Intro
Setting the stage for a new project is always the most electric part of the process. For NextGEN Athletics, the goal isn't just to report scores; it’s to capture the grit of the comeback. Here is the blueprint for the visual and editorial soul of the magazine.
The NextGEN Style Guide:
1. Typography: Bold & Dynamic
Title of the masthead: A modern, simplified version of a typeface used widely because it gives off a fast, energetic feel to the reader. This was done by using an italic typeface and displaying it in a sans-serif style.
Title for the main feature: Mixed weight font used for the title (all caps) can create a feeling of urgency; therefore, the last part of the title was highlighted with color.
Title for the secondary headline: Sections of the article (like, REHAB SECRETS) have used a simple and clean typeface with all capitals. The weight difference helps to keep a hierarchy.
2. Color Palette: Contrast & "The Pink Pop"
As the primary color of the jerseys and shadows for text, Deep Shadow Black has a gritty nature that provides a strong base for the overall design of the uniforms.
High Visibility Pink (#FF69B4), also known as Hot Pink, is used as an accent on the Captain's armbands and in the word BACK; these choices are meant to highlight the idea of breaking away from traditional masculine design but still feel youthful and modern.
Clean White has been implemented for use on any secondary text as well as in the NextGEN masthead because it is the easiest color to read against both grass and sky backgrounds.
3. Photography & Composition
With a different approach to how athletes are represented, instead of capturing the typical, traditional "hero" angle where the main subject is facing the audience. We decided to capture Jorge Rey III in a profile from behind. This represents the solitude-as-a-result of injuring himself and also the long journey back to where he wants to be.
The natural lighting from above creates a soft, gray day that has a very cinematic feel to it and captures the overall somber feeling related to "the untold story of redemption".
By placing the "Gatoridas" logo directly onto the magazine cover, it grounds the magazine in what would be considered traditional/realistic sports media.
4. Layout Elements
The "Premiere" Badge: A circular seal in the top right to signal authority and "award-winning" quality.
Professional Folio: Inclusion of a barcode, price point ($9.99 USD), and Volume/Issue info to give it a retail-ready feel.
How I Created This Style Guide
This guide wasn't just built on theory; it was built on the mood of that cover photo. I wanted the design to feel as heavy as the story. By looking at the raw image of Jorge on the field, it became clear that the typography needed to be "loud" to balance the "quiet" energy of the photo.
I chose the pink accent specifically because it matched the captain's armband in the photo, creating a visual "thread" that ties the text to the subject. This makes the design feel intentional rather than just slapped on top of an image.
Analysis: Direction & Progress
The design of my project has greatly influenced my choice of projects.
Change of direction - at first when considering images for the cover of the magazine, I was thinking of having more action oriented images. After viewing an image of a "quiet" moment, I’ve now been convinced that the magazine's focus should be more about the psychological side of sports than the physical side.
Is the direction I’m taking correct? Yes, the contrast of a rough subject matter with a more polished "glossy" layout (award badge and barcode) is appealing to my target audience for the magazine aged 8-18.
Issue 1: The logo for Gatoridas along with the “Rehab Secrets” titles creates an impression of the magazine as a resource rather than just a publication of stories. It also serves as a connection between being a "portfolio project" and being a "real world product".
Reflect: What’s Next?
Next up is finalizing Jorge Rey’s story as I am going to convert the notes that I took from our discussion into his story.
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