Behind the Cover: How Janelle Monáe Found Her Voice

A new video series goes inside the process for creating the award-winning covers of The New York Times Magazine. This week, the singer comes into focus.

Gail Bichler, design director: “In this week’s cover story on Janelle Monáe, Jenna Wortham describes how the singer, who long performed under an alter ego, now wants to express herself more authentically. So we decided to show Monáe emerging from a pink fog — as if she’s stepping forward, finally becoming clear.”

Read the cover story, “How Janelle Monáe Found Her Voice.”

Cover photo illustration by Bráulio Amado. Source photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic, via Getty Images.