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MADNN magazine

In the untamed realms of Iceland's wilderness, In the heart of nature's

grandeur on a journey of discovery, delving deep into the primal essence of instinct.
 

The second edition 'instinct' of MADNN magazine explores the raw beauty of natural landscapes that inspire and shape our emotional journey, blending vivid imagery and earthy tones to visually depict the transition from Iceland's landscapes to the depths of human feeling.
 

Points of contact: art directing, styling, ​photography, editing, editorial design.

my roles: editor of 'MADNN' magzine.Co author, creator andexecutive of the article “we danced"

Magazine lunch and exhibit

On a Friday evening in May 24th, three months into our work on the magazine, we hosted a festive launch event on a rooftop at sunset. Many attended to admire the magazine and its photography, sharing in our joy as we introduced it to the world. Limited edition copies were sold, and guests enjoyed music, drinks, and great company.

EDITORIAL DESIGN

In the untamed realms of Iceland's wilderness,In the heart of nature's grandeur on a journey of discovery, delvingdeep into the primal essence of instinct.

Through seven articles, withine the breathtaking landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, we invite you to join us on an odyssey of intuition, where every step unveils the raw beauty and untamed spirit of instinct.

LAYOUT

we thoughtfully divided it into three distinct sections, each with its own thematic color and focus.

The pages of the magazine are matte recycled paper, which absorbs colors naturally and gives the magazine an earthy, organic feel. This choice of material reinforces the magazine's connection to nature and the environment, enhancing the overall sensory experience for the reader.

 

The first section, Destruction, is rendered in vibrant orange. This part of the magazine represents the pre-creation phase, showcasing volcanic activity and the raw, untamed energy of the Earth.

The middle section, Chronicle, is in stark black, symbolizing the origin. This segment features our Icelandic adventure, with the article itself printed on glossy black pages that create a striking contrast and serve as a central divide within the magazine. This glossy finish emphasizes the significance of our personal narrative amid the broader themes.

The final section, Creation, is colored green and depicts the emergence of life and the world's creation. This part of the magazine represents renewal and growth, concluding the thematic journey from chaos to order.

TYPOGRAPHY

"Instink typeface" is a font developed from intuitive patterns of nature elements collected during our stay in Iceland.Each letter was extracted from the shape left by frozen water drops after being stepped on. In the same way that our journey through the Icelandic landscape was intuitive, so were our steps in it, and the patterns and the trace we left behind were the basis used for the development of the main typeface of this issue 02 of MADNN Mag.

COVER

Designing the cover was a particularly intricate part of the process. We selected an interactive font and incorporated a snow-like texture to give the cover a unique, tactile feel. To enhance the title, we used a special finishing technique that made the text both prominent and glossy. This combination of interactive elements and high-quality finishes created a striking and memorable cover that set the tone for the entire magazine.

PRINTING PROCESS

Sending our magazine to print was a meticulous process that involved several stages of review and refinement. We carefully proofed each page multiple times, ensuring that every detail was perfect before proceeding. This included multiple test prints to check for color accuracy and layout precision, making adjustments as necessary to achieve the desired result.

WE DANCED article

The common instinct between human and landscape.

WE DANCED is a fictitious story in which mountains and rivers, clouds and grass take the floor to narrate, from a valley without exact coordinates in lceland, the story of centuries of instinct for survival between people and the landscape.

TOPIC

the article tells about the relationship between human behavior and the behavior of the Earth's landscapes as a one constant communication. Our instinct, originally sharpened through experimentation within Earth's landscapes, now witnesses a reversal: it is the Earth's instinct that reacts to our inhabitation of landscapes. In essence, both Earth and humans come from the same origins, making it evident that our instincts are interconnected. Ultimately, regardless of the perspective, our instincts remain fundamentally aligned.

This poetic visual methapors are the key to WE DANCED which explores in a lyrical, visual and ferocious imaginative approach the origins of instinct beyond human behavior, going deeper in the relations and reactions of the physical elements that link us to the surroundings, the land and our most deep intuition. Told from the perspective of the elements of the landscape this poetic but fable like story will deep in the connection of human and landscape trough instinct.

Throughout three phases, we transition from close-up shots to wide angles, from softness to sharpness, and from intimacy to distance, both in photography and editorial layout. The narrative unfolds through vibrant photographs depicting instinctive acts. Throughout the article, a metaphorical relationship between the text and images can be appreciated.

STORY AND VISUAL PLAN

Beginning: The Landscape Alone

Narrative: The landscape is shown alone, representing beauty and tranquility.

Visuals: The landscape in its natural state, beautiful and quiet.

Styling: Gentle, white, partial nudity.ֿ

Middle phase: The Human Arrives

Narrative: Initial contact between humans and the landscape, highlighting softness and similarities.

Visuals: Images showing similarities in shapes, colors, and feelings.

Photos that continue one another in the same line or composition.

Styling: Comparisons through form and color.

End phase: Power Struggles and Emotions

Narrative: The relationship hits a rough patch, with power struggles and strong emotions.

Visuals:The human is small compared to the powerful landscape.

Sharp, drastic body poses.

The landscape in warmer colors, representing lava and aggression.

Styling: Black layers, aggressive and intense.

Pre production

Our pre-production phase was rigorous. We planned each frame meticulously to ensure it aligned with our concept and narrative. A detailed storyboard was created to guide our visual storytelling process, illustrating each planned shot in detail.

 

CASTING AND STYLING were crucial components of our preparation. We selected a model who could embody the essence of our narrative and curated a wardrobe that would enhance our visual themes. We checked the model’s existing wardrobe for fitting items and supplemented as needed.

SHOOTING PLAN

Developing a comprehensive shooting plan was another key step, drawing on techniques from my experience in short film projects. This plan detailed the actions and poses required for each frame, ensuring coherence and precision.

LOCATION SCOUTING was an adventure in itself. We conducted an in-depth tour to find the perfect locations that would bring our vision to life. After updating our shooting plan with current location photos, we briefed the model on the specific poses and actions required. Measurements and rehearsals ensured we were ready for the shoot.

production

SHOOTING DAYS

On the day of the shoot, we arrived early and began by verifying the exact positioning and poses for each frame. This attention to detail ensured that every shot was perfectly aligned with our vision.

The shoot days were divided into two parts.

On the first day, we focused on capturing the calm and snowy landscape shots, including close-ups that highlighted the serene beauty of nature.

On the second day, we tackled the more intense shots at the geysers, a popular tourist spot that required an early start to ensure the best lighting and minimal disturbance.

post production

GRAPHICS

the graphic design and layout were meticulously crafted to enhance the narrative. We drew inspiration from the movement of mountains, the landscape, and the human body, and expressed this through the positioning of the text. The text layout mirrors the flowing and dynamic forms found in nature and the human figure.

For the images, we created visual comparisons between humans and nature, focusing on shapes and placements that juxtapose the two elements. In certain sections, the images were designed to seamlessly continue from one to the next, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the narrative.

To highlight the eruption of aggression and the dynamic evolution of the relationship, we incorporated an orange gradient. This color gradually appears more prominently as the story progresses, symbolizing the intensifying emotions. Initially, humans and nature are depicted as equals in size, but by the end, humans appear smaller compared to the vast, overpowering landscape. This shift in scale visually represents the growing dominance of nature over humans in the story.

Results

"We Danced" is a visually rich and conceptually deep project that explores the dynamic and emotional relationship between humans and the landscape. Through careful planning, creative storytelling, and precise execution, I created a series of compelling images that capture this profound interaction. This project exemplifies my dedication to visual storytelling and conceptual depth.

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