Baking Magazine Step 17

 Choosing My Font

For my next blog I will be choosing the main font for my magazine. This font will be used for my table of contents and the recipes and instructions in the double page spread. I want to choose a simple font which will be easy to read but look nice at the same time. 

I ended up choosing between four fonts. The first one was Apple Symbols, which is clean and classic. The second option was Gill Sans, which looked modern and thicker, but still super readable. The third was Kohinoor Devanagari, which was pretty similar to the fourth one, but thinner letters. Finally, I considered Myriad Variable Concept.

After I crossed out the first font, it was a tough design to decide between the fourth or the third font because they were very similar. In the end, I chose Kohinoor Devanagari. I think it has the best height and boldness to keep my baking magazine sleek and simple to read. The font was perfect for making sure everything looks clean. 

Baking Magazine Step 16

 Food Photography

I am more than halfway to being able to finalize my baking magazine! But, before I can move on to making my desserts I have to get a better look at how to take photos for my magazine. This is important because it helps capture the image's best perspective and the audience will appeal more. The main factors of food photography is the lighting and composition. Understanding the elements will help create more appealing photos. 

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important parts of food photography. Soft lighting is mostly used when is comes to taking photo's of cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. A lot of big baking magazines like Bake From Scratch go for a bright natural look. For me, I want my cakes to have a natural glow and inviting feel. I'll be using soft, natural lighting to keep everything looking fresh without super harsh shadows or editing. My main goal is to highlight textures in a way that feels natural,  whether it's the buttercream frosting, or the edges of the gold brown banana bread. 

I included this photo to show how light plays a big role in enhancing the textures, and making the cake stand out. The natural light makes the cake look more flawless and home-baked with the sprinkles all over the table.

Composition 

Just like lighting, composition is equally as important in making desserts look their best. I plan to keep my shots simple and no clutter but just enough props to better enhance the look. Side angles will be perfect for my cakes/slight overhead view to show off the layers and inside. I love the slightly imperfect look that some magazines go for, with a few scattered crumbles or sprinkles on the plate/cake stand. In the end I want each image to capture deliciousness of the desserts, making them irresistible.

This is a overhead/tilted shot that shows the angle perfectly. Showing the layers with the details. 

I'm getting very close to taking the perfect photos for my magazine. By focusing on the lighting and composition, I'm excited to see what my photos will look like in the end.

Baking Magazine Step 15

Layout/Preliminary Sketches: Ad

After finishing the double-page spread, cover page, and table of contents, I moved on to the sketching of my last layout which will be my ad. It will be a ad for Pillsbury cake mix. Using a ingredient or well-known baking product was the top choices in my survey so I am making sure to promote it. I want the ad to look simple but grab the viewers attention. It was a little hard to figure out the layout unlike the other sketches but I came up with a idea in the end. It is important to find a way to make my ad encourage the reader to purchase. I related the item to cakes because I wanted to have a similar theme between the ingredient and the product. After multiple ideas I found the right layout that wasn't too cluttered or boring and showcased the product perfectly. 

For my Pillsbury ad sketch, I decided to include a kitchen counter to make the ad feel warm, inviting, and home related. I drew the kitchen counter with three boxes of cake mix on it, making sure the product was the main focus. Right next to the boxes, I added a cake mixer to show that you can use it to mix all the ingredients together.  

In the top left corner, I put "Pillsbury" in big bold letters as the main title to grab attention right away. Below that, I wrote the tagline, and made sure to add a link at the end of the text to make it easier for viewers to find it online if they would like to make a online purchase instead of going to a grocery store. Also, they can research the product if they want to find more information regrading the brand. In the top right corner I added text that says "NEW flavors to love!" to let people know the end is for new flavor options and several types. 

I wanted the layout to be simple but not boring, showing the product clearly while making it feel easygoing and warm. The idea was to make readers think that baking can be fun and effortless, while encouraging them to buy cake mix. 

