Magma Manchester is an independent bookstore in England.

The objectives for this project were to create an advertisement for the Manchester location. With copy supplied, we were tasked with progressive exercises that began strictly with typographical layout, later adding color, multiple font weights and application of images.

Books are such a bonding connection between people, ideas and community. I wanted to find an intersection between all three while keeping my design engaging to the audience. After trying out many iterations that played with type, placement and color, I found using a grid was the most successful way to present the information in a manner that allowed the images to provide a historical aesthetic, yet remain visually sophisticated. Use of sans serif fonts give the design a modern flair.

In all my projects I feel starting very broad and tend to design a bit lavishly, but after multiple passes, my final compositions tend to be more settled, less busy and breathe easier. Looking back, the amount of work I created to get to the final design was helpful in brainstorming and getting outside of my comfort zone. A lot of times you work with deadlines, so you aren’t afforded this much space to experiment and conceptualize. This project taught me how to design on multiple levels and to think in a non-linear approach.

Since finishing this ad, the Manchester location has unfortunately closed. But they continue to maintain the company website and have two other locations you can visit while staying in London.