TCN I.01 COVER DESIGN (HOMECOMING) | 2023
Intro
The project delves into how we can express "homecoming" as the initial theme for the inaugural issue of The Counternarrative Magazine, a non-profit organization founded by University of Alberta students aiming to provide a platform for BIPOC creatives to share their voice through a variety of mediums (music, literature, art, etc.)
Solution
The conception of the cover design reflects rudimentary forms shaped like a house—going back to our roots. I wanted to capture the sense of beginning by also using standard colours (red, yellow, green) alluding to simple and basic drawings we do as kids.
The overall layout design, followed a slight post-modern composition making each spread dynamic which tells a story through the visual and literary elements integrated within each page.
TCN I.01 COVER ILLUSTRATION (HOMECOMING) | 2023
On submissions that feature literary pieces, I have integrated visual submissions from other creatives seeking a kind of system, community, and connection between all the works.
I also have drawn and illustrated for other literary works in the issue (image on the right) aiming to capture that sense of narrative and storytelling.
The design process took an approach where we had an initial meeting and continued communication with creatives to show our draft layouts using their works in order to get feedback on how their message is being delivered across the platform.
TCN I.01 BACK COVER DESIGN (HOMECOMING) | 2023
Prior to the back cover, we also add our tagline "catch you on the flip side." When thinking of this phrase when designing the brand identity of the magazine, I thought that it highlights the platform and brand perfectly describing the opposite side of the story, narratives that are usually haven't been heard, not commonly understood, and taken into consideration.
The connected illustration of the front cover to the back displays an occupied house reflected through the filled-in light on the window and smoke coming out of the chimney signalling one has come home.
As the lead designer of the organization, I am also in charge of creating social media post content — from initial promotions of the magazine to creative highlights and subsequent announcements by the TCN group.
As we continue our journey towards sharing creatives' voices, the project has driven many ways to explore my creativity as a designer. It also provided a platform to enhance my ability to translate creative works to visual narratives that evoke emotion aligning with respect to the intention of each and every creative that submitted their work to us.
As we continue our journey towards sharing creatives' voices, the project has driven many ways to explore my creativity as a designer. It also provided a platform to enhance my ability to translate creative works to visual narratives that evoke emotion aligning with respect to the intention of each and every creative that submitted their work to us.
THE COUNTERNARRATIVE MAGAZINE
ISSUE 01 • SUMMER 2023
Programs used: Adobe InDesign | Adobe Photoshop | Procreate