Project Brief – Magazine G3

So over the past few weeks I’ve been doing some thinking on the magazine cover that we’re doing in Graphics (probably a good thing too seeing as that’s the brief,) and I thought I’d record the main ideas I’ve got before finally plunging into my final design.

Anyway, a list, for my purpose as much as others.

1 . Surviving the 21st century in sevens – Environment Issues

I’ve drawn up many concepts for this idea already. With so much pressure on everyone to create a greener world, I figured this would be a topical and interesting magazine to do. I’m partial to the idea of environment, primarily because it seems to be the easiest idea to relate to sustainability and survival. With the brief in mind, I felt that this idea would be the most simple to explain. However, I’m not famous for sticking to the easy road!

I’ve been looking at eco-houses in Cardiff and Gloucester to get a feel for the kind of content I could include in the magazine. Newport was voted the most green city in the UK last month, a chart hosted by The Times, and I thought that this whole idea of recycling and reusing items could be a main feature.

Oh. And I like using the colour green.

2. Surviving the 21st century in sevens – Zombie attack

Going off on a bit of a tangent, I thought a humorous approach to the magazine would be a zombie attack, complete with escape plans and a zombie survival guide. It’s a well known joke that the world will be over run with zombies in the future – why not base a magazine around the concept?

I’ve been looking at emergency booklets and information pamphlets for this idea. I’d love to get to grips with that simple style of illustration and use it in the magazine. I think this idea is by far my favourite – we shall see how it goes.

3. Surviving the 21st century in sevens – Terrorism

With the zombie survival illustrations in mind, I think that terrorism could provide fantastic content in a magazine. Shortly after 9/11 terrorism survival guides were issued in the US and UK explaining what to do in the event of an emergency. This whole concept would basically be the serious version of the magazine idea as described above. In both ideas, my first plan of action would be to grab Martin and explore my old friend screen printing.

Anyway, it’s up to the lecturers. Hopefully next week will offer a conclusive step in the right direction. Either that or I will repeat another week like this one; a lot of wall banging and weeping in small, dark corners. It’s all good in the life of a designer.