Magazine Project: Final Critique & Revised Cover

Critiques took place Thursday.  After the critique, we were given the opportunity to make changes to better our design.  One comment that was prominent in the critique of my piece was that there were too many elements vying for attention.  In my re-design, I took out the chalk drawing a the glass of orange juice and replaced it with a less intrusive red glow with lightning bolts & rays.  Lesser elements like articles & the top bar were moved slightly, as well as the masthead slightly tweaked for better alignment.

Magazine Project: Final

Yesterday I brought all of my imagery into InDesign & tweaked the existing type.  Here's my composite image I brought in...

And here is the completed cover...

The type for the featured articles alludes to chalk drawing.  The emphasis of green not only references the "organic living" theme of the magazine, but also helps cool down the warm colors of the imagery.

Magazine Project: Additional Background Imagery

With my OJ/lightbulb composite finished, I decided I needed something more in the background than just a flat color field.  Referencing Whole Foods website, I decided for a chalk board background, also lending homage to cafes and coffeehouses everywhere.

I spent a few hours doing several ideations & variation thereof.  Unfortunately, my memory card was corrupted, but here are a few that survived.

This final one I chose to be my background.  I thought the proportions were most appropriate and the macro detail of the orange juice better rendered.

Magazine Project: Imagery

Captured image: Orange juice

Scanned magazine image: Lightbulb, Wired Magazine

The above are my two main images.  I'm currently working on integrating them into a composite image, a lightbulb filled with orange juice. 

A preview.... sans the WIRED masthead, of course.

I'm going for the same idea of a flat background on which the bulb can lay, though after some research I think perhaps a lightly textured background could add more effectiveness. Thanks to The Spoon Magazine for some texture inspiration.

Here's a small, simple sketch of what I plan for the magazine cover to look like.

Magazine Project: Masthead

Above is my completed masthead.  The underlying typeface is Poplar Standard Black, with a leaf embellishment for the "i" for a green sensibility.  The slight curvature of the "R" (as well as the leaf) against the stolid straight angles of the rest of the word lend to a modern, hip feel.

Magazine Project: Slight Redirection/Specification

With the advisement of my professor, I'm slightly altering my proposed magazine topic--well, rather narrowing it down.  I will be leaning more the way of the "Whole Foods" culture.  Below is a re-concentration of my focus questions.

Who is the target audience?
While still a food-related magazine for non-moms, more urban singles or young couples who are more into out-on-the-town consumption that domestic homemaking, focusing in more on the subculture into organic groceries and products with enough expendable cash to afford those luxuries.

What is the name of your magazine? Why? Connotations?
I'm still pretty solid on RELISH.  As I said previously, the word is known primarily as chopped pickle used to top dishes, but also means liking the taste of something or a pleasing flavor/quality.  I think RELISH also emanates a more organic/green feel than, say, FEAST. 

What will your masthead look like? Any idea for fonts?
The second sampled typeface in my previous post is my top pick.  I will most likely be doing an Illustrator-based type treatment to further sell an organic feel.

What images will be on the cover & why? 
Still searching for an appropriate found image.  Really wanting some nice macro imagery as reflected in my mood board.

What will be your sell lines to entice your target audience?
"Organic Living for Urban Folk"

Magazine Project: Masthead Type Exploration