Design Challenge and Design Ideas

After seven “individual and unique” issues of Paper Visual Art (PVA). Volume 8 of the Journal was the first of a new and consistent editorial identity that we will roll out across all future editions. The design refresh of the journal proposed and implemented new typographic standards, a larger format and a new cover design. The overarching objective was to create a distinctive editorial identity that privileged the text and therefore the reader. PVA’s editors are committed to publishing “art criticism and commentary” to the broadest possible audience without “dumbing down” – we were therefore challenged to create a contemporary journal with significant pick-up-ability (or attractiveness) for both general readers and more informed and academic readers.

How the brief was fulfilled

Making “contemporary art & art criticism” accessible is a priority for the editorial team, and as such the text and priorities of the reader are privileged throughout. Predominantly produced in two colours the journal is printed using a special mix of fluo inks, customised to improve legibility in different lighting/reading conditions. Our paper choice was also chosen for optimal “readability” in varying lighting conditions.

The redesign leads with a contemporary typographic identity that ensures the journal is distinct from the typically over illustrated covers of art journals it seeks to compete with. It also emphasises the “text first” priorities of the Editorial content.
The final flourish is a foil-blocked typographic motif that was used in an earlier issue of the journal – providing a connection and acknowledgment of the “individual and unique” issues of Paper Visual Art (PVA) that predate the newly refreshed journal.