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I am new to freelance design and would love some advice on how to deal with a magazine design project. I will be designing a magazine for a client. Would I provide them with some kind of initial comp to determine the style and get approval? If there are any magazine designers reading this that are willing to share their process of dealing with the client, I would be so grateful! Thank you in advance!

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  • Are you creating a magazine from scratch or has this magazine been made before?
    – AndrewH
    Nov 22, 2021 at 21:11
  • I am creating it from scratch.
    – S.K.
    Nov 22, 2021 at 21:35
  • Providing an initial comp makes sense, especially if you're also creating the branding for the magazine. Nov 22, 2021 at 22:35
  • Thank you for your answer!
    – S.K.
    Nov 23, 2021 at 0:02

1 Answer 1

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There's A LOT which goes into a "magazine" -- branding, ad space, articles, etc -- I don't think a viable comp can be created until these have been ironed out.

One would certainly comp the cover to show some branding ideas.

However, beyond that spending time on a full magazine comp is pointless until you know the ad space, articles, etc and can work out page counts.

Generally one settles branding and overall style. Then waits for content collection. Once content is ready (ads space determined, articles written, etc), then you layout the initial edition and provide a comp for it. Subsequent editions use the premier issue as a roadmap to know how much content is necessary.


In short.. comp for branding but you can't comp much else until you know what's needed. i.e. you can't bake a cake until you know the ingredients.

(I suppose page count is more irrelevant if it's for digital delivery only).

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  • Thank you so much for your answer! Very helpful information!
    – S.K.
    Nov 23, 2021 at 0:00

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