Samantha H. Kim
Magazine Media Final Project: Misstique
Assignment:
"Research and write a proposal for the launch of a new media brand or relaunch of an existing one. Your proposal should sell the idea of your brand, outline a strategy to maximize its editorial, marketing, sales and interactive potential—and be written with a media company CEO in mind. In preparing your written and oral presentations, please keep in mind that you are developing a full brand, which may include print or digital or both, with multiple revenue streams and platforms. In addition, prepare to make a PowerPoint presentation about your proposal during class 7. For this presentation, imagine you are pitching your idea to a media company CEO (instructor) and his or her teams of senior advisors (your fellow students); anticipate and prepare to answer the type of real-world questions they might ask."
Mission Statement:
Avant-garde at its heart, Misstique is an open-submission magazine channeling the essence of femininity and womanhood. Offering readers everything from characterful recipes and soulful poetry to fearless photography and awe-inspiring stories, Misstique provides all generations with a means to explore the creative dimensions of the feminine.
My Role, Creative Process, and Inspiration:
My role in the project was to design the covers and ads within the magazine. Using Photoshop and utilizing my photography background, I came up with the concept behind the design for the front and back covers of Misstique.
Front Cover
Back Cover
Cover Design
Misstique’s first issue “Hell Hath No Fury Like Women Scorned” revolves around the concept of breaking the glass ceiling and the anger or frustration that those who identify with the feminine face. The cover depicts a monochrome photo of a diverse group of women which symbolizes the misconception that gender is black and white. The shattered mirror serves as a metaphor for disrupting gender norms and stereotypes conjured by society.
Ad Design & Placement
Ads are dispersed throughout the magazine and are designed to fit the issue. While our ad clients will have control over their advertisements, they will be encouraged to create ads that are in alignment with the sentiment of each issue’s theme. Our first ad is for Noonlight, a safety app, and corresponds with the purpose of the feature story, “How to be a Good Thief.” Moleskine, a stationary brand co-founded by female entrepreneur, Maria Sebregondi, was also thoughtfully selected as an ad due to the creative open-source nature of our magazine. The back cover features an ad inspired by Essie, a major nail polish brand founded by Essie Weingarten. To depict anger and frustration, the ad is of a woman’s hand squeezing a lemon. Women have always been told that their role is in the home and kitchen, and by incorporating a household ingredient juxtaposed with the bold red of the Essie nail polish, we aimed to convey the message that women can simultaneously be fierce and feminine.