We were honoured to have been given the task to design Vogue’s revolutionary digital-first launch, conducting their grand introduction to the Middle East. On two levels we were turning an industry on its head. This launch permanently marks the publishing industry, prioritising digital over print for the first time. There were vast challenges in terms of prestige and implications, also bearing in mind that our design would have to suit both the Arabic and English language, both left to right and right to left reading manners. The unbelievably demanding technical requirements of the project loomed large. An early conversation with Vogue’s Editor in Chief and International Art Director, Princess Deena and Fiona respectively, established the tone the design needed to be.
They reminded us in no uncertain terms that the image is everything, and everyone agreed that our work would reflect the finest traits of traditional print aesthetics, with elements such as large and overlapping logos, big typography, and bigger images, while bringing the iconic brand into a digital-first future at the same time. Perfection was the benchmark.
This is Vogue.
"Framed in striking black and gold, the glossy digital pages look, in many ways, like the world’s most powerful fashion magazine."
- The New York Times, November 1, 2016.