Esquire Magazine Cover Essay

During the 1960s, the value of beauty and physical appeal unexpectedly increased during political debates. Several graphic designers recognized this new appreciation and used magazine covers and other forms of communication to portray its significant growth in America. In the year of 1968, art director and designer George Lois created an iconic cover for Esquire magazine’s May issue (Figure 1). Crafted as a photomontage, the cover features Richard E. Nixon getting prepped and pampered by several beauticians while resting with his eyes close. Using Lois’s famous Esquire cover as a case study, I will research how graphic designers epitomized the new power of beauty and its influence on many Americans’ views of important political figures.

Instead of a wrinkled man powerless to cosmetic items, this man was much younger-looking and dignified. TIME magazine published their August 16, 1968 issue with republican candidates Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew on the cover (Figure 2). The two men proudly hold hands in the air behind a while standing behind podium underneath the caption, “The G.O.P. Ticket”. Nixon looks overjoyed amid his white smile and looks almost ten years younger than his picture on the May 1968 Esquire cover. Likewise, on November 19, 1968 Life magazine comes out with an issue with Nixon on the cover alongside the caption, “The Nixon Era Begins” (Figure 3). Although Nixon’s head is nearly the exact size and at an equal angle as the one in Lois’ cover, this Nixon is rather dapper and takes on the role of a powerful leader. He even has the official Seal of the President of the United States stamped in the bottom corner, overlapping his suit collar. Compared to George Lois’ Esquire cover, the TIME and Life covers praise Nixon and characterize him as a likeable and genuine candidate. Meanwhile, Lois’ cover depicted a different Nixon- a less dominant