Testing the design process
eDesign Issue 5
eDesign’s Issue 5 examined the rise of beta testing as an important phase of the design process. The clever cover illustration pictured the head of a test subject as a pool having its “beta water testing” sampled.
Introduced in 2002, eDesign was a pioneering publication that anticipated the evolution of design from print to digital media. Li’l Robin’s Anke Stohlmann was the magazine’s founding art director, establishing a strong brand and graphic system for the bi-monthly publication. Conceived for an audience of interactive designers, eDesign was a must-have printed piece for a community married to the digital realm. According to Howard Cadel, eDesign’s publisher (at RC Publications), “The biggest challenge (was) the difficulty in showing on a printed page material that is better presented interactively.”
Our solution was to design the magazine as a two-dimensional translation of web aesthetics, with crystal clear navigation and distinctive icons identifying sections. Colorful illustrations adorned the cover and feature well, giving the reader additional entry points into each story. Sidebars accommodated different levels of readers’ expertise. The magazine’s innovative design was honored with Gold and Silver medals from the Society for Publication Designers.
