Crafting a Visual Narrative for Entertainment & Lifestyle

CLIENT: MEDIACORP PUBLISHING

At MediaCorp Publishing, I contributed as a designer to MANJA, a leading entertainment & lifestyle magazine that celebrates modern living. My role encompassed not only the design and layout of the magazine but also the art direction of photo shoots for feature and cover stories.

MANJA: Design & Art Direction

Creating a visually compelling and cohesive magazine experience that captured the essence of modern living was the central challenge during my time at MANJA. This involved not only designing engaging layouts but also art directing photo shoots that aligned with the magazine's editorial direction and brand identity.

This case study showcases my contributions in editorial design and art direction, highlighting my ability to translate compelling stories into visually engaging experiences. A key part of this process was close collaboration with photographers and PR managers to ensure a cohesive visual narrative that resonated with MANJA's readership.

The Approach

Editorial Design

I worked closely with the editorial team to understand the tone and content of each story. My design approach focused on creating layouts that complemented the writing, enhancing readability and visual flow. I paid meticulous attention to typography, whitespace, and imagery to create a sophisticated and engaging reading experience. This involved:

  • Developing layout templates for different sections of the magazine while keeping the style consistent and on-brand.

  • Selecting appropriate fonts and colours to convey the desired tone.

  • Strategically using whitespace to create visual breathing room and enhance readability.

  • Designing infographics and other visual elements to enhance storytelling.

Print Production

Beyond the creative aspects, my role at MANJA also provided invaluable experience in the technical intricacies of print production. I gained a deep understanding of preparing artwork files for printing, from colour management and image resolution to file formats and pre-press procedures.

This hands-on experience ensured that the final printed product accurately reflected the intended design and met the highest quality standards. It's a side of magazine design that often goes unseen, but mastering these technical skills is crucial for any designer working in print.

A LITTLE INSIDER TRIVIA

The magazine world operates on a tight schedule! We typically prepared content for MANJA about three months prior to publication. This meant that while readers were enjoying the current issue, we were already deep into conceptualizing and creating the next one.

Photo Art Direction

Beyond layout design, I was responsible for the art direction of photo shoots for feature and cover stories, ensuring each image compliments the magazine's overall aesthetic. This involved:

  • Conceptualization and Mood Boards: Developing creative concepts and mood boards to visually communicate the desired mood, style, and narrative to the entire team. This served as a crucial guide for the photographer, stylists, and makeup artists.

  • Collaboration and Teamwork: Art direction is a collaborative process. I worked closely with:

    • Photographers to select locations, models, and overall photographic style.

    • Stylists to curate wardrobes that complemented the theme and models, reflecting current fashion trends. Staying up-to-date on these trends was essential for contributing effectively to the styling process.

    • Makeup Artists (MUAs) to develop makeup looks that enhanced the models' features and aligned with the overall aesthetic. Just like with styling, keeping abreast of current beauty trends was key to achieving the desired look.

    • PR managers to coordinate schedules, logistics, and model releases.

  • On-Set Direction: Providing on-set art direction to ensure the final images captured the desired mood, message, and composition. This involved real-time adjustments and problem-solving to ensure the shoot stayed on track and the creative vision was realized.

  • Image Selection and Retouching: Selecting and retouching final images for publication, ensuring they met the magazine's high standards for quality and visual impact. This included collaborating with retouchers to achieve the desired level of polish while maintaining authenticity.

Beyond Design: My DIY Column

One of the most enjoyable opportunities at MANJA was the chance to run my own DIY crafts column. This allowed me to tap into my passion for hands-on creativity and share it with the magazine's readers.

Each month, I developed and photographed tutorials for unique home decor items or fashion accessories, tailored to the specific theme of the issue. From upcycling used bottles to creating clay jewelry, I loved the challenge of transforming everyday materials into stylish and functional pieces.

This column not only allowed me to express my own creativity but also empowered readers to unleash their inner artists and add a personal touch to their homes and wardrobes. It was incredibly rewarding to see readers engaging with the projects and sharing their own creations.

This experience solidified my belief in the joy of making something with your own hands. It also provided valuable experience in crafting clear and concise instructions, as well as photographing the step-by-step process in an engaging way.

Key Takeaways

My time at MANJA allowed me to hone my skills in editorial design and photo art direction. I learned the importance of collaboration, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of visual storytelling. I'm particularly proud of my ability to translate editorial content into visually engaging layouts and to create compelling imagery that resonated with the magazine's target audience.