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Magazine Design: The Passion Behind Our Editorial Work
The iconic magazines that shaped my passion,
like The Face and the bold Portuguese magazine K.
Written by Margarida Girão.
My Design Journey
It was at the awesome University of Aveiro (respect!) that I first encountered design software. Then, in 2010, under Mário Rodrigues’ wing, I properly dove into Editorial Design at GINGKO magazine (HAVE A NICE DAY Publishers). That’s when InDesign grabbed me—though these days my software of choice is Affinity.
Why Editorial Design?
Editorial design is absolutely one of my favorites.
Why? Because I simply love the challenge of two core principles:
Mastering Content Structure: Organizing information clearly and intuitively is fundamental so the message is conveyed effectively and captures attention. It’s the backbone of a good editorial piece.
Developing Elegant and Harmonious Pages: The art of balancing all visual elements to create a design that’s not only beautiful but also enhances readability and the overall experience. It’s aesthetics in service of communication.
The Influence of The Face
And speaking of The Face, its importance to editorial design and youth culture is undeniable.
” (…) played a vital role in creating contemporary culture. Musicians featured on its covers achieved global success, and the models it championed – including a young Kate Moss – became the most recognizable faces of their time. The magazine also launched the careers of many leading photographers and fashion stylists, who were given the creative freedom to radically reimagine the visual language of fashion photography and define the spirit of their times. Relaunched in 2019, the magazine continues to be a disruptive and creative space for image-makers, championing fresh talent in photography, fashion, music, and graphic design. “
– source: National Portrait Gallery
The Influence of the Icons
The importance of The Face to editorial design and youth culture is undeniable. During its original run (1980–2004), it played a vital role in creating contemporary culture, launching the careers of top photographers and models (like a young Kate Moss), and defining the spirit of its times. The magazine was relaunched in 2019 and continues to provide a disruptive space for image-makers and new talent.
Just like The Face, the magazine K, despite its brief run in Portugal during the 90s, always represented a visual boldness and an irreverent sense of humour that inspires me. Both, each in their own way, demonstrate the power of a strong editorial vision and striking design.
A Source of Inspiration
For anyone curious to understand why these magazines are such important references for me and for our work here at A NEW DAY, I highly recommend looking further into their history and impact. They are a constant source of inspiration for our approach to editorial design.
© A NEW DAY, 8 April 2025
Photo: Jess Loiterton, Pexels
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