Mitchell James Carrigan

Designing an editorial layout that captures the serenity of falling from the sky.

CLIENTStab Magazine PROBLEMSTAB magazine, once known for its edgy, alternative take on extreme sports, had become what all nonconformist publications fear most: mainstream. To reclaim its authentic, non-commercial essence, STAB aimed to transcend clichés with its latest issue, expanding its focus beyond traditional sports like surfing and delving into the psyche of those who truly push their limits.INSIGHTThe feature explores the mind of a skydiver, revealing an unexpected creative direction: what seems terrifying to most is, for professional skydivers, a source of profound peace. The design was intended to capture this juxtaposition of serene grit that captivates thrill-seeking readers.
SOLUTIONThe title of the feature article, "Peace Fall," plays on words to describe the skydiver's state of mind. When stacked, the title creates a sense of scale and height, serving as a visual metaphor for the reader. To evoke serenity, light green and yellow gradients blend seamlessly, mimicking the calm descent of a professional skydiver. Key words like ‘peace’ are highlighted with airy, delicate strokes, reflecting the weightless sensation of freefall. These soft gradients are textured with grit to maintain STAB magazine’s edgy character, while the use of a monospaced typeface adds a raw, bold element to the otherwise clean and ethereal design.