KEPLER
Kepler Magazine is not just your ordinary publication; it's a captivating journey into the cosmos that takes readers on an awe-inspiring exploration of the exoplanets and the various related details. With its engaging content and visually stunning presentation, Kepler Magazine goes far beyond the ordinary, focuses on presenting the beauty of exoplanets from different perspective, including their surface textures, components, characteristics of atmosphere, etc.
For this editorial design, we developed a cohesive system that spans the entire magazine. The base colors are black and white, with a fluorescent green accent running throughout. Spot illustrations, end-of-article notations, and lines extending from the images unify the overall identity. Beyond the magazine, we designed a 3D-printed packaging for the magazine, accompanied by additional merchandise.
Project Time: Fall 2023 - 5 Weeks
For this editorial design, we developed a cohesive system that spans the entire magazine. The base colors are black and white, with a fluorescent green accent running throughout. Spot illustrations, end-of-article notations, and lines extending from the images unify the overall identity. Beyond the magazine, we designed a 3D-printed packaging for the magazine, accompanied by additional merchandise.
Project Time: Fall 2023 - 5 Weeks
We were tasked with an editorial project. Design a Magazine. That’s it! We were given freedom with everything. And that’s when we came up with Kepler!
Kepler set out to reimagine what a science magazine could feel like, not a dusty archive of facts but rather a portal. The design of Kepler Magazine was driven by the goal of creating an immersive editorial experience that blends scientific depth with visual intrigue. It needed to balance scientific rigor with visual seduction, merging accuracy with atmosphere. The magazine had to feel structured but not stiff, futuristic but not cold. The goal was to craft a system that could stretch, bend and occasionally rebel, echoing the unpredictable beauty of discovery itself.
A deep dive into science publications and speculative editorial design shaped the early direction. The moodboard pulled in sleek futurism, minimal geometry and the visual language of research labs.
Initial explorations revolved around orbital motifs and stripped-down typography. Circles, arcs, and motion lines guided the earliest marks.
Each cover was built as a quiet statement piece: minimal, high-contrast and anchored by fluorescent accents that hint at discovery without shouting.
From the outset, we established a strong design system - spanning typography, layout and imagery that ensured consistency across the magazine. The layout system relied on an extended grid that offered discipline while letting key moments break free. This early framework became the backbone of the project, allowing us the freedom to strategically break the system in places, keeping the design dynamic and fresh. A restrained color palette of black, white and fluorescent green reinforced a futuristic yet structured aesthetic. Every design choice, from the spot illustrations to the extended grid lines, was intentional in enhancing readability while maintaining a strong visual narrative. Printing the magazine and having it as a tactile piece that came to life was probably the most interesting part of the process.
A pairing of sharp sans-serif and a point serif built the rhythm of the magazine. Clinical clarity meeting poetic nuance.
Spot illustrations, linework, and orbit-like motifs became recurring anchors, creating continuity across sections without overpowering them.
Images were handled with a cool, scientific touch. High contrast, monochrome shifts, occasional neon overlays.
Infographics followed a similar code: precise, minimal and legible at a glance, always serving the story.
Instructor: Justin Colt
Collaborators: Alina Zhang, Lingjiu Tong, Pan Zhang, Winter Sun
Collaborators: Alina Zhang, Lingjiu Tong, Pan Zhang, Winter Sun
My Role: I focused on designing the standout feature spreads, using fluorescent green to highlight key articles and create visual impact. I created infographics using data collected from NASA and ISRO’s website to make the design more educational. Additionally, I contributed to the branding beyond the magazine by designing stickers and posters that reinforced Kepler's identity.