Comicstan
Editorial Design

Comicstan

Target Audience

Comic book readers, pop culture enthusiasts, Graphic Design students

Tools

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator

Year

2025

About the Project

The concept for COMICSTAN arose from the desire to create a high-quality, print publication dedicated exclusively to celebrating comic artists and their creative worlds. Unlike general entertainment news, this magazine aims to provide in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and cultural appreciation for both classic masterpieces (Garfield, Peanuts, Superman) and contemporary creators. The goal was to give the artistry of the comic world a sophisticated editorial platform.

The Challenge

The main challenge was creating a flexible design system that could support both long-form text and large comic panels while keeping a unified visual identity. The design needed to balance nostalgic comic-playfulness with professional journalistic clarity and strong typographic structure.

The Solution

COMICSTAN showcases advanced magazine design, combining a disciplined grid system with visually dynamic editorial choices. It delivers a professional, engaging product that appeals to both design enthusiasts and comic lovers, demonstrating how systematic, hierarchical thinking can solve complex design challenges.

Project Gallery

Modular grid and color approach for the editorial system
Modular grid and color approach for the editorial system
Color palette and typography selections
Color palette and typography selections
Table of contents and section opener spread
Table of contents and section opener spread
Opening spread introducing the Garfield feature story
Opening spread introducing the Garfield feature story
Interview spread with layered illustrations
Interview spread with layered illustrations
Spread with image mosaics in color and black & white
Spread with image mosaics in color and black & white
Illustration-forward spread exploring Garfield fandom
Illustration-forward spread exploring Garfield fandom
Spread balancing large image and text blocks
Spread balancing large image and text blocks
Article spread balancing large image, text and comic strips
Article spread balancing large image, text and comic strips
Long-form article spread balancing text and spot graphics
Long-form article spread balancing text and spot graphics
Closing spread featuring comedian profiles
Closing spread featuring comedian profiles
Spine design system with seasonal color coding
Spine design system with seasonal color coding
Spring issue celebrating Jim Davis and Garfield’s cultural impact - a must-read in Volume 20, Issue 5
Spring issue celebrating Jim Davis and Garfield’s cultural impact - a must-read in Volume 20, Issue 5
A sunny June issue (Volume 22, Issue 6) celebrating Charles Schulz’s Peanuts - a nostalgic read for a lazy summer day
A sunny June issue (Volume 22, Issue 6) celebrating Charles Schulz’s Peanuts - a nostalgic read for a lazy summer day
Autumn Ascends! - a high-flying September tribute to Superman (origins and the 1978 movie) - Volume 24, Issue 7
Autumn Ascends! - a high-flying September tribute to Superman (origins and the 1978 movie) - Volume 24, Issue 7
Winter Warmth & Wee Little Smurfs: a joyful December celebration of Peyo and the Smurfs, Volume 25, Issue 8
Winter Warmth & Wee Little Smurfs: a joyful December celebration of Peyo and the Smurfs, Volume 25, Issue 8
Demonstrating the magazine in a natural, lifestyle setting
Demonstrating the magazine in a natural, lifestyle setting
A look inside the editorial spread
A look inside the editorial spread
The sophisticated integration of cinematic imagery and analytical text
The sophisticated integration of cinematic imagery and analytical text