was built on their office PC. This is a huge mistake. Although some desktop programs can simulate a nice looking cover for a school project, professional magazine design is actually a specialized field, and for good reason. It can be the key to attracting your target audience.