Magazine Design & Editorial Production
Helping a regional business publication evolve through thoughtful editorial design, typography, production planning, and collaborative publishing support.
Prairie Manufacturer Magazine is a quarterly publication serving Manitoba’s manufacturing sector. The project involved redesigning and typesetting an established magazine while respecting its existing identity and introducing a more flexible editorial system for future issues.
Role: Editorial Design, Typesetting, Production Coordination & Print Preparation
Respecting an Existing Publication
This wasn’t a blank-page redesign.
The challenge was to improve readability, hierarchy, and consistency while preserving the publication’s recognizable voice.
Rather than replacing the magazine’s identity, the work focused on strengthening it.
Building a More Flexible Editorial System
Refinements included improvements to typography, page hierarchy, recurring page structures, navigation, and layout flexibility—creating a stronger foundation for future issues without disrupting the publication’s familiar character.
Rather than redesigning every page independently, the goal was to build an editorial system that could evolve with each new issue.
Production Beyond Layout
Editorial production extends far beyond page layout.
Throughout the project I prepared press-ready files, coordinated with the printer, reviewed digital proofs, resolved production questions, incorporated late advertiser revisions, and prepared the final cover and spine according to printer specifications.
Remaining involved through production ensured that issues were resolved quickly and the publication moved confidently to press.
Collaboration Builds Better Publications
Through ongoing conversations with the publisher, editorial decisions became easier, production became smoother, and new ideas emerged for future issues, including reusable social media assets and editorial planning.
Outcome
The first issue established a stronger editorial and production foundation for future editions of the magazine.
- Improved editorial hierarchy
- More consistent typography
- Streamlined production workflow
- Print-ready publication delivered successfully
- Foundation established for future issues
View the published issue
Curious to see the complete publication? The Spring/Summer 2026 issue of Prairie Manufacturer Magazine is available online.
View the complete published issue (Publisher PDF)Designing Publications That Continue to Evolve
Great publications are built over time.
They evolve through thoughtful collaboration, consistent refinement, and systems that make future issues stronger than the last.
My role extends beyond page layout to helping publishers build editorial workflows that support long-term growth.