ROOKIE MAGAZINE
Typography • Wordmark Design • Motion Design • Print Layout
The objective of this project was to create a captivating and relevant visual identity for a culture and lifestyle magazine. This included a custom wordmark and dynamic compositions within a grid system to fully communicate the magazine’s message: highlighting new music and new groups within the K-pop industry.
IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT
The main research element was figuring out what concepts encompass the idea of K-pop. This was done through brainstorming various adjectives and wordmarks. These adjectives included energetic, rhythmic, flowing, fun, and colorful.
A few early versions of the wordmark were “ComebacK”, “SingNSong”, “Idolyric”, and “Kimbop”, before finally landing on “Rookie”. These ideations focused on both the Korean culture and musical aspects of K-pop.
WORDMARK IDEATION
DIGITAL IDEATION
Typography
Bagel Fat One has very round letterforms in both the English alphabet and Hangul, the native Korean alphabet. The “ch” sound within Hangul was used in place of the “K” in the wordmark because of its striking similarity when turned on its side, also to emphasize the “K” for K-pop.
FINAL MARK
The final wordmark showcases an uneven baseline, representative of rhythm and notes on a music staff. The round terminals of the letterforms illustrate the refreshing and bubbly nature of the magazine.
LAYOUT ITERATION
Cover Page Digital Iteration
Final Cover Page
Table of Contents Digital Iteration
Final Table of Contents Spread
Feature Article Digital Iteration
Final Feature Article Spread
Interview Article Digital Iteration
Final Interview Article Spread
VISUAL DESIGN SYSTEM
FINAL MAGAZINE LAYOUT
The final culture and lifestyle magazine focuses on new music, groups, and events in the Korean Pop industry. The conceptual ideas and visuals revolve around the words “flux" and “fusion", creating the juxtaposition of fluidity and sporadicness that can be heard in music.
MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENT
Song Instrumental by Aespa, the K-pop group pictured in the advertisement.