Pulling Strings

Pulling Strings" was a magazine project focused on celebrating and promoting the art of puppetry. Its mission was to revive puppetry in the mainstream by exploring various puppetry styles, their rich history, and their promising future. Through engaging articles and captivating visuals, it aimed to inspire future puppeteers while rekindling the interest of those who grew up enchanted by puppets. By showcasing the diverse and multifaceted world of puppetry, it sought to challenge misconceptions and highlight its importance in fostering laughter, imagination, education, and meaningful discussions on important societal issues.

Ideation:

When seeking inspiration, I explored various publication spreads and materials directly related to puppetry. These sources greatly influenced the direction of my project, guiding my typographic and visual choices to create engaging designs.

When ideating for Pulling Strings, I explored different type pairings to match the various tones of the articles. From playful to serious, I wanted to ensure each article's typography fit its mood. This helps enhance the reading experience.

Branding and Cover Drafts:

I explored various mastheads, drawing inspiration from elements commonly associated with marionettes and Jim Henson style puppets. This includes features such as strings, the distinctive shapes of puppet mouths, ping pong ball eyes, and many other defining characteristics. These explorations helped create unique visual style of Pulling Strings

Final magazine:

The final publication of Pulling Strings became a heartfelt tribute to the art of puppetry. It delved into the diverse styles and techniques of puppetry, showcasing its versatility and charm. I believe it meets the goal of our mission statement: to inspire and engage both new and seasoned enthusiasts, encouraging future puppeteers while rekindling the passion of those who grew up watching puppets.

The final publication features eight articles from various sources. The included articles:

• Why Puppets (and Puppeteers) Are Still Important
  Written by Kat Eschner
  Smithsonian Magazine
  Page 6 (Pulling Strings)
• Jim Henson’s Muppet Odyssey
  Originally Published as "Reframing Entertainment"
  Written by Lauren Emanuel
  Contributions from Marie Ladino and Eric Atkisson
  USPTO
  Page 12 (Pulling Strings)
• How Puppetry Has Put on a Spectacular Show
  Written by Kelly Richman-Abdou
  My Modern Met
  Page 22 (Pulling Strings)
• Bread and Puppet: Puppet Protest
  Originally Published as "Bread And Puppet Marks 50 Years Of Paper Mache And Protest"
  Written by Jon Kalish
  NPR
  Page 26 (Pulling Strings)
• PUPPET UP! - Uncensored
  Written by Scott Feinblatt
  LA Times
  Page 32 (Pulling Strings)
• How the Life of Pi Puppeteers Bring a Zoo to Life
  Originally Published as "How the Life of Pi Puppeteers Bring a Zoo to Life on Broadway"
  Written by Talaura Harms
  Playbill
  Page 42 (Pulling Strings)
• Inside Jabba the Hutt
  Written by Brandon Wainerdi
  Star Wars Insider #209 (originally appeared on page 20 of the issue)
  Page 48 (Pulling Strings)
• Make-a-Puppet
  Originally Published as "Easy DIY Hand Puppets"
  Based on instructions by Abby Larson
  Style Me Pretty
  Page 58 (Pulling Strings)

Deliverables:

To complete my Pulling Strings magazine project, I designed three deliverables inspired by the cover of the publication. These deliverables will serve as subscription incentives for new and continuing subscribers.