Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: Stanford University

Title of entry: Magazines - May 2021 and July 2021

About this entry: Across five issues of STANFORD magazine each year, we make an effort to have covers that appeal to all alumni. What we’ve found is that readers appreciate a mix of stories that include alumni journeys, Stanford-based research and perspectives has the potential to speak to all alums of Stanford: younger and older, undergraduate and graduate, and those with a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences. In focus groups, readers expressed high regard for the impactful and varied photography and clever illustrations they find in the pages of STANFORD. We also learned our younger alumni and students think of print as an “offline magazine.” Conditioned from consuming content online, they need print to be both “special” (think: size, coatings/finishes and design) and include clear way-finding devices (readers informed a need for cues to signal the continuation of one story or the start of another).

The design includes ample space for hero visuals, a photo essay, white space and pull-quotes. Color-coded design devices such as arrows, diagonal lines, section titles, and running titles across features help readers keep track of where they are and easily scan for what to read next.

We also limit fractional ads and are judicious about their placements in issues, offering a more streamlined reading experience.

The result is a delight to our alumni. We regularly receive positive letters on not only the stories in STANFORD but also the art and design.