Practical - Centre Spread Experiments and Class Crit 5.12.18

After sketches were made I began to construct digital mock-ups for potential layouts of the magazine. Three specific styles were experimented with as discussed in the previous post. I plan to use four different stocks in making the magazine which should make sure the magazine is an engaging sensory experience. However, in the crit, it was suggested that I could also print the designs on newsprint to distribute for less money. This is something I should experiment with so that there is a more affordable option for people to read from all backgrounds. I also plan to produce the magazine on Issuu too, as research suggests many magazines do this to remain relevant.

'Contemporary' Experiments

These designs were simple and clean, the focus was the photography so the type and additional shapes were made simple so as not to detract attention. The 'CONSENT IS CONSENT' tape was an interesting experiment but would perhaps need to be developed further to seem more contemporary. A combination of serif and sans serif typefaces have been used to maintain a playful and fun feeling against the more modest layout.

From feedback people suggested they like the second spread most, they found it struck a good balance of formal and informal - offering something more formal than online feminism but also keep it light to retain attention. They said the type in the shape of the pants works, but the colours might seem too suggestive - perhaps more experimentation is needed with a colour scheme. A key response was that the variation in typography works, it 'communicate different voices, opinions, body types' which was my intention. Finally, it was suggested that perhaps a wider variation of underwear could be used to show variation, women's briefs for example. This could help to cater to a more diverse, intersectional audience. Because of these designs were most successful, they will be the ones taken forward in future.

'Minimal' Experiments

For this experiment I decided to make the designs soft and serious, with lines to divide the page allowing the information to become the focus. The clean lines juxtapose with the imagery of crumpled underwear to create a 'controlled' appearance.


From feedback it was suggested that the design look too corporate and formal - the lines overwhelm the page and the negative space is too plain. The magazine needs to be exciting. The non-consensual sex illustration is an interesting idea, but perhaps it could be trialed in other formats. It is important for some of the content to be controversial, harking back to the predecessors of modern feminist magazines like Nova and Spare Rib.

'Playful' Experiments

For these spreads, colour and shape became a bigger focus in order to seem more exciting and engaging. The non-traditional format was to make the topic more accessible for people who are likely to find most of their information online. The playfulness was also intended to make a serious topic less 'off-putting' but by making it 'palatable' it doesn't have high impact and seems almost disrespectful. In order to be taken seriously the designs should not seem childish.

The feedback agreed that the aesthetic was childish and too fun, it reminds of a teen-mag. In order to be taken seriously the design has to reflect some formality.