Pigeon Magazine – May Issue 2
Editorial design and art direction for Pigeon Magazine, May Issue 2, the University of Wolverhampton’s independent lifestyle publication.
Project Summary
Client / Brand: University of Wolverhampton, School of Art
Year: May 2023
Role: Art Director, Graphic Designer, Copywriter
Duration: 5 weeks
Sector: Creative Publishing
Disciplines: Design, Print, Magazine Editorial Design
Tools Used: Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat
Project Overview
Pigeon Magazine is the University of Wolverhampton’s independent monthly lifestyle publication, created to spotlight local creatives and cultural events across Wolverhampton and the Black Country. For the second May issue, I was selected as the art director, taking the lead on both the copywriting and the full A4 editorial layout.
Stepping into this role, I focused on shaping the visual direction, refining the written content, and ensuring that every page aligned with the issue’s chosen theme while remaining true to Pigeon’s established brand identity. It was an opportunity to bring cohesion, personality, and purpose to a publication designed to celebrate the community it represents.
Objectives
The goal was to create an 8–12 page lifestyle magazine that visually and editorially celebrated regional creative industries. Each issue of Pigeon Magazine focused on a distinct theme, designed to showcase local talent, highlight cultural events, and provide opportunities for under-represented individuals and independent creatives.
Design Approach
I began by researching a range of magazine layouts for inspiration, as well as exploring current arts and culture events in Wolverhampton and the Black Country to ensure the issue featured timely, relevant stories. From there, I wrote the editorial copy, shaping it to match the magazine’s tone while remaining interesting and keeping clarity and reader engagement at the forefront. I used a grammar checker to refine the language and flow, ensuring the final content felt professional.
With the copy finalised, I set up the 12 page magazine in Adobe InDesign to design the magazine spreads in an A4 portrait format, using a 12-grid system with a three-column layout. The Pigeon logo was designed by another student and included as a shared asset to maintain visual consistency across all editions. On the front cover, I placed the bold “Pigeon” masthead in the top-left corner to reinforce the magazine’s identity and paired it with the tagline Explore & Discover to set the tone for the issue.
To differentiate this particular edition, I designed a halftone cover image featuring the University of Wolverhampton’s Alumni City buildings and applied a monochrome turquoise tint. This urban, print-inspired aesthetic reflected both the region’s character and the creative spirit of the magazine.
For the inner spreads, I used consistent paragraph styles covering fonts, sizes, and colours to ensure consistency, save time, and simplify edits while still allowing each article spread room to express its own visual personality. I also edited imagery to complement the written content and worked carefully within the grid system, maintaining alignment and cohesion. This blend of consistency and subtle variation resulted in a visually engaging and well-balanced reading experience.
Outcome
For production of the magazine, I prepared the file in CMYK and exported a print-ready PDF with bleeds and crop marks. I selected 200gsm silk paper for a smooth, high-quality finish and used saddle-stitch binding to deliver a professional yet cost-effective final publication.
This May issue highlighted several key regional stories, including:
The Black Country Level Up Grant
Highlights from the British Art Show 9 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
A curated guide to upcoming regional events and exhibitions
Conclusion
This project successfully delivered a cohesive, engaging, and visually rich publication that reflects the magazine’s mission to inspire and inform. The issue highlighted key regional stories such as the Black Country Level Up Grant, standout moments from the British Art Show 9 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, and a curated guide to upcoming local events and exhibitions.
Results
The final print edition was very well received, earning positive feedback for its clear structure, strong visual identity, and engaging presentation. It successfully delivered on Pigeon’s mission to inform, inspire, and represent the creative scene of Wolverhampton and the Black Country, while showcasing a polished, professional finish.
