Children’s Magazines
During my time at Kennedy Publishing, I was responsible for the design and art direction of several magazines, including Barbie, 100 Percent WOW, and I Love Unicorns. My role involved liaising with various brand licensors such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Mattel, Cartoon Network, and DreamWorks, among others. Below you can see a few examples of interior spreads and gift packaging mock ups.
Barbie Magazine
After facing a significant decline in sales, Kennedy acquired the official Barbie magazine from Egmont. I was appointed as the lead designer for this revamp project, collaborating closely with Mattel to craft a better and more engaging version of the magazine. The focus was on revitalising the aesthetic and content to align with contemporary trends while maintaining the essence of what Barbie represents. We introduced vibrant visuals, interactive features, and storytelling elements that resonated with the magazine's target audience. The design overhaul was complemented by fresh editorial content that aimed to inspire creativity and empowerment in young readers. The effort paid off remarkably, as sales numbers saw a substantial upturn in the following years. The new direction not only attracted loyal fans but also enticed a new generation of readers, contributing to the magazine's resurgence in the market.
I Love Unicorns Magazine
I was presented with a brief to create a fun and engaging Unicorn magazine. I had a lot of fun coming up with Team Unicorn - Pudding, Piwi, Babycorn and Bliss came to life first and then later on Lily and Cupcake were born through the imagination of our young readers. Throughout the process, I found immense joy in designing every element of the magazine, from the charming illustrations to the playful layouts. Each page was a canvas for creativity, allowing the characters to come to life in a myriad of colourful adventures. Additionally, I took great care in crafting the gift packaging that would accompany the magazine, ensuring it reflected the same playful aesthetic.
100% WOW Magazine
The brief for designing 100% WOW was bridging the gap between youth and adolescence. The concept revolved around engaging content featuring both beloved celebrities and fun, licensed characters that resonate with this age group. Collaboration played a pivotal role, necessitating an organised approach to manage tight deadlines across the various brands and licensors. Working closely with the editor, we ensured that each element of the magazine was cohesive and visually engaging, appealing to our target audience’s interests. Packaging design was also a key aspect of this project. The gifts associated with the magazine had to be not only attractive but also functional and age-appropriate, enhancing the overall reader experience.
