Art Direction

Exclaim! magazine by Shingo Shimizu

Started as Art Director for Exclaim! magazine in spring of this year. Here are a few covers and feature stories I designed.

From issue to issue, I am usually learning about or listening to a new band or artist that is new to me. The process always involves me either YouTubing their videos, or Wikipediaing their bios. I wonder what music magazine Art Directors did back in the day before the internet on bands they didn't know? I imagine many poor librarians having to archive newspaper and magazine clippings...oh internet I love you. 

Anyhow, we also commission illustrators for portraits for our 'Reviews' page. I've also been enjoying those quite a bit. I will post some of those soon as well.

For now, check them out here!

Sneak Peek: Scion Issue 4 'Music Issue' by Shingo Shimizu

Over the last few months I remember my response to the usually welcoming line, 'Shingo I have a great project for you!' was turned down with,'I can't, I'm sorry I'm very busy.’ That wonderful project I've been working on for the last three months was the fourth issue of Scion magazine with Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Marie Chen. I was responsible for the overall art direction, with duties on illustration and design as well.

It has now been printed, and will be distributed out to stores very soon across Canada. Pretty exciting!

You will notice (photos coming soon), that the format has changed. Previous issues measured at a tiny 5.5" x 7.125". Scion magazine is now a whopping 10.5 x 14.5" on the same bright white recycled stock, and 48 pages. 

For every issue, we try to give a little ‘something something’ for the reader. So to commemorate this music focused issue, there is a pullout Scion branded 'gig poster'.

Stylistically there is more range. I went looser with the design template, at the same time showcasing a broader range of style (minimal, hand drawn, hand written, hand made, etc.), which is what I was hoping to achieve. It gives the magazine a ‘warmer’ feel than the previous issues. Kind of like the feeling when you flip through a pile of eye catchy record covers. It also features some great photography by Andy Lee, as well as some great collage illustrations by Rachel Kennedy.

So without further ado, it is with great pleasure, I give you a glimpse of Scion magazine Issue 4, the 'Music Issue'.

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Yeti Becomes a Lovable Sasquatch: the Transformation by Shingo Shimizu

For Scion magazine's cover, we wanted a photo of a Sasquatch, with illustration done around it. If you ever try googling 'Sasquatch costume', all you'll get are some pretty lame costumes. We envisioned a character that was friendly, and pretty harmless. Kind of like someone you'd want to party with. In other words, we had to make it from scratch. Well almost from scratch.

I was luckily able to find a used Yeti costume through a friend. After deciding on the overall look of our Sasquatch, figuring out how to make it was another matter...

Especially transforming a scary Yeti, into a lovable Sasquatch!

What do you think of it?

 

 

 Photo by Jalani Morgan, Model: Kimberly Yun

 

Scion Canada Lifestyle Magazine Issue #2! by Shingo Shimizu

Another great experience, art directing on this sophomore issue of Scion magazine. Would like to send a big thank you to my chief editor (Lisa Marie Chen), and talented team of photographers, writers, and designers. Also a big shout out goes to Kimmy Yun for being a huge help with building the lovable Sasquatch costume, and Jack Ngan for advice on building it. (Will upload photos on building that soon.)

Yes we have a Sasquatch in this issue. Not only that, we feature: amazing Scion creations by Troy Sumitomo's Five Axis, an article on professional driver Kenshiro Gushi, some SEMA coverage, a Scion xB customizable paper car pull-out, and trying out some yummy poutine. Hungry?

Check out the cover and a few spreads from Issue #2 below of Scion Canada Lifestyle magazine. Scroll down for the download link from the Scion site, and a direct download link for the xB car template. Don't forget to have your go at customizing your very own Scion xB!

 

 

DOWNLOAD full version of Scion Issue #2 (PDF) here!

DOWNLOAD template for paper Scion xB here!

SEE how the Sasquatch was made!