Gal-dem issue 4

gal-dem is an independent media publication dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of women and non-binary people of colour. Spanning culture, politics, arts, music, news and lifestyle, the publication challenges inequality and underrepresentation through both its digital and print platforms.

As Art Director and Designer for Issue 4, I led a visual refresh of the magazine, evolving its editorial identity while remaining true to gal-dem's community-driven ethos. Collaborating with a diverse roster of illustrators, I developed a bold and contemporary visual language that brought greater depth, personality and cohesion to the publication. Through expressive layouts, dynamic typography and considered image-making, I pushed the boundaries of the magazine's editorial design, creating a more elevated and engaging reading experience for its growing audience.

Creative and Design Direction RIANNA OSANWUTA
Head of Editorial CHARLIE BRINKHURST-CUFF
Design SYMONE BARDEN

Stack of gal-dem magazine issues with a cover photo showing three women, one with dark skin and braided hair, another with light skin and dark hair, and the third with light skin and dark curly hair. The magazine title 'gal-dem' is visible at the top in white letters on a light blue background.
Cover of gal-dem magazine featuring six diverse women standing outdoors against a blue sky, promoting the UN/REST issue with literary luminaries.

Cover Shoot: Seeking Happily Ever After


Photography NWAKA OKPARAEKE
Styling ELLA LUCIA assisted by RADA MCNALLY and ALIA NUSSEIBEH
Makeup JASMINE HAMILTON

A woman with braided hair styled in a high bun, wearing a black lace top, is smiling and giving a thumbs-up. She has a tattoo on her arm that says 'SOUTH' and is standing in front of a cloudy sky. Multiple hands are holding up copies of a pink book titled 'QUEENIE' by Candice Carty-Williams around her.
A woman in colorful, flowing clothing sitting on the floor against a light-colored backdrop with a blue sky and clouds above her.
A woman wearing a black scarf and blazer sitting among stacks of books, with a cloudy sky background.
A young woman with short hair sitting outdoors against a cloudy sky background, wearing a black t-shirt and black pants with orange streaks.
A woman wearing a blue headscarf and a printed top posing outdoors against a cloudy sky.
A woman in a yellow dress laughing with manga, playing cards, and dice floating around her in the sky.

Magazine spreads

Overhead view of a table with jars of cannabis and smoking paraphernalia, with text saying 'NOT SO DOPE'. Hand rolling a joint with cannabis; broken cannabis buds scattered on the table. At the top left, it reads 'Words by Ruqaiya, Illustrations by Malva Graphics'. At the bottom left, it says 'When Ruqaiya smoked her first joint aged 12, she had little clue that her new recreation would become a long-term addiction'.
A group of six women of diverse ethnicities poses together against a background of a colorful sky with clouds, some seated and some standing, with pink and purple hues. The text overlay reads 'Seeking Happily Ever After' and a quote about reading and writing from Toni Morrison, along with credits for the words, photography, styling, and makeup.
A magazine spread featuring a portrait of ADA CHEN on the left page with her name outlined in large white text and a smaller photo of her on the right page. The article discusses her viral set of custom earrings and her work making jewelry for Asian American women.
A black and white illustration of a young girl with curly hair wearing a striped shirt and patterned shorts, standing in the rain with her arms outstretched and eyes closed, smiling. The image accompanies a story titled "My Cousin Medyäi" by KUCHENGA, with an illustration credit to Jess Nash.
A magazine spread about colonialism and superfoods, with a dark brown background on the left page displaying white curved text 'CAO, COFFEE AND COLONIALISM,' and right page with text discussing superfoods' history, including cacao, coffee, and pomegranates, and an illustration of a cacao pod at the bottom.
A magazine page with a landscape photograph of Uganda's countryside, showing hills, trees, and scattered houses. Overlaid is a paragraph of text about Uganda's history of violence and migration. In the top right corner, there is a photograph of six people sitting and standing on a concrete structure with graffiti, against a plain horizon background.
A woman with dark skin and curly hair sitting on a white couch in an art gallery. She is wearing an orange metallic dress and earrings, with one arm resting on the armrest and one hand on her lap. There is a large vase with dried branches beside her and a framed abstract blue artwork on the wall behind.
Poster titled "Rebel Music" with a black and white photo of a DJ wearing headphones and operating a turntable in a brick-walled room, promoting UK soundsystem culture and music festivals.