Rock N Roll Bride Magazine: Issue 01


rock n roll bride magazine


There’s no denying that Kat of Rock N Roll Bride has some serious enthusiasm for her brand. What I admire about Kat is that she doesn’t just let things be — she keeps pushing