National Planning Policy Framework is fundamentally flawed says Countryside Voice

The latest issue of Countryside Voice, the member magazine for the Campaign to Protect Rural England has been published by Think. The magazine, which I design, persuasively campaigns against the government's National Planning Policy Framework. Also inside are features on delicious regional food, modern farming champions and landscape photography.

Had its chips

While visiting a client in Rugby I walked past a chippy that had closed down. I loved the faded typographic design.

Attention! Redesign and training for Equipped magazine

A quick redesign and training meant Equipped magazine's new look was sent to the printers on time. I spent a week in their Glasgow office working with MD David Riddell and editor Jenny Hjul to pull together the new issue with-first time designer Blair Carrick.

Equipped (formerly EQPD) offers the armed forces and its veterans advice and help with property, finance, lifestyle, resettlement and education, training and employment. It is distributed to all ranks, veterans and their families.

Escape Winter

The Winter issue of Escape, the First Great Western free passenger magazine can now be picked up on trains in the South West and London.

Designed on behalf of Think Publishing

The Adventures of Bradley and Friends for Red Kite

I designed a 12 page 'bible' to promote a new animated series called 'The adventures of Bradley and friends' for Redkite.

The Adventures of Bradley and Friends is a CGI animated, pre-school series that follows the adventures of a lively young boy on his travels to story worlds from around the globe.

PPA Scotland Awards Shortlist Announced

The PPA Scotland 2011 Magazine Awards shortlist was announced today with a few magazines I'm involved with included in the selection.

Boots & Spurs The National Clarion member magazine has been shortlisted for member magazine of the year and best professional and business magazine design.

My redesign for TESS (Times Educational Supplement Scotland) has been shortlisted for best magazine cover and best business and professional magazine. Congratulations to TESS editor, Gillian Macdonald who has been shortlisted in the best business and professional editor catagory

Congratulations also to Think Publishing who have been recognised in a number of categories. The Biologist (I designed the winning pitch) is shortlisted for best business and professional magazine. Discover NLS, the National Library of Scotland magazine and Escape, the First Great Western passenger magazine (both of which I design) have been shortlisted for best customer magazine. In the best member magazine category Historic Scotland (which I design) has been shortlisted. Think's John Innes has also been selected for the publisher of the year award.

More information on the PPA website

Use the 'hotspot'

The hotspot is the only part of the cover that guarantees visibility. It makes up the 5% of cover space at the top left hand corner and is visible when magazines are stacked with either the left hand or top of the cover is in view.

The latest issue of the redesigned Fly Fishing & Fly Tying magazine uses the hotspot to sell the magazine's core values:

• '17 NET BUSTING FLY PATTERNS'. The language is bold and the number adds value to the magazine, there is a clear benefit to buying the magazine.
• The image of the fly is aspirational, something the reader can achieve.
• The inset of an expert tying a fly shows the magazine will help its readers achieve a goal.