The Symbolic Transformation of Real Images in Designing Magazine Covers

Abstract

The symbolic transformation of real images in designing magazine covers is achieved through the technical processes employed by the designer for rhetorical purposes, which contribute to the intellectual processing by transforming a real image into a symbol that encapsulates its underlying meaning. This results in the creation of new elements and meanings for the image through fresh ideas in content, thus ensuring continuity and coherence in the magazine cover. Based on this, the researcher identified the research problem with the following question: What is the symbolic transformation of real images in designing magazine covers? The researcher defined the research objective as uncovering the symbolic transformation of real images in designing magazine covers. The most important findings reached by the researchers include the following: The symbolic transformation of real images is manifested through design processes by their ability to manipulate and distort, exaggerate, introduce unfamiliarity, integrate, and combine various stylistic features in their clear digital artistic effects in terms of size and eye-catching form. From the cover image, a message is conveyed to the recipient, addressing them and emphasizing through it that the main form of the cover has managed to leave a literal impact on the recipient by symbolizing the figure being referred to. This is also intended to directly clarify the impact of the form on the recipient, in order to convey the idea. As for the most important conclusions reached by the researcher in light of the research results, they are as follows: The symbolic transformation of real images dominates the magazine cover through design processes, utilizing manipulation, distortion, exaggeration, unfamiliarity, integration, composition, and diverse stylistic elements in its clear digital artistic effects, which have been referred to new meanings. The aim is to directly elucidate the impact of the form on the recipient to convey the idea.