Career Case Studies
An in-depth look at creative arts project development and professionals
Our career case studies provide a detailed look at the design professionals and the key steps involved in creating a finished piece of creative work. The first case study is perfect for print-focused graphic designers. Further case studies in the works will turn the spotlight on other design fields.
We asked HOW magazine to illustrate what goes into producing a print publication. Editor Bryn Mooth was kind enough to introduce us to the team that developed the cover story, relative layouts, and illustrations of the "Design Business Annual" issue of HOW magazine. This study clarifies how the people specific professional roles in the design world collaborate in teams, and how those teams work together to create a beautifully designed magazine.
The Project Cover Design
For the cover of HOW's Design Business Annual, art director Bridgid McCarren knew she wanted a cut-paper look for the illustration and contacted Helen Musselwhite. Bridgid provided the technical specs for the project (general layout and dimensions) and deadlines. She also provided notes from a brainstorming session the HOW staff held to discuss ideas for the cover.
Helen produced three sketches, each with a different concept and color scheme. The HOW team chose their favorite, and Bridgid followed up with more detailed feedback about color and the placement of elements in the image. Helen then created the final illustration.
Story Design
For a story on "consorting" in this issue of HOW, art director Bridgid McCarren researched possible illustrators (looking online, at promotional mailings she has on file, and at illustration directories) to find an artist whose style and concepting ability matched the project. She contacted illustrator Shaw Nielsen, and the two collaborated to define the conceptual direction. Shaw created sketches for two to three different concepts; Bridgid chose one and provided feedback and Shaw finalized the artwork. Bridgid created the layout for the magazine incorporating the text and illustration.
Editor Bryn Mooth worked with business consultant and frequent HOW contributor David C. Baker on the subject. After discussing with her editorial colleagues to set the direction for the story, she assigned the article to David, then edited the manuscript for style and grammar when it was delivered.
The Team
Art Director: Bridgid McCarren - www.howdesign.com
In addition to designing HOW magazine, directing photography and illustration and developing the brand across multiple platforms, such as HOW's Web sites, competitions, and conferences, Bridgid has discovered a love for judging design competitions. She enjoys the opportunity to view global work and spot innovative design among a mass of entries.
Editor: Bryn Mooth - www.howdesign.com
Bryn's involvement with HOW magazine spans more than 20 years. During that time, she has written about design and the business of design, organized and judged design competitions and spoken at various professional events, including HOW's Design Conference and MYOB Conference, and AIGA chapter events.
Freelance Artist/Cover Illustration: Helen Musselwhite - www.helenmusselwhite.com
Helen is an illustrator and artist working in the UK; her work has a distinctive hand-crafted quality that blends folk art styles and modern shapes and colors. Each piece combines the hand cutting, folding and scoring of a wide range of papers and card that are further worked on to create patterned and textured surfaces. They are then used to build scenes in box frames that are often complex and consist of many layers. This process means that each item of work is truly individual; no two pieces are the same.
Freelance Artist/Story Illustration: Shaw Nielsen - www.shawnielsen.com
Shaw is an award-winning artist, illustrator and designer whose work has appeared in magazines, advertising, posters, and newspapers around the world. He was educated at the Academy of Art in San Francisco and he currently lives and works in Denver. His clients include HOW, The San Francisco Chronicle, Baltimore Magazine, The Denver Zoo, and Jack & Jill magazine.
Freelance Writer/Story Author: David C. Baker - www.recourses.com
David is principal of ReCourses Inc., a consultancy based in Nashville, TN, that advises independent firms and in-house departments in the fields of advertising, design, interactive, and public relations, typically working with 40 new firms every year. David and his work have been discussed in the The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Inc. magazine, and BusinessWeek. He also contributed portions of Cameron Foote's The Business Side of Creativity, Robert Bly's Internet Direct Mail: The Complete Guide to Successful E-Mail Marketing Campaigns, and the new AIGA book Professional Practices in Graphic Design. His newest book, Managing (Right) for the First Time, was released in June.
Case studies explore the tasks and roles in real-world design projects, like this one from HOW magazine.
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