You Can't Miss: 48 Hour Magazine

On magcultue blog, I found out about 48Hour magazine. A group of people are going to release a theme on May 7, take submissions until May 8, and on May 9 a magazine will be wrapped up and sent to the printer (there will be an online and print version). I really want to do this!!! I know I'm strapped for time, but this would be a great experience! The idea is to test the limit of the tools we have today – can a magazine be written, photographed, illustrated, edited and shipped all in two days?  I bet it can :) Check out how you can participate here.

Response: Mini Portfolios

Mini-portfolios. Yikes.

I truly am excited about mini-portfolios, but my concern is time. I'm concerned that I won't have the proper amount of time to create mini-portfolios that will sell me work and ultimately me. It was nice to finally see the various portfolios yesterday in class. I saw several things in a mini that I liked, but I think I saw more things that I don't like. Sometimes defining what you don't like is just as important as what you do like. My list of 'don'ts' includes: complete lamination, spiral binding and spice. I want a classy look and feel, so I definitely need classy binding. I'm sure the things on my dislike list could be done in a classy way...maybe not. I think I'm going to just print a few to see if what I go with is something that I really like. If  I do that, I won't be completely locked into something and can update my stuff if it gets out dated or I fall out of love with my mini-portfolio design.

Critique: ST Illustration

I'm learning that I enjoy creating illustrations. This is the illustration that is running in the 4/29 ST dept in Vox. The story is about the Mid-Mo Coffee Party, a group that meets in coffee shops and discusses political things. I created an illustration earlier this semester for the April Fools issue (if you recall, it is an illustration of a whoopie coushin). I really enjoy creating illustrations. There is a great freedom with illustrations – you can create almost anything!

You Can't Miss: Cool stuff and random thoughts

I've mentioned Anorak before. It is a lovely magazine for children. This week I can across an interview with Cathy Olmedillas, the editor and founder of the magazine, on stackmagazines.com. The interview goes into how the magazine came to be,  advertisements within the independent magazine and even how the magazine had taken advantage of new technology (hint: iPhone and iPad). Olmedillas talked about how the new technology is great to boost the magazine's presence in the US  and Australia (Anorak is a UK magazine), but even though digital versions of the magazine will be available, she is certain that the print version will never go away. There is too much of a physical experience for them to ever go away. Check out the interview here. Also, in the article, the writer mentioned a couple places that Anorak had already been featured. One spot is Gwynneth Paltrow's newsletter GOOP (which you should also check out because she writes about some cool stuff, plus had come neat navigation icons). 

p.s. I baked cookies this afternoon, I have a theory: women had stronger arms before technology came along ... using a wooden spoon to mix batter is just as good of a work out, if not better, than lifting weights.

Response: Portfolio Site

I'm so proud of everyone who show their website yesterday. They all look fabulous. I've recently scrapped mine multiple times. I just can't quite get to a design that is me. I almost wish we would have done a personal branding exercise for ourselves. Here is the most recent screen shot of my portfolio site. It's not me. Green and black? No. What was I thinking!? I didn't realize how hard this would be.

Jan said something interesting in class yesterday: when you invite someone to your website, you are inviting them into your home. Well, let's just say that this is not my home. It would be extremely misleading of me to have this design as my site. I'm playing around with some other ideas. The framework is basically the same architecture just different curtains. I feel like I'm in a bit of an identity crisis with the portfolio site. I was it to reflect my personality and my design so badly, and I just want to get it done! 

Critique: CookOut

The prototypes are soooo close to being complete. My absolute favorite spread of mine is the grill kit feature. It turned out quite nice. The feature is the top 10 things that you'll need when grilling, so keep them together in a portable container so you can grab and go grill :) I had originally planned on cutting out images from the Creative Library, but I couldn't find decent images for a couple of the products. It was a nightmare searching through the library to find just the right shot of individual products. The Monday before we presented to John, I called in a favor from a friend. She graciously took time Tuesday to use her made photography skills and shoot an image of the products in a caddy. The outcome: the fabulous photo you see here! And how wonderful is it that my roommate has all of the grill products featured!?!? Who wold have thought that in my house is a silicone basting brush and a bendable neck lighter torch? Plus, our back deck came in handy :)

You Can't Miss: Questions

Last week we discussed our creative thinking process. This week I came across a blog that interviews graphic artists and illustrators a set list of questions about their favorite artist tools. You can check it out at The Tools Artists Use. The site if pretty cool because they have indexes sorted b artist name, date interview was published and even a word cloud of what tools were featured! Here is the list of questions they use:

- What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?

- If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?

- How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers?

- Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?

- Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist’s work?

- If you create purely-digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?

- If you work both digitally and non-digitally, which do you find yourself doing more? Is there a reason you would prefer one of the other? Is it because of the tools available in either space?

