The Politics Issue

November Publication @34th Street Magazine

✶ Fall 2024 ᝰ Visual Identity, Editorial ✐ Art Director, Designer

Roles: Art Director, Designer

Extended Team: Natalia Castillo (Creative Director), Emmi Wu (Designer), Insia Haque (Designer), 10 Design Associates

Time Frame: 2.5 weeks

Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Figma, Procreate

Skills: Visual Identity, Editorial Design, Concept Development, Project Management

  • 34th Street Magazine, a campus arts and culture publication under The Daily Pennsylvanian Inc., produces a 52-page monthly print issue, each featuring a distinct package and visual identity. For its penultimate issue, Street is releasing a Politics Issue to coincide with The Daily Pennsylvanian newspaper's Voter’s Guide ahead of the contentious 2024 election.

    The issue requires a dynamic identity that captures the energy of the election season while standing apart from its sister publication’s brand.

  • Street’s brand is unapologetically offbeat, spunky, opinionated, and LOUD. Its identity thrives on boldness and creativity, standing in contrast to traditional, straight-laced graphics. For the Politics Issue, this means rejecting conventional political aesthetics and instead embracing a vibrant, dynamic approach that captures the high-energy, irreverent spirit of Street—even when tackling a serious topic like the election.

  • We crafted a striking visual identity for the Politics Issue using a collage-like approach with bold shapes and a limited color palette. High-resolution black-and-white photography was layered against vibrant geometric forms, creating contrast and dynamism. Hand symbolism was used as a central motif to evoke action and agency, aligning with the energy of election season. This bold and eclectic design amplifies Street’s offbeat, spunky brand while setting the issue apart from The Daily Pennsylvanian's Voter’s Guide.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Issue Archives

Other visual identities and issues I developed in my time as Design Editor.

Reflection

Learnings

Working with 34th Street Magazine taught me how to balance creativity with brand consistency while adapting to different thematic challenges. I developed a deeper understanding of how visual identity shapes audience perception and honed my ability to collaborate across teams under tight deadlines.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, I hope to see how Street’s distinct voice can be further amplified through experimental typography and interactive digital storytelling. Integrating audience feedback could also enhance the magazine’s impact and engagement in future issues.

Experience

Serving as Design Editor for 34th Street Magazine was one of the most rewarding roles I’ve had. Collaborating closely with writers and design staff, I learned the art of translating stories into visuals that resonate. Seeing our work come together in print every month was deeply fulfilling and reminded me of why I love design.

Beyond that, I’ve also made some of my closest friends working here. I’m beyond grateful for my co-editor Sophia, my deputies: Katrina, Insia, Anish, Janine, and Emmi, all fifteen design newbies, and my editor-in-chief Natalia.

 

Thanks for checking out my project! If you’d like to see the nitty gritty of my design process, please reach out to me! I’m always happy to chat.