The Readers' Choice Award was an annual special edition magazine published by The Bryan-College Station Eagle, highlighting local businesses voted best by the community. I was tasked with developing a fresh visual theme for each year’s edition while maintaining consistency with the newspaper’s branding. The brief included designing the overall layout, creating custom advertisements, and ensuring the magazine was both visually engaging and commercially successful.
Concept & Results:
Each year, I collaborated closely with a cross-functional team of copywriters, designers, and sales representatives to bring the publication to life. I was responsible for setting the visual direction, executing the full layout design, and producing ad creative that aligned with client needs. This involved balancing editorial storytelling with ad-driven content in a cohesive, reader-friendly format. One of the key takeaways from this project was learning to lead design under real-world constraints—tight deadlines, multiple stakeholders, and shifting client needs. The final product consistently delivered a polished, visually compelling publication that supported both journalistic integrity and advertising goals. It was well-received by the community and became a valued annual showcase for local businesses.
