Brill's Content

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, May, 2000

Brill's Content

PANELISTS: Alexander Isley, the principal of Alexander Isley Inc., and David Mail, vice president, publication design of Roger Black Inc.

Isley

COVER DESIGN

Crisper, more buttoned-down and efficient, reflecting the new visual approach throughout. While I appreciated the idea behind the old logo, after a few issues the gag was starting to wear thin. Nice use of a few, well-chosen coverlines; seems more confident and less desperate.

TYPOGRAPHY/GRAPHICS

The new spread-and-single-page TOC serves as an informative introduction to the book. Overall, there is a more simplified design approach. We can now open Grill's Content to any page and know that we're in a consistent environment. They do a good job of establishing a solid format.

ACCESSIBILITY

There is less of a hodgepodge in the overall look. Accessibility remains fundamentally consistent with what was there before, which was pretty good. No need to change things for the sake of change: That's part of good design as well.

COMMENTS

This redesign is notable because it's one of the few instances where the entire presentation of a publication (design, advertising and marketing) has been undertaken by an advertising agency. The repositioning of Brill's Content is assured and consistent throughout. They have presented a publication that is more focused and intelligent. Let's hope they can find their audience.

Matt

CONVER DESIGN

Big improvement--I like its clean but gritty look, and I'm in the "like it" camp on the logo. There's something cool and graphic about it. I'm also a fan of the "Skepticism Is A Virtue" logo on the cover--nice branding. The cover benefits from coverlines presented in a more hierarchical manner, as opposed to the "shotgun" method so desperately employed these days.

TYPOGRAPHY/GRAPHICS

Overall, it's been cleaned up, organized and restrained. The FOB pull-quotes mirroring the "Skepticism" bug is a nice touch, and I like the super simple color palette, letting the short, well-written display type and photos both be the stars and do the work. However, the infographics are a little boring. They need to lighten up and have some fun.

ACCESSIBILITY

Much improved. Its new simplicity separates well from the advertising and is a handsome vehicle for it. Navigation throughout the book is a cinch, and legibility was obviously a priority.

COMMENTS

More than a successful face-lift, this redesign represents the focus of both art and edit striving to make a better magazine. It feels more serious and closer to its mission of being a watchdog for the media industry.