Project Type Programs
Overview
Editorial / Publication Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Figma
A collaborative identity system design focused on established adult foodies with a taste for the unique and experimental. My team solved brand issues regarding cohesiveness, consistency, and professional appeal.
Collaborators
Kennedi McLemore, Graphic Designer
Damien Sylvester, Graphic Designer
Our Concept
My team’s goal was to create a fully functional, visually interesting, conceptually cohesive, and informational design for a alternative magazine we called “Reverb” in 6 weeks.
Each member started by choosing their favorite alternative genre and then began collecting inspiration and research for potential artists to include using Figma. Some of these included: boygenius, Björk, Raye, Frank Ocean, Green Day, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Following the decision of our theme, a color palette inspired by my team’s personal style was made. After experiencing a few revisions, blush pink, pale chartreuse, black, and a vibrant red were chosen to represent our magazine because of their unusual and bold nature. It was perfect for an alternative magazine.
Typography was determined using reference magazines we wanted to emulate and our personal design styles. It was imperative these fonts reflected our idea of the alternative, avant-garde, shameless, and unique music we would write about.
Each member started by choosing their favorite alternative genre and then began collecting inspiration and research for potential artists to include using Figma. Some of these included: boygenius, Björk, Raye, Frank Ocean, Green Day, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Following the decision of our theme, a color palette inspired by my team’s personal style was made. After experiencing a few revisions, blush pink, pale chartreuse, black, and a vibrant red were chosen to represent our magazine because of their unusual and bold nature. It was perfect for an alternative magazine.
Typography was determined using reference magazines we wanted to emulate and our personal design styles. It was imperative these fonts reflected our idea of the alternative, avant-garde, shameless, and unique music we would write about.
Our Process
Our preliminary designs explored color and layout, using Adobe InDesign to create guidelines and universal rules like margins and gutters so consistency could be maintained. Adobe Photoshop was regularly used as well to edit the photos we implemented. Adjusting the color palette became crucial in this stage to assure it was successful in theory and execution.
Another decision made during this period was what topics to cover and the artists we would highlight. This crucial period resulted in well-known artists Björk, Frank Ocean, and Red Hot Chili Peppers being chosen as our features. Minor features were given to 2 artists, Mexican-American singer and songwriter Selena Quintanilla, and American singer and songwriter XXXTENTACION. This was decided later in the process, as our last topic covered artists’ legacy and impact post-mortem.
Another decision made during this period was what topics to cover and the artists we would highlight. This crucial period resulted in well-known artists Björk, Frank Ocean, and Red Hot Chili Peppers being chosen as our features. Minor features were given to 2 artists, Mexican-American singer and songwriter Selena Quintanilla, and American singer and songwriter XXXTENTACION. This was decided later in the process, as our last topic covered artists’ legacy and impact post-mortem.
Collaboratively, Kennedi, Damien, and I explored cover photography during the entire 6 week process. We came up with several ideas, and after 2 photoshoots we landed on our final design of a photo bash collage and cropped vinyl record.
During this time, my two team members and I collaborated via weekly process meetings outside of class time, FigJam to give / receive feedback, and messaged on a daily basis in order to plan and organize our next steps. This pushed our magazine farther because every member always knew where Reverb stood as far as progress and we constantly felt inspired by each other’s ideas. By the end of the project, our FigJam alone had 622 different versions.
During this time, my two team members and I collaborated via weekly process meetings outside of class time, FigJam to give / receive feedback, and messaged on a daily basis in order to plan and organize our next steps. This pushed our magazine farther because every member always knew where Reverb stood as far as progress and we constantly felt inspired by each other’s ideas. By the end of the project, our FigJam alone had 622 different versions.
Our Product
3 Designers
2 months
1 magazine
courtneygray3141@gmail.com