- I asked about post-processing on a computer, but do you think the computer is a helpful tool for making art? Whether it’’s looking for inspiration online, or using it to build a weblog to promote yourself and your art, do you think a computer is necessary, helpful, or a distraction (or all of the above)?

Response: LBB

Here are two of my LLB logos that I've been working on. It was interesting getting feedback from her in class on Tuesday. It was nice to hear feedback on each individual logo. It was interesting to hear her comments on everyone else's as well. Everyone's logos are very different, but there were some elements that were similar. Some designers used the bird imagery, but they used it all in different ways. It was really neat to see.

Critique: Happiness

This is my final cover concept for the happiness feature. This story was another compilation of smaller stories, so the visuals for this leaned more toward the conceptual. The feature design was a play off of Candy Land. I wanted to portray a land of happiness that is colorful like the game. This week I've been working on CookOut features and departments like crazy. I'd  post some of my favorite designs, but I don't want to spoil the presentation tomorrow...

You Can't Miss: Fire & Knives (again)

Oh my goodness! When I got back to Columbia after break, I had a nice package waiting for me...it was from London. A friend of mine surprised me with ordering Fire&Knives for me!!! Wow! It is so cool! It is smaller than standard size with perfect binding, the paper smells great, the illustrations are fantastic, the writing is lovely – I don't know that I've ever really read a magazine cover to cover.

Something extra sweet
When I was at HyVee the other night, I saw these adorable illustrations on cake mix and icing boxes :)

Response: Paper

I was so excited about receiving paper samples in class on Tuesday. Paper will never go away. There is something exciting about it – it is tangible, colorful, and there are so many different types. I was given an invitation to a friend's wedding. It is beautifully designed and beautifully printed. It was printed on a letterpress. This shows the importance of good paper selection. The invitation was printed on a very heavy card stock paper. It is probably the thickness of a restaurant coaster. When printed, the type and images made deep impressions on the paper. It's so cool to run your finger over the type!

Critique: Short Talk and More

This is my short talk design from 4/1, April Fools Day. I drew a whoopie cushion. I really feel that I'm improving on the time it take to pull together a department page. The production of this page was seamless. That is cool because this was during our double production week.

Inspiring Sights

Found Typography

You Can't Miss: Illustrations

This week I created an illustration for Short Talk's secondary. It was a really fun illustration...it was a really fun topic. I recently stumbled upon some info about an illustration show in Bristol (so if you just happen to be going there over break, check it out). Several illustrators came together for a art show of tea-time illustrations. It is interesting to see how different artists interpret a particular topic.

Response: Critiquing

I originally intended to respond to critiquing in class. We do it all the time, and I'm sure everyone in the class gets tired of it. It is helpful, but class after class it can be over whelming. The creative directors for all of our publishing projects did a great job presenting their designs. There was definitely a lot of critiquing going on in that room. I feel that Spring Break will be a much needed break; I know I'll take critiquing a litter better once I come back refreshed.

In response to my response from last week (wrap your head around that), Eye Magazine's new issue is out. You can check out some of the spread on their site. This issue is all about typography – illustrated typography in particular. Check it out here.

Critique: Short Talk and Cover Concepts

This past week I designed Short Talk for April 1. Vox had double production because next week is Spring Break (I'll post my design after the issue runs. I don't want to spoil any amazing illustrations that it might contain...) In addition to short talk, I designed three cover concepts for an issue that will run in mid April. It's another several-smaller-stories story. My favorite is the green one. It is so bright and refreshing – that is what the feature is trying to get across, the soothing feeling of being happy. The second one I completely agree that it is more of a celebratory piece. The idea for this concept is the more joyful side of being happy, less tranquility side. The photo is mainly a place holder for what I image to be a blast of a photoshoot involving balloons and confetti. This image was actually taken at a New Years Eve concert I went to. After the count down, hundreds (and I mean HUNDREDS) of theses balloons were set free in the convention center. It amazing. I was happy, haha. The third concept is, yes, extremely cliche – person running across the beach having been set free. The idea was more for the beach...the awful silhouette doesn't have to stay.

You Can't Miss: A lovely children's magazine

Anorak is a children's magazine out of the UK. Its tag line: the happy magazine for kids. The magazine launched in fall of 2006, and it is a quarterly magazine. There is a distinct visual style to the magazine, a lot of bright colors as well as colorful line drawings that could be used as color sheets. Within the distinct visual style, there is a variety of illustrations in the magazine. There are graphic elements and shapes that are brightly colored, realistic drawings created with a more muted color pallet, as well as beautiful hand drawn typography. This is a lovely children's magazine. There issues are all theme issues such as Chocolate Issue, Word Issue, Jungle Issue, Joke Issue and so much more. Covers and spreads are viewable on the magazine's website.

Response: Designer Magazines

I really enjoyed looking at the magazines for designers in class yesterday. I have seen magazines a bookstores that are design and graphic arts related, but I've never purchase one. Well, I purchased a copy of CMYK once. Design magazines expensive. They really do serve as a showcase of work but also a source of inspiration. I enjoyed hearing John Fennell's story about working for Step by Step; it was interesting to hear what the original mission of the magazine was and how it has since developed and established itself as a good, and more affordable, design magazine.

