Happily ever after
Making a fairy tale come true – Washingtonian Bride and Groom. – Washingtonian
As DC’s premier city magazine, Washingtonian launched a biannual publication focused on brides, grooms and weddings.
Approached to develop an overall look and feel for the magazine, Design Army worked on every aspect of the publication, creating it from the ground up. Our goal was to establish Washingtonian Bride and Groom as more than a source for bridal dresses, while extending it into a comprehensive fashion guide. We developed concepts, designed layouts, created custom typography, and art directed up to five editorial stories per issue.
We created a modern day fairy tale, highlighting the beauty of bridal dresses. Choosing a formal garden as a backdrop, and using clean elegant typography, we intentionally sought to develop a classic look and feel for this story. Here, our heroine sets off on a journey in search of romance. The lush green, sculpted topiaries create a stark contrast to the pure white gowns. Throughout the pages, we get glimpses of a mystery man who she always seems to miss – but we know she’s destined to find her happily ever after.
Inspired by the bold copy, and loud proclamations of celebrity magazines and tabloids, we created a concept that put the bride squarely in the “headlines.” Using a mix of typography, from script to 3D, vivid colors and geometric shapes, the story is playful, while breaking the “rules.” Design Army took bridal beauty to a whole new realm.
For every issue we were continuously driven to push the boundaries, while bringing fresh ideas, creating visually dynamic layouts and exciting photography. With “Start Spreading the News,” the overall concept was inspired by the many ways to make the “big announcement.” We designed statement typography that was bold yet elegant and had the power to speak for itself.
Moving past the formulaic manner in which engagement rings and fine jewelry are photographed, we developed a concept to bring fashion into the forefront. Going fully against the grain for bridal, we shot against a bold, black background while matching manicures to jewels. We also created custom typography with faceted graphic elements that mirrored diamonds.
