Overview
This project was a ten-page publication design created around an original speculative fiction story titled Lazarus Mission V: The Long Gravity. The narrative follows Commander Elias Rhys as he investigates a fractured signal from a distant black hole, exploring themes of isolation, time, memory, and the unknown.
The goal was to design a publication that felt cinematic and immersive while still functioning as a clear editorial layout. I wanted the reader to feel like they were entering a mysterious space mission, where the visuals, typography, and pacing all supported the tone of the story.
Project Details
Role: Designer / Writer
Category: Publication Design, Editorial Design, Visual Storytelling
Tools: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop
Deliverable: Ten-page publication design with promotional mockups
Focus: Typography, layout, pacing, atmosphere, narrative design, image composition
Challenge
The challenge was to turn a written story into a complete visual publication. Since the story was atmospheric and science-fiction based, the design needed to feel cinematic without becoming too busy or distracting from the text.
Another challenge was balancing readability with mood. The pages needed to look dramatic and mysterious, but the typography still had to be clear enough for a reader to follow the narrative. I also needed to create consistency across the full publication so every spread felt like part of the same world.
Process
I started by identifying the emotional tone of the story: isolation, gravity, darkness, distance, and uncertainty. From there, I built the visual direction around a cinematic sci-fi atmosphere, using deep blacks, glowing highlights, planetary imagery, and strong contrast.
I created a layout system in Adobe InDesign using consistent margins, columns, spacing, and page structure. This helped the publication feel organized while still allowing each spread to have its own visual rhythm. I used typography to separate mission-log style text from narrative prose, giving the publication a more layered and immersive reading experience.
I also developed atmospheric image compositions and promotional mockups in Photoshop to expand the story beyond the page. These visuals helped make the project feel like a full campaign or fictional media release instead of only a class publication.
Reflection
This project helped me understand how publication design can shape the way a story feels. I learned that layout is not just about placing text and images on a page it controls pacing, mood, and the reader’s experience.
I also strengthened my skills in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop by creating a consistent editorial system, working with image compositions, and building promotional mockups. This project pushed me to think beyond a single design piece and create a larger visual identity around a story.