 

Baking Magazine Step 14

Layout/Preliminary Sketches: Table of Contents 

After finishing the double page spread, I started to sketch how I want the table of contents to look for my baking magazine. I wanted it to be super simple with a larger image than text. I also wanted to ensure it was easy to follow and very welcoming. I tried a few different layouts and found that I liked the one below that I sketched the best.

At the top of the page I have "Contents" sketched in big letters. I included a baker's hat on the 'O' so it has a little more detail but still very simple. Below it I have a mixing bowl with a whisk inside making it appeal more to home bakers by stating that all you need is a bowl and a whisk to get started with making any cake recipe. I separated the image on the left side and included the text on the right as you can see. I feel like separating them from each other will make the viewers look at both sides and acknowledge them equally. In the end I really liked how this sketch turned out and I can't wait to recreate it in my baking magazine!

Baking Magazine Step 13

Layout/Preliminary Sketches: Double Page Spread 

After doing my table of contents, I moved on to sketching a double-page spread for my baking magazine. This part was fun because I got to design the layout and figure out where to place everything so it looks simple but not over super crowded. I had to organize the recipes, images, and text so that the spread looked visually appealing while still being easy to follow and read. I wanted to make that sure that each part had its own space without having too much of something. 

On the left side of my spread, I included recipes for  the Berry Pavlova Roll and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. To make the page more fun and engaging, I added a cloth behind the banana bread and a plate in the background with a slice. For the roll I am going to add some extra berries for it to look more home based and less perfect. I wanted playful elements to make the pages feel more inviting, so beneath each image, I included a banner graphic that has the bake time and the number of servings for each recipe. 
 

For each dessert on both the left and right sides of the spread, I included a clear list of ingredients, with a section labeled "Method," where I'll include step by step directions to guide the readers through the baking process. 

On the right side of my spread, I kept the overall design the same but made a few changes. Since the page only features one recipe I added a larger image to make it stand out more. Instead of using a table cloth or adding imperfections, I will make the cake look more clean and finished to show that experienced bakers can also make the recipe. I placed the title below the image before I listed the ingredients. I did this because the dessert in the photo was large and I didn't want my title to cover any part of it. In addition, I added the method on the right hand side of the ingredients so It would be easier to follow along, and added a little digital pin board displaying the time and severing size to differentiate form the left hand side of the spread. 

To make the page even more useful to readers, I added a "Trips & Tricks" column to the left side of the image, giving helpful baking advice. To make it more visually appealing I will add a little image that corresponds with one of the tricks & tricks to give the readers more inspiration for their own baking.

Overall, I'm really happy with how this spread is coming together! The graphics and layout makes is easy to follow and loo nice. 

Baking Magazine Step 12

 Layout/Preliminary Sketches: Cover Page

Designing the cover of my baking magazines is one of the most exciting steps so far in this process. Since the cover is what people look at first, I wanted to make sure it stands out instantly and grabs attention. I sketched out a rough draft of the layout, thinking about where to place the title, main image, and smaller details like the cover lines and additional images. I want the magazine name  to stand out, but not overpower the rest of the cover page and cake display. I had to ind the perfect balance for the layout. 

One of my favorite details is how I added the cake slice in the back. I am planning to take a photo of the main cake and the have the slice in the back so people can be more visuals, this will make them find it more appealing. Also, the 'Just One More Slice' in big letters for the masthead perfectly matches the vibe of page. I decided to place the cake to the right ride so it stands out but still leaves space for the other images and text. One of the more difficult parts was deciding on the cover line on the left so they are noticeable but easy to read. I want them to be engaging and make people want to flip through the magazine. I included a little of everything. On the top I outlined a few different desserts the magazine features. I also included phrases like "Your ultimate guide to delicious desserts" or "Cakes for every occasion". When picking these phrases I played around with the fonts, sizes, and styles to make certain words pop more than others. I ensured I included enough elements, but not so much that it would be cluttered and too much. Everything needs to work together to create a professional and enjoyable look. 

