AMAZING HAPPENINGS DIGITAL MAGAZINE
AMAZING HAPPENINGS was to be launched as CreativeDrive’s online magazine.
I oversaw the visual design of the magazine/blog, and worked closely with our digital team in Costa Rica to manage wireframing and navigational structure.
I oversaw the visual design of the magazine/blog, and worked closely with our digital team in Costa Rica to manage wireframing and navigational structure.
The goal behind the magazine and behind its editorial and visual look was to alleviate the creative community’s fear of techology and also their apprehension of the studio’s adoption of more technology. In short - to humanize its face to the world and its commitment to creativity, creators, and their livelihood.
Full breakdown of content strategy below images.
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+ EVENTS SECTION TEMPLATE +
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AMAZING HAPPENINGS CONTENT STRATEGY
MAGAZINE STRUCTURE:
- Each monthly issue/theme will have a set number of 18 main articles:
- 2 Conversations (in-depth interviews)
- 4 Creative Spotlights
- 4 "People We Admire" (curated articles)
- 4 Culture articles
- 4 Technology articles
- Content outside the 18 main articles (Obsessions, No Comment, Coffee Links, Proverbs) will not be constrained by the monthly limits
- Navigation will be primarily text-based within the content, with category/section tags that link to filtered views
- The homepage will have a layered design with a "Light" section for branding, a "Theme" section highlighting the current focus, and a scrollable content "Feed"
CONTENT THEMES:
- Monthly themes will drive the content, with a mix of evergreen and timely articles
- Consistent sections/features across issues:
- Creators (Conversations, Innovators, People We Admire)
- Our Culture (Behind the Drive, Ways of Life, Ways to Create)
- Entertainment
- Technology
- Special features like "No Comment" videos, "Coffee Links", and "Proverbs"
- Each issue will have a call-to-action, expandable content, "Escape the Matrix" section, and dispersed quotes
This comprehensive magazine concept with its structured content plan, innovative navigation, and thematic approach was well-suited to position AMAZING HAPPENINGS as a thoughtful, visually engaging, and useful resource for the creative community. The focus on featuring diverse creators, behind-the-scenes of CreativeDrive, and a blend of entertainment and technology content aligned well with my broad CreativeDrive content strategy.
AMAZING HAPPENINGS UI/UX DESIGN
THE CHALLENGE
As the creative lead for CreativeDrive's new online publication AMAZING HAPPENINGS, I was responsible for conceptualizing the magazine, curating the content, designing the user experience, and developing the overall content strategy. The key objectives were to:
1. Humanize CreativeDrive's technological capabilities and position the company as a supportive partner for creatives.
2. Forge stronger connections with the creative community by providing a platform for diverse voices, perspectives, and forms of expression.
3. Establish AMAZING HAPPENINGS as a go-to resource for creative inspiration, thought leadership, and insider insights.
MY APPROACH
To meet these objectives, I took a user-centric, editorial-driven approach to the magazine's design and content strategy. I collaborated closely with the digital, editorial, and marketing teams to develop a comprehensive vision for the publication.
CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT & CONTENT CURATION
At the core of the magazine was a themed, issue-based structure that I conceptualized. Each month would have a distinct editorial theme that would guide the selection and curation of content. This allowed for a cohesive, immersive reading experience while also providing flexibility to cover a diverse range of creative disciplines and perspectives.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE & WIREFRAMING
To support the themed approach, I designed a navigational structure centered around three primary content pillars: Creators, Culture, and Technology. Within each pillar, there were specific content types and sections, such as Conversations (in-depth interviews), Creative Spotlights, and "People We Admire" (curated articles).
Rather than relying on traditional tab-based navigation, I opted for a more seamless, text-based approach. Category tags and section links were integrated directly into the content, allowing readers to easily discover related articles and explore the magazine's breadth of coverage. I wireframed these user flows and information architecture to validate the concept.
VISUAL DESIGN & CONTENT STRATEGY
The visual identity of AMAZING HAPPENINGS was crafted to be visually striking, editorial-forward, and highly responsive. The homepage used a layered design with a prominent "Light" section for branding, a "Theme" section highlighting the current focus, and a scrollable content "Feed."
Throughout the magazine, I employed a versatile grid system, bold typography, and dynamic image treatments to create a cohesive yet flexible aesthetic. This allowed the design to adapt to the diverse range of content, from long-form feature articles to short-form "No Comment" videos.
Storytelling was a key consideration in my content strategy, with dispersed quotes, calls-to-action, and expandable content sections woven throughout to enhance the reading experience and spark further engagement.
OUTCOME & IMPACT
The launch of AMAZING HAPPENINGS was a critical milestone in CreativeDrive's efforts to position itself as a leader in the creative technology space. The magazine's thoughtful design, user-friendly navigation, and compelling content helped to humanize the brand and forge stronger connections with the global creative community.
Over its first year*, AMAZING HAPPENINGS saw steady growth in readership and engagement, establishing it as a go-to resource for creative inspiration and insights. The magazine's unique blend of creator profiles, cultural exploration, and technology deep-dives resonated with its target audience, solidifying CreativeDrive's reputation as a trusted partner and advocate for the creative community.
*please note that CreativeDrive was acquired by Accenture in 2020 and all of its sites were subsumed under AccentureSong, which prioritized different goals.