Studio Brief 2: Publication research - Anya Nesterenko

https://www.behance.net/gallery/12073037/Dirty-Stories

Dirty Stories is a new independent magazine that comes out four times a year, an­d covers a variety of general topics and interest pieces. Dirty Stories readers are young people interested in literature, culture and possessive of a healthy dose of scepticism pertaining to life and popular culture.

 I absolutely love the design of this publication. As a whole it has a very 'trendy' feel to it which can become tedious, but the use of simple layouts and classic typefaces here saves it.
What drew me to it and made me think that it is relevant to this project is how handmade ink splotches have been placed on some of the pages, including the front page. They would interest me to keep flicking through the magazine as they are a unique feature.
I'd say that the photograph used on the front page doesn't particularly suit the design or the two tone effect on the photograph itself. It isn't a dramatic photograph yet the type and the colours suggest otherwise.
I love the colour scheme, as it isn't too bright but it isn't cold or dull either.



https://www.behance.net/gallery/13052851/RAYMOND-BLACK-CATALOGUE

PRODUCT CATALOGUE FOR THE CONTEMPRORARY 
GENTELMAN'S GOODS STORE RAYMOND BLACK

Inspired by the company's branding campaign "The Art of Looking Good", I decided upon the idea of combining art with photography. The design was greatly inspired by the Action Painting art movement, which is a very dynamic, emotional and instinctive style of art which features thick sweeping brushstrokes and the dripping technique. 

I used abstract style art work printed on transparent paper to go on top of the pages, transforming the images into “art works”. At the same time, if you turn the transparent pages over you can look at photos and read the information about the products.

I enjoy the scruffy type on the front page as it makes you feel as if it has been scrawled out just for you because of it's personal feel, but I think it is a little too careless looking. I feel like it doesn't suit the content inside which seems very classy. However, I think that the contrast with the serif typeface laid over the top is clever and works well.
There are acetate pages in the catalogue that have paint strokes on them which is an interesting concept - it adds an artistic feature but can be taken away from the layout with a flick of the page.