Seeing my front cover sketch come together made it feel more real! Even though this is just a rough draft, it helped me envision what works and what needs adjusting. Now, I can start thinking about the design, and choosing what's going to go on in the table of contents/double page spreads. I can't wait to bring it all to life and see my magazine come together like I imagined. 

Baking Magazine Step 11

 Color Research

For my next step in this process I have to decide the colors for my magazine. I plan to keep my cover page, table of contents, and double page spread all in the same color scheme. Considering this a summer/beachy/coastal edition I will be doing several colors. Now, I have to research the types of colors I want to include in my baking magazine. The specific shades can actually change a lot and appeal the audience more or less depending on the connotation. Softer shades can make the magazine seem more warm and welcoming while brighter shades attract the viewers to pay attention at something or make it seem fun/exciting. 

Softer Shades:

When picking colors I kept in mind the theme of my baking magazine. I looked at a bunch of different colors and these shades of blue stood out more than the other ones. I went with lighter blues to create a calm and warm vibe. I'm definitely drawn to these colors because they all go together nicely and I want my magazine to show that when sticking to my theme. 

More Soft Shades: 

In addition, I also thought about other colors outside the blues to have extra variety. Since summer is considered to be a fun and shiny season, I saw these colors as a good way to incorporate that. Even though I already have soft colors, I can always mix and match If I have more options, I am still not sure if I am set on which colors I like the most, but these color palettes definitely serve as a outline.

Bright Shades:

For my bright shades, I chose colors like navy, berry purple, brighter pink, and golden yellow to make the magazine feel bold and exciting. At first, I didn't really like the idea of using super bright colors but that changed when I did my research because brighter colors make specific things stand out more. In my opinion I don't think props, and the ad page would really go with any of these colors but looking back after my research I could definitely make it work. I have to ensure I don't use too much bright colors so I don't overpower text and images, as well as take attention away from my background props and main dessert images. 

In the end, I want my magazine to feel warm, inviting, fun, and capture attention. Using a mix of all three palettes will defiantly achieve that purpose. Although I am not 100% set on these color's they are a good outline of the many colors I can incorporate in my baking magazine. 

Baking Magazine Step 10

 Double Page Spread Props

Now that I've finished the props for my cover page, it's time to focus on the double-page spread . This section will feature the recipes, so I wanted to ensure the props not only enhance the visuals but also tie everything together. Iv'e already chosen some great recipes for my article and now I just need to figure out the best way to make the spread look engaging for my audience. 

The Desserts:

For my article on recipes, I'll feature three Summer/Coastal themed cakes. Since my cover image showcases a large cake and the masthead "Just One More Slice", adding more cakes will ensure a balance on the treats I am focusing on throughout the magazine. 

The first dessert will be a pavlova roll with a creamy filling and fruit. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside this delicious dessert will satisfy everyone's tastebuds. The Meringue cake will have a whipped cream thick filling with berries. Also, it will topped with more berries on the top. I'll include the cake, with a slice on the side so the inside will be revealed. The cake will be be finished with some lemon zest on top of the berries to add more color and make the dessert look more appealing, adding a tangy taste along with the sweetness. 

Next, I'll include a recipe for banana bread. The banana bread will have mini chocolate chips inside and garnished with banana slices. The outside will look golden brown, while the inside will be soft. 

Lastly, I'll feature a vanilla sponge cake that has white cream-cheese filling and strawberries inside. On the outside it will also have a cream-cheese frosting. For decorations I will add edible sugar seashells/starfish, etc.. to match my coastal theme better.

The Displays:

The next step was to figure out how I want to display the three cakes. I did some looking at different double page baking magazine spreads and realized that having all my cakes on cake stands would look too repetitive so I am going to put my banana bread on a different platform instead. A cutting board would be the perfect option so I can dust it will some powdered sugar (maybe) and place my banana bread on it. For my two other cakes I will still stick to the cake stands to make them look presentable and stand-out, but equally making the banana bread look different and appealing compared to the other cakes.

