VIS Magazine
Publication Design, Mixed Media
Vis Magazine is an annually produced student publication done by students in Ohio University’s school of Visual Communication. I was given the opportunity to creative direct, design, and write my own spread for the publication. I chose to depict my favorite part of life as a student: live music done by other students.
I’ve always admired the gritty yet energetic nature of my peers scraping together what they have to put on shows in their own garage or basement. I reflected these themes not only in my design, but also in my process.
This spread was one of three chosen from the magazine to win an SND47 Bronze Medal.
I wanted to add an extra layer of storytelling by taking an analog approach to my design process. Rather than relying on traditional digital photo treatments, I printed the photographs, physically distressed them, and scanned them back into my workflow. I was intentional about carrying this concept into the photoshoot itself, using creative direction to ensure the imagery aligned with the overall visual treatment.
To give the background texture more depth and a stronger sense of place, I brought a handheld scanner to one of Athens’ most beloved music venues, The Union. I captured the layers of graffiti and weathered surfaces throughout the venue, then incorporated these scans into the spreads to create a visual connection between the publication and Athens’ local music scene.
My sketches and inspiration originally leaned more into alternative music magazines.
Background texture
