Blackness was conceived and structured as an independent literary and cultural periodical dedicated to celebrating, showcasing, and honoring prominent Black authors and artists.
Rather than relying on standard commercial templates, the project required a deliberate curatorial framework: researching, selecting, and compiling foundational essays, interviews, and works from favorite Black literary voices into a cohesive, beautifully paced print edition. The goal was to give these works a visual environment as powerful and intentional as the writing itself.
Format & Proportion: Formatted at a standard 8.5" × 11" magazine trim size, providing a generous canvas for feature spreads, pull quotes, and striking photography/artwork integration.
Typographic System: Set in Sabon (12 pt) for body text—chosen for its refined, warm humanist qualities and exceptional readability across dense periodical columns.
Vertical Grid & Composition: Engineered on a rigid 16 pt Baseline Grid with Fully Justified alignment paired with the Adobe Paragraph Composer enabled, ensuring immaculate column alignment, zero rivers, and a polished editorial rhythm.
Feature Pacing: Designed distinct visual treatments for section intros, feature articles, and pull quotes to guide the reader through the publication seamlessly.
This project demonstrates high-level Editorial Art Direction, proving the ability to conceptualize a publication from a blank page, curate and organize external content, and execute professional-grade periodical formatting. It highlights complete control over multi-column layouts, masthead branding, and long-form editorial typesetting.