Banana Bread on cutting board inspiration:

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/best-ever-banana-bread/

Cakes on cake stand inspiration:

https://beatrizball.com/products/vida-alegria-pedestal-cake-plate-white?srsltid=AfmBOoou4iCX4g7Oq8LMG7StqsgRgsMqyIsXzIYwg8MOgMFl2YOzYx3F

The Background:

For the background, I want to keep it simple while still adding a festive lifestyle touch. I plan to include fruits to give off a fresh feeling and the beach themed decorations. My goal is to create a subtle, themed backdrop that enhances the overall look without being too distracting. 

Baking Magazine Step 9

 Cover Page Props

I've done my research, and now it's finally time to pick the props for my baking magazine's front cover. The props and backdrops can break or make the vibe. Whether I want it to look colorful, sleek, or fun I want the cover to stand out and really match the theme of the magazine, so I have to figure out what will look the best. 

The dessert: 

When I sent out my survey, the top choice for the main image was a cake. I want my cake to stand out, with many decorations like in the examples below. After some thought, I have decided on a Lemon Blueberry Cake. It'll have frosting in between the layers and garnished with blueberries for the extra pop of color. In the inspiration's, one cake is whole and the other is sliced open. I decided to go with a sliced cake so my readers can see the layers and elements inside the delicious cake.  

https://gb.readly.com/magazines/bake-and-decorate/2023-02-02?srsltid=AfmBOorb-3-yUfLzjqN5oiypzkjpgL3XmmnKsjGm7MR0f-iJGo83ip_6

https://bakefromscratch.com/product/july-august-2021/

Display:

Next, I need to think about how to display my cake in a way which makes it look presentable and appealing. A cake stand is the perfect choice to make it the centerpiece of the cover. While researching baking magazines, I saw that the features about cakes mostly used white cake stands. I'll be doing the same because the white won't take away from my cake's color scheme. One example is shown below. 

https://magazineshop.us/products/french-baking-bake-from-scratch-83-recipes-with-french-flair?srsltid=AfmBOooRmMSxIdL_jFwmBKLAHypq-X2IIr-aEDkgrNPfkrlLy3op7wWd

Background: 

In baking magazines, background props play a huge role in making the cover even more appealing. Small details are very important. Ingredients used in the dessert are often used displayed on the cover. For my baking magazine i'll include blueberries/lemon slices in the background since they are a key part of my cake. As for the backdrop, I've decided to go with white/cream background. Keeping it simple will ensure I don't take away from the main cake/other graphics/text I want to include. I'm taking inspiration from my magazine below.

https://online.fliphtml5.com/xlry/yhdv/files/large/3c6e81c8417be1d55459d455c699bea7.webp?1727659161

Baking Magazine Step 8

 Model Research 

The next step of my baking magazine is to focus on finding models that reflect what I am going for. I looked at three different baking magazines which were awarded 'best'. I then analyzed what I saw in them. Here is a look at my findings. 

1)

The first model above is from 'Delicious'. I chose this model because it is friendly to beginners and advanced bakers of any kind. With mouthwatering treats and different ways to enjoy all the foods you bake, there's the latest baking utensils and gadgets to help people step up their game in the kitchen. Additionally, there is seasonal desserts and step-by-step guides on how to create the most delicious treats which is something I want to implement in my own baking magazine. In the model above I really like how the decorations aren't "perfect" it makes it look simple and clean but not messy at the same time. 

2)

The second model above is from 'Baking Heaven', one of UK's best selling baking magazines. With over 101 recipes to follow every issue, it shows passion for baking simple, at home treats that keep make you come back for more. I chose this specific magazine model because it offers a good overlook of a successful baking magazine and what elements are included in it. The model has features such as non-centered masthead, big image, and arrow detailing the dessert which I really like.

