Magazine Publishing Prototype Project [CRITIQUE]

One of the bigger design projects from this week (although it's hard to choose, there are quite a few in the works this week) is a design for a magazine prototype for our project for a large magazine publishing corporation in which we present them with a concept for a brand new magazine. For this project, the designers are divided into groups to collaborate with the publishing capstone to create a magazine, an iPad app and any other elements or platforms for the magazine deemed necessary by the group.

The publishing group I am working with has come up with a concept for a magazine they call Shindig. This magazine is described by them as "for the entertainer in all of us." It's about believing that anyone, anywhere and with any budget can entertain. Shindig would represent that cool friend of yours who always throws the best parties – they know what to do, when to do it and how to do it so that you're time is spent enjoying the party, rather than stressing about any of those last-minute details. The magazine is an all-inclusive party planning guide that includes menus, gift ideas, product reviews and expert advice with inspiration on every page.

I wanted the magazine's design to reflect that "cool best friend" vibe, by creating a look that was chic and clever, but not too much so as to turn away readers that are hesitant to learning to entertain, etc. I look forward to seeing how my design evolves over the next several days before presenting it to the publishing team and faculty members involved in the project next week. As we began critiques on these magazine prototypes in class on Tuesday, I realize how much work I have ahead in narrowing down my overall design concept (and color palette) and deciding how to carry out my concept throughout the magazine.

Here are some of my beginning designs and color palette for the magazine prototype...