I'm fascinated with the differences in aesthetic sensibilities between American and European magazines. The layout and type choices are different, the illustrations and even the finish on the paper is vastly different. American magazines are great, but alot of the work I've found while following magculture blog comes form Europe, especially the UK, and is remarkable. After I traveled to Europe over Christmas break with a group from the Journalism School, I decided that I wanted to travel and even live abroad for some amount of time. Now that I've been exposed to European art and magazines, I think it would be fun and a great experience to work at a fun publication abroad.

Critique: Bits and Pieces

This is the landing page for the Eureka story. It is fairly simple, but it required mastery of a few action script. Each icon is for a different story. When the cursor is held over an icon, it changes color to yellow, shows the story title and then changes to black with a click just before the user is directed to a page with the individual story. The landing page uses the same design elements and typography as the feature spread.

Here are the two Short Talk department pages I've designed. The first is a single page from 2/4 and the other two are a spread from 3/4. The cut-out of the pothos turned out nice. I was really pleased with this department page. The anchor story for 3/4 was fun to work one, but the secondary and sidebar were a challenge. The images didn't come into until that Sunday. It was rather frustrating, but I was able to problem solve through the design process and get as much done as I could without the photos. The second page of this issue was switched up a bit for print because the sidebar seemed to carry the same weight, if not more, than the secondary.

You Can't Miss: Fantastic Man

Is you man in need of fantastic fashion know-how?
I discovered Fantastic Man, a mens online style journal. It's been around for a while and looks pretty cool. They us san serif typefaces throughout the magazine (aside from the masthead) and use a basic color of black and white. The images look brilliant in black and white. magculture posted a bit about the magazine and how it is launching a sister magazine – the gentlewoman. This looks to be pretty good. It hasn't made it to stores yet, but there is a sneak-peak online. It has a similar design style as Fantastic Man, but the design has a more delicate feel. I especially love the close up shots of the clutches. I'm sure Cara would love this magazine. I've included a link to the men's magazine. You can click through the pages and get a little preview of both magazines.

Response: Week in Review

March Madness has begun – and I don't mean basketball.
The past week and a half (or has it been two?) has been full of design work. Here's what I've been working on for magazine design alone: LBB logos, Eureka cover concepts, Eureka feature, Eureka multimedia landing page and designing Short Talk. While working on these things, lessons learned or reinforced include:

-Some logos work with texture, some don't.
-When working on features, discuss design concepts with the feature editors...they can help you flesh out your ideas.
-The reason your flash project isn't working is because of a very small, quick and easily fixable error. Kristin Kellogg is extremely helpful – she's a great resource.
-Make sure you use the most up-to-date template.
-Phone calls tend to work better than emails.
-You can be very productive in the Vox office in the wee hours of the night...and morning.
-And there are sweet temporary tattoos to be found :)

This is my final cover concept from the Eureka issue.

Oh! So much fun.


This is a wedding invitation I just finished designing for my best friend back in Oklahoma.

Critique: Eureka!

The past couple weeks I worked with the wonderful Kelly Pack on designing the Eureka! feature. The feature is a collection of stories about researchers in Columbia who have made discoveries or found innovative ways of doing things. It was a challenge to bring the stories together visually but keep them as free standing stories. The topics were so diverse; they couldn't even be categorized. Here is a brief history of our feature design.

Pre-draft: We wrestled hard with ideas for this feature. Eureka moments are very abstract, yet we had to visually represent them. It was tough to find a balance between something cliche and something too abstract for the reader. We finally had our own "aha!" moment when I came up with the idea of having the headline be the filament of the light bulb. Before we had any kind of working draft with the story elements, Kelly and I dialogued with Stephanie and Jenna about the story. We showed them what ideas we had been working with. They gave us their take on which stories were the more interesting ones, and we established a hierarchy for placement.

Draft 1: This is what Kelly and I showed the editors on Thursday, March 4. We got feedback and helpful critiques from them. The design was pretty sparse where photo were concerned (most of them had not been shot), but we had our concept down.


Draft 2: This draft came about later Thursday night and Friday afternoon. We had more of the photos in, and decided to ditch the boxes...they were too boxy. The light behind them wasn't working either. We did some rearranging of story elements, started placing photos and incorporated the light bulb throughout the spreads for cohesion.

Draft 3: At 4:00 p.m. on Saturday 3/6, this is how far we had come.

A few modifications were made to the final design once it was in PlanSystem such as the typeface on the bottom of the lightbulb, the shape of that text box, story placement and a few minor changes to the story lead-in detail. To see the real deal in its final form, check out the new issue of Vox tomorrow (3/11)!

And don't forget www.voxmagazine.com....I created the landing page for the story.