3)

The third model I chose was from 'Cakes and Sugarcraft'. Since this specific magazine focuses on cakes I chose it for inspiration since my own magazine will be about cakes. This magazine features several tips and tricks to create a fun and enjoyable baking environment for all. Some things I really like in this model above is the color coordination to the feature. The model is Easter inspired and that is very noticeable from the elements. 

https://pocketmags.com/us/magazine-articles/the-5-best-baking-magazines?srsltid=AfmBOoqcXjGSsCTvs9P6QQALIGDahQyHGKbjcGAjOhEZkply21QB1FPB

Baking Magazine Step 7

 Masthead

For my next blog post I decided to create my masthead. The masthead is one of the first things people will see on a magazine cover, so I want to make sure it stands out. I looked at different fonts, colors, and styles to find the right fit. I'll share how I made my choice and my inspiration which got me there. 

Inspiration:

When looking at different mastheads from other magazines I realized that most baking magazines have a simple and clean font for the masthead. I think this helps the background stand out more and create a more welcoming feel for the viewers. There also tends to be a lot of graphics on the cover so it helps the masthead stand out without taking away from the main representation of the images. 

Font Choices:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

These were my top five choices for the masthead. It was difficult to choose because they are all similar, clean, and simple. The two I liked the most,  along with some of my peers were #3 and #4. 

Final Decisions:

My final decision ended up being #4 which is called 'Cinzel'. When I was envisioning my magazine I felt like this font would fit the best on the cover. I also thought that since I am doing a lifestyle style, #4 would be the perfect choice to stand out. On the other hand, #3 felt a little more playful to match my vision.  

   

After I chose my font I was deciding whether my baking magazine masthead would look better in all caps or not. But when I put them next to each other I thought all caps would look better. Being the first one out of the two images above.

Lastly, I started to think about the color of my masthead. As of right now I don't have a definite decision but I know that I want it to be white, blue, cream, or off-white since it will be a coastal/summer/beachy issue. 

Baking Magazine Step 6

 Audience Profile 

My magazine will be all about baking, so I did some research to figure out who baking magazines are made for and what type of audience appeal to them. I put together a Canva presentation to explain the different groups of people who are interested in baking, like their age, what they like to bake, and why they love it.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHASlxCtGA/-OrlsLntxzQ_GYbc9-Oe8A/edit?utm_content=DAHASlxCtGA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Sources:

https://finsburyfoods.co.uk/bakery-trends-for-2026/

https://www.puratos.com/blog/how-artisanal-bakers-can-meet-the-latest-consumer-trends

https://www.dawnfoods.com/insights/bakery-consumer-trends-2025-2026

https://www.cakerywonderland.com/blogs/news/the-future-of-baking-in-2026-and-beyond

Baking Magazine Step 5

 Research/Survey 

The next step of creating my baking magazine is to create a poll and send it out to people. In my survey I will ask people about their opinion on what they would like to see in my magazine. This is important because it lets me know what people want to read about or what types of graphics they would find visually appealing. This will allow me to get more attention and encourage people to read my magazine.  I was able to get 55 responses from my survey. I also decided that my magazine will be a Summer/Coastal/Beachy edition with different types of cakes. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbrCAQ2GotOx8sKFS8tzv4Kot6kAoLrZftp6hrIwh-vSLpmg/viewform?usp=header

As you can see the winner of this poll was "Blues" with 41.8%. I'm happy that this got the most votes because it was personally my favorite option. I think the use of multiple blues will fit my baking magazine very well. This color scheme will give off a elegant, lifestyle, and calm vibe when the audience is reading the magazine and looking at the recipes. The second most popular vote was "Creams" with 27.3%, but it wasn't even close enough to compete. The other colors didn't really get much support, so they didn't stand out as much. Overall, I'm happy with these results and I think the top two were good choices. Implementing both would be a good option to stand out and have variety. 

