FIRESTARTER
for OffTheRails
OffTheRails is a magazine made by artists, creatives and tastemakers, aimed at those in the creative industries. It covers fashion, music, art and alternative forms of expression.
The title supports aspiring photographers and artists by giving them a forum to show their work. While the magazine has a defined visual style it has no fixed editorial policy, its fluid content being curated by a diverse community. The printed title is distributed in 32 countries, and the brand encompasses broadcast, digital and experiential elements.
Shunning traditional advertising, the title achieves high production standards, mixing matt and gloss finishes and different papers throughout. It has accumulated 20,000 online subscribers and 250,000 followers on Instagram.
The magazine is released seasonally and this autumn issue FIRESTARTER, positions the design and content as a repost to the turbulent times we live in. The issue’s message is “Learning to live again”.
The judges said: “Feels very current and appropriate for the magazine, embracing a highly experimental approach upheld by strong design princpiples.”
Derry Girls
by 4creative, for Channel 4
With the third series of cult TV comedy Derry Girls approaching, Channel 4 decided to tap into a growing trend for retro 90s nostalgia to help make the show an unmissable hit.
To do so it brought back Smash Hits – the iconic teen magazine from the time – for a one-off special issue. The tactic harnessed the love of 90s pop culture shared by the characters of Derry Girls, with 28 pages of articles that included fashion shoots starring the characters, how-to-dance guides, advice columns and record reviews.
Research for the special issue included hunting down old copies of Smash Hits on eBay, while the 1990s editor of Smash Hits was brought on board to ensure authenticity. The one-off publication was distributed with Heat magazine and handed out across the UK.
FutureDeluxe X – Past. Present. Future
by FilthyMedia, for FutureDeluxe
Creative studio FutureDeluxe created this limited edition monograph to showcase its first decade of work. Using a range of paper stocks, inks and finishes, alongside a series of unique slipcases to reflect the diversity of work from the studio, the limited edition of 300 books was distributed to existing and prospective clients in December 2022.
The brief called for a beautiful book to celebrate 10 years of digital creativity. This created the challenge of distilling a vast archive of moving images from screen to paper without losing their impact. A narrative structure was created by dividing the book into past, present and future sections.
Made With Love by Tom Daley
by Nic&Lou, for Harper Collins
A book about knitting by an Olympian swimmer may seem like an unusual pitch, but it would seem perfectly natural to viewers of competitive swimming. Tom Daley received a hugely positive reaction to his knitting habit at the last Olympic Games, leading to HQ – a division of Harper Collins – commissioning the title.
The brief called for a genre-busting design that broke the mould, with an exciting visual dynamism. The book would have to appeal not just to an audience of existing knitters, but to the many fans of Tom Daley who might be expected to buy it.
Bold graphic statements, a bright and unexpected colour palette and knitting-inspired illustrations combined with a reverse contrast, geometric sans serif typeface packed a big punch that drove the book on to best seller lists around the world.
Editorial Design
HALL OF FAME WINNERS
shortlisted
winner
