The Avenue Magazine

I first began my journey with the Avenue in the Spring of 2021 for their Awakening Issue as a designer. I continued that role for the Fall Velocity Issue, and then I was asked to move up to the Associate Design Director position. During the Structure issue, I worked alongside the Design Director to lead and critique the design team, as well as concept and organize the issue.

Now I serve as the Design Director as we work on our Lucid issue. I ensure that the magazine is cohesive and manage the associate and design team. I collaborate with the Creative and Art Directors to develop and execute the vision of the issue.

Each issue combines the vision of dozens of creatives to embody a cohesive theme with three photo spreads and ~18 articles. Within each article and spread, designers, photographers, and editorial writers come together to convey a powerful message. Though the theme each semester changes, as a designer I am responsible for upholding the branding while also pushing boundaries, and furthering it. Maintaining that perfect dichotomy between minimalism and the absurd unexpected.

As the design director, my task is to work closely with the Creative Director and Art Director to develop and execute the vision for each issue of the magazine. Manage the team of designers and the Associate to ensure that the magazine is cohesive. Design quality spreads that developing new and current aesthetics.

It all begins with an idea. As an e-board member I am present for the day 1 concepting until we have the magazine in hand. Once the theme is picked, each team works alongside each other to combine strong editorial pieces with photos and lastly design. The designer is responsible for representing more than their own work and so it is crucial that the work be of the highest caliber. With 3-4 critique rounds and additional one on one critiques as needed, these designs are thought through from the grid up. I began as a designer making 3 articles a semester, then gradually moved up and now as design director, I critique the role that I once had. I critique the 7 designers with my own experience in mind, and I try to give them the same experience that I had as a new designer on the team.

Once all designs have gone through critiques, I compile them following the ladder and logical order and I am in charge of sending them off to the printer and proofing the printers edits until we have the beautiful issues in hand!