This question was about the preferred style for the magazine. Lifestyle was the top choice, with 38.2%. This shows that most people enjoy the aesthetic lifestyle, positive vibe. In addition, I think it is important to implement a equal balance between the graphics and the text. Too much of one thing could throw off the audience and make the magazine look overcrowded in certain parts. The style's which received the least votes were playful an modern. Meaning that a clean and simple style is more appealing for this audience. Based on the results, I'll go with the a lifestyle style that combines graphics with a balanced amount of text. 

I asked the people who took the survey to share their age range, and the results were close between two age groups. 16-22 received a 41.8%, while 32+ received a 43.6%. These results make sense because I posted the survey on Instagram and Facebook. I did this because I knew that the target audience for a baking magazine was around these ages. While I think that 32+ is a more common age range for people who purchase baking magazines, since Instagram has a younger age base, it is obvious why the results were close. Given that the age range of 32+ got a higher %, I will keep that in mind when setting the tone for my magazine. 

The next question asked which brands they'd like to see featured in the magazine. The results were very clear. Brands that made baking props came out in the top with 42.6%. I am not that happy with this result because I think brands that make ingredients should have got a larger vote %. Brands that make kitchen appliances got the least amount of votes with 27.8%, making me realize the audience would prefer to see something else. Overall, although baking props came in as 1st place. I would like to implement a famous brand that focuses on making good, high quality ingredients. 

I asked the readers which font style would look best for the magazine. "Range of sizes" got the highest vote with 58.2%, making it stand out from the other three options. I think having different fonts/text styles is very important in a baking magazine to convey the tone you want your audience to feel. A mix of boldness with cursive/thin fonts combined would be strong. Based on this, I'll go with fonts that are somewhat different and have different sizes to give it more personality and make it pop!

I wanted to know what type of ad my viewers would prefer to see in the magazine, and the results were obvious. Baking ingredients were the most popular, with 56.4% of the votes. Baking tools came in second place with 38.2%. Although this may be true, baking tools might be a better fit for my magazine. I will also include dessert toppings along with the baking tools. 

In the results above it is seen that most people preferred the dessert to be displayed on a cake stand with a 58.2%. This makes sense because cake stands make desserts look extra special. On a cutting board, plate, and counter all got less then 30%, showing people like to see more extraordinary placements instead of simple/basic. So, based on the results, a cake stand seems like the best choice for the cover.

When planning the editorial features for my magazine, I wanted to see what viewers would be the most interested in. The results showed that tips and tricks and recipes had similar results. Recipes had 43.6% and Tips and Tricks had 54.5%. Since the %'s for both are close to each other I think implementing both would be a good outcome to have a variety of what everyone wants to see.

When deciding what should be featured on the front of my magazine, this poll asked what people would be most excited to see. The results above showed that cakes were the top choice, with 50.9% of votes, while cookies being somewhat close at 30.9%. Brownies got 10.9%, while cheesecake didn't get enough votes to stand out. Since the cover image plays a big role in grabbing attention, I wanted to make sure it was something people would love. With cakes having the most votes it seems like the best choice for the front page especially since they can be decorated in so many fun and creative ways to match the theme of the issue. 

The next question was what people would want to see in the background of the cover image. I decided to ask this because I feel like it is important to add props in the back to make the main image more appealing. This poll showed that Summer/Coastal themed baking props had the highest vote compared to the other options. I think this is a good option for my baking magazine because it is summer/beachy/coastal edition. The option of having nothing got no votes which I think is good because having something in the background definitely makes the front more fun and appealing. 

The last question I asked was about the magazine name. As you can see the winner of this poll was "Just one more slice" with 58.2%. I'm happy that this got the most votes because it was my top choice. I think it will do a good job of fitting my theme. The second most popular was "Coastal Bakes", but it wasn't close enough to really compete. The other names didn't get much support, so they didn't stand out as much at all. Overall, I'm happy with the results and I think this would be a good choice to implement in my own magazine.