SpaceNews Magazine Cover

Concept & Inspiration
This editorial cover was created for a fictional issue of SpaceNews, highlighting the growing influence of private companies in space exploration. Inspired by retro-futuristic visuals and children’s toy aesthetics, the rocket and stars offer a whimsical take on a serious topic. The goal was to blend playful 3D visuals with a sharp, professional layout—creating something that stands out on a newsstand while sparking curiosity.

3D Modeling Process (Cinema 4D)

The main rocket, coins, and dollar bills were modeled in Cinema 4D using basic shapes and subdivision modeling for a clean, cartoon-like feel. I added simple textures to mimic plastic or painted wood, enhancing the toy-like aesthetic. Lighting was set up using a soft three-point light system, and physical render was used to keep shadows smooth and stylized. Final assets were rendered and exported to be composited with text in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.

Changed the background here just for fun.

Sketch & Concept Development

The process began with thumbnail sketches to brainstorm composition, perspective, and cover elements. I experimented with rocket angles, background props (like stars), and how to integrate money to emphasize commercial influence in space. These early sketches helped visualize the hierarchy of elements before moving into 3D.

Design Choices

Typography: A bold, condensed headline font contrasts with a serif subheading to balance modern energy and editorial credibility.
Color Palette: The use of red, blue, and gold mimics patriotic and futuristic themes while maintaining strong visual contrast.
Layout: The rocket is angled dynamically across the page to guide the viewer’s eye from the logo to the main article and supporting blurbs.

Initial Concept Sketches – Rough thumbnails to explore layout and theme ideas.

Refined Cover Composition – Focused sketch that narrowed down visual hierarchy and rocket placement.

Modeling the Rocket – Building the core 3D rocket form using basic shapes.

Adding Details & Textures – Fins, coins, dollar bills, and toy-inspired surfaces.

Adding Details & Textures – Finalizing Textures and colors

Lighting & Camera Setup – Scene staging with soft lighting and dynamic camera angles.

Usage Scenario

This cover would be used for a print or digital edition of SpaceNews, placed on shelves, websites, or newsstands. It could also be repurposed for social media previews or feature banners on news platforms focused on science, technology, or aerospace.