"Happiful has always been about diverse perspectives": a chat with our illustrator Rosan Magar

Happiful covers have always been more than just a front page. For us, they capture a feeling in the way only images can.

But, for our upcoming issue landing on 1 May, we decided to do something... a little different.

For the first time ever, we invited a guest artist to design our cover page, bringing a new perspective to our much-loved artwork. It felt like a natural step — a way to celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the power of seeing things differently. But we were also curious: how would our resident illustrator, Rosan, feel about the change?

We caught up with him to find out...

Q: What were your initial thoughts when you learned another artist would be designing a Happiful cover?

A: “At first, I felt a bit unsure, especially because I care a lot about how the covers look and feel. For me, things like colour and how everything flows together are really important, so I wondered how another artist would approach that.

“I was also curious to see their style and how they would bring their own ideas to it. And, alongside that, there was genuine excitement! Happiful has always been about diverse perspectives, and inviting another artist felt like an opportunity to see the magazine through a fresh lens.”

Q: What are your thoughts now the cover is finalised?

A: “Now that I’ve seen the final cover, I feel really positive about it! It’s interesting to see how another artist has approached it in their own way. It fits with Happiful, but brings something totally new for us, which I think is really important.”

That balance of staying true to what makes Happiful recognisable, while embracing something new, is at the heart of this special issue.

It’s also something that has always shaped Rosan’s own approach to illustrating each cover.

Q: What inspires you when you’re creating the cover image for Happiful?

A: “I’m mostly inspired by the feeling behind the themes featured in the issue itself. I try to think about how people might be experiencing it in real life and turn that into something visual.

“I also take inspiration from nature, emotions, and simple everyday moments. I want the cover to feel calm, relatable, and meaningful.”

That intention to create something that resonates softly, but deeply, is part of why our covers have become so loved by readers over the years. And while this issue introduces a new artistic voice, that sense of meaning and connection remains.

Q: Do you have a favourite cover you’ve illustrated?

A: “One of my favourite covers is issue 105. I really like how the colours work together – it feels smooth and easy on the eyes. The flow of the colours helped bring the whole piece together in a calm and balanced way.

“I also enjoyed creating the contrast between the two characters, which links nicely to the theme of ‘two halves.’ It’s a piece that felt very natural to make, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.”

As we look ahead to our May issue, this moment feels like both a continuation and a shift — holding onto what makes Happiful feel familiar, while opening the door to something new.

We can’t wait for you to see it!

The special issue lands on 1 May.