Studio Brief 01 - How Do You Read? - Justified Magazine

Following the observations made in Study Task 04 on Figure and Ground, Justified Magazine is a good candidate for the basis of understanding the relationship between figure and white space, due to the amount of photographs showcased within the publication.

In these two pages, multiple pictures are displayed on each page in order to showcase the photographers within the magazine. Despite this going against Vignelli's principles of sequence, the number of images used here are appropriate for the intended use. The images are placed in a similar order on both pages with the intention to let the reader know the type of pictures each photographer showcases. And going through the magazine, no more than 4 images are used on a page, this keeps in line with the minimal aesthetic the magazine is going for and allows for the pictures to engage with the reader without too much distraction. What highlights each picture in each page however is the ample white space around it. It acts as a border that creates a frame around the image. The use of contrasting pictures in terms of colour composition also help in highlighting each picture. 

Displaying a range of subjects can also be experimented with as seen with another example of a content page in the magazine. Through the placement and sizing of the pictures, the readers eyes flow from the top left of the first page down to the bottom right. This makes the seemingly unbalanced placement of the images look more cohesive. Again, the vast white space that surrounds the images directs the readers attention, placing emphasis on the photographers work.

Images can also bleed from page to page if necessary. This can liven up the arrangement of content which will help in keeping the readers engagement, which can also be seen below.

In terms of displaying each photographers work, Justified mainly uses a full bleed on each page with variations of arrangements with subsequent pages. Just like Vignelli's ideas on sequence, the full bleed is forceful on the reader and allows them to visualise as much detail of the picture as possible which is appropriate for the type of publication Justified magazine is. 

The use of white space to create a border around the work helps direct the attention toward the photograph and make the picture its own amongst the series. 

White space however does not necessarily have to white however, the use of colour in this page helps contrast and helps show the detail in the image better as compared to white background.

Therefore within Justified Magazine, the negative space acts a frame for the pictures displayed even when there is none present. The lack of information within this space also helps direct all of the attention of that page onto the picture, effectively showcasing the photographers work. Also the lack of body copy also keeps in line with the minimal theme of the magazine. Justified magazine also shows the varied sequences one can apply to a series of images. It breaks the monotony and adds to the cinematic experience of flipping through the pages. However these are based on a photography based publication. Looking at the use of white space in other types of publications would be useful to further understand the versatility and uses.