PLANNING – LAYOUT & FONTS

INITIAL LAYOUT IDEAS

After establishing the concept of my magazine, I started exploring how the layout should reflect the overall identity of the publication.

I began with a few rough sketches to visualise the structure of:

• the cover page

• the contents page

• the double-page spread

These sketches were not meant to be final designs, but rather a way to organise ideas and experiment with placement, spacing, and hierarchy.

From these early drafts, I realised that my magazine should follow a minimal and highly structured layout, where each element has a clear purpose and enough space to stand out.

LAYOUT DIRECTION

Unlike more commercial automotive magazines that often feel crowded, I decided to keep my layout:

• clean and balanced

• focused on large, impactful images

• supported by limited but precise text

This approach reflects the idea that the cars themselves are the main focus, and the layout should not distract from them.

I also plan to use:

• strong alignment (grid-based layout)

• consistent spacing

• clear visual hierarchy

This ensures the magazine feels controlled, premium, and easy to navigate.

COVER DESIGN APPROACH

For the cover, I decided to keep the composition very minimal.

It will include:

• the masthead (Velocità)

• one main image (dominant visual)

• very limited cover lines

This choice is influenced by luxury branding, where less information creates more impact.

The goal is for the cover to feel more like a collector’s object rather than a typical commercial magazine.

FONT SELECTION

Typography plays a key role in communicating the tone of the magazine.

For this reason, I selected fonts that feel:

• elegant

• timeless

• refined

Main font (body text)

I chose a serif font similar to New Hero / Didot-style fonts, because:

• it reflects editorial quality

• it improves readability for longer texts

• it reinforces the premium feel

Headings and titles

For headings, I selected a more modern serif or clean display font, which:

• creates contrast with body text

• helps establish hierarchy

• keeps the design visually interesting

Masthead (Velocità)

The masthead uses a classic serif style, inspired by luxury brands.

This ensures:

• strong brand identity

• consistency across pages

• a timeless aesthetic that does not depend on trends

TEXT VS IMAGE BALANCE

A key decision in my layout is the balance between text and image.

Instead of filling pages with text, I will:

• prioritise large, high-quality visuals

• use short, structured paragraphs

• include white space to enhance readability

This approach aligns with my concept, where cars are presented as art pieces, not just technical subjects.

COLOUR APPROACH

For typography and layout, I will mainly use:

• black

• white

• subtle neutral tones

This keeps the design:

• clean

• consistent

• visually calm

It also allows the colours of the cars to stand out naturally, without competing elements.

REFLECTION

Through this planning process, I developed a layout that supports my concept rather than competing with it.

By focusing on:

• simplicity

• structure

• strong visual hierarchy

I am able to create a magazine that feels premium, controlled, and visually refined.

These decisions will guide the creation of my final pages and ensure consistency across the entire magazine.