NOMAD MAGAZINE

An Adventure Collection: Timeless Tales & Trail Wisdom

NOMAD MAGAZINE

PROBLEM
Upon researching the present magazine marketplace, it was discovered that, although literary magazines exist as well as adventure/sport publications, a digest composed of well-written, timeless adventure tales does not currently live on shelves. Furthermore, an opportunity for a quarterly, visually compelling collection that could hang around in homes & offices was noticed, especially with regard to the Millennial audience.

GOAL
Concept and art direct a new magazine brand for publication; research and identify audience; curate all content - including appropriate advertisements and imagery; layout and produce the introductory issue.

SOLUTION
Nomad is a digest: a compilation of anecdotes, first-person accounts, diagrams, and biographies that seeks to encapsulate the timeless emotion of adventure. Each quarterly issue is a multidimensional experience that captivates and inspire readers through stunning visual and narrative story-telling. Nomad features personal narratives that depict adventure of all shapes and sizes.

PROBLEM
Upon researching the present magazine marketplace, it was discovered that, although literary magazines exist as well as adventure/sport publications, a digest composed of well-written, timeless adventure tales does not currently live on shelves. Furthermore, an opportunity for a quarterly, visually compelling collection that could hang around in homes & offices was noticed, especially with regard to the Millennial audience.

GOAL
Concept and art direct a new magazine brand for publication; research and identify audience; curate all content - including appropriate advertisements and imagery; layout and produce the introductory issue.

SOLUTION
Nomad is a digest: a compilation of anecdotes, first-person accounts, diagrams, and biographies that seeks to encapsulate the timeless emotion of adventure. Each quarterly issue is a multidimensional experience that captivates and inspire readers through stunning visual and narrative story-telling. Nomad features personal narratives that depict adventure of all shapes and sizes.

Check out the full issue below 

Check out the full issue below 

MAKING A MAGAZINE

MAKING A MAGAZINE

The Process

The Process

CREATING THE CONCEPT
As stated before, the seed of the idea for Nomad was birthed months before its inception—in a tiny hut perched atop a mountain peak. Here, the name Nomad was conceived as well, inspired by the weekend’s sentimental wanderings. Trail ledgers in the lookout, written by hand by journeyers of yore, were scattered amidst various classic works of literature, such as Jack London’s Call of the Wild. This combination of humanity and timelessness became the inspiration for the magazine’s art direction.

[Far Left: Me at Three Fingers Peak where the idea for Nomad began]

[Left: Original Nomad moodboard]

CREATING THE CONCEPT
As stated before, the seed of the idea for Nomad was birthed months before its inception—in a tiny hut perched atop a mountain peak. Here, the name Nomad was conceived as well, inspired by the weekend’s sentimental wanderings. Trail ledgers in the lookout, written by hand by journeyers of yore, were scattered amidst various classic works of literature, such as Jack London’s Call of the Wild. This combination of humanity and timelessness became the inspiration for the magazine’s art direction.

[Above Above: Me at Three Fingers Peak where the idea for Nomad began]

[Above: Original Nomad moodboard]

ESTABLISHING THE AUDIENCE
Three user personas were determined in an effort to span the threshold of various readers. They are “The Instagram Travel Girl,” “The PNW Purist,” and “The Retirees.” Ranging in age, gender, and socio-economic status, they are tied together by a love for adventure stories, be that due to inspiration or nostalgia.

[Right: Example of User Persona]

ESTABLISHING THE AUDIENCE
Three user personas were determined in an effort to span the threshold of various readers. They are “The Instagram Travel Girl,” “The PNW Purist,” and “The Retirees.” Ranging in age, gender, and socio-economic status, they are tied together by a love for adventure stories, be that due to inspiration or nostalgia.

[Above: Example of User Persona]

CURATING THE CONTENT
As Nomad is a digest, a variety of content, ranging from pithy poems to extensive feature pieces, had to be curated. The theme of the issue— “Peaks & Packs” was also established at this point, suggesting that each would be mountain-centric within this quarterly edition.

For the shorter front and back of book material, diagrams, biographies, and poetry were collected. The longer features were intimate, first-person tales. A preliminary flat-plan for laying out the content also set in this stage.

FLOWING IN THE CONTENT
Beginning with the feature pieces, content was flowed into the flat-plan. This stage focused heavily on art direction—such as selecting appropriate photography and making typographic decisions—as well as addressing and resolving layout issues.

[Left: original Nomad flatplan]

CURATING THE CONTENT
As Nomad is a digest, a variety of content, ranging from pithy poems to extensive feature pieces, had to be curated. The theme of the issue— “Peaks & Packs” was also established at this point, suggesting that each would be mountain-centric within this quarterly edition.

For the shorter front and back of book material, diagrams, biographies, and poetry were collected. The longer features were intimate, first-person tales. A preliminary flat-plan for laying out the content also set in this stage.

FLOWING IN THE CONTENT
Beginning with the feature pieces, content was flowed into the flat-plan. This stage focused heavily on art direction—such as selecting appropriate photography and making typographic decisions—as well as addressing and resolving layout issues.

[Above: original Nomad flatplan]