ROWDY MAGAZINE
Print-publication
2018-20
Founded a youth-run magazine championing art and culture at the University of Florida
Volume 3 Launch Campaign Instagram Story Ads / March 2020
my role FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
INTRO
In August 2018, there were no opportunities for student interested in fashion at the University of Florida. And worse, as a design student I noticed no publications on campus prioritizing design. So.... I launched UF’s first student-run, fashion-focused print publication Rowdy Magazine.
The publication began as a way to encourage my peers into expressing their truest, most wild selves through a publication that, itself felt disruptive. Rowdy was created to fill a gap in the UF community; serving as a publication that connected its student body to arts, culture and activism.
After pitching students in 30+ classes at UF to join me, we quickly became a tribe of kindred-spirits who inspired and brain-stormed wild ideas to expand our community every day.
Rowdy Magazine quickly became a leading publication for UF students focused on celebrating diversity and inspiring collective change.
Rowdy built a niche community through events and innovative publications at the university level.
We were a mighty 30-person team with diverse students of all majors dedicated to championing global change starting at the University of Florida.
STRATEGY
Some of our past campaign work included:
- chalk stencils on campus and downtown sidewalks
- murals
- free pin handouts
- pop-up distribution
- collaborations
- giveaways
- influencer packages
- press releases for local news outlets
DRESS ROWDY,
FUCK IT.
Experience Design
For the launch of our first issue, Rowdy wanted to create an immersive, interactive experience — a female-led "Art Basel" of sorts in honor of women's history month.
By pairing up with 8 female student artists and female-owned businesses, we were able to spotlight those in our community empowering our own female-based audience.
Our event dress-code has since become a staple of our identity, "Dress Rowdy, Fuck It."
By pairing up with 8 female student artists and female-owned businesses, we were able to spotlight those in our community empowering our own female-based audience.
Our event dress-code has since become a staple of our identity, "Dress Rowdy, Fuck It."
CO-CREATION
- Led a team of 3-6 graphic design students for every issue. Created corresponding style guides dedicated to each issues themes. Designed a 100 page book with around 15 articles.
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Every article in the print publication was accompanied by a carefully curated playlist with custom cover art. Each set of songs are selected to expand on the tone and message. Check out our playlists here.
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Worked with local printers in meeting all typical print production standards. Learned the fundamentals of bookmaking from binding, page organization and paper weights.
All clothing was sourced secondhand from local thrift shops. Photo above shot on the University of Florida campus.
DISTRIBUTION
How might we.. bring the big-city tone of our brand to distribution?
An unconventional approach to tabling on a college campus resulted in a handbuilt (by me!), pop-up newsstand that travels around the main campus to varying high traffic locations. The team works the newstand in custom hand-made uniforms to establish one-on-one communication with our community. Our team is known for being extremely creative and eccentric. To expand on the theme of the issue each member was given the chance to spray paint and customize their own jumpsuit to wear for distribution.
COMMUNITY
We have collaborated with a number of student groups in hopes of empowering our local community in social justice. In the past we have collaborated with:- Climate Action Gator- talking on IG Live about indigenous voices in the climate debate
- Redefined Goods, a giveaway for a student business focused on totes recycled from thrifted clothing
- NAACP Gator Chapter, 4/20 conversation about decriminalization
- Women's Student Association @ UF, pop-up event for Women's History Month
- ++ Donated 15% of all proceeds to One Fair Wage Fund after COVID-19
DESIGN
THINKING
Led a design thinking workshop with 30 team members for third volume. The program had breakout sessions based on the 5 steps of the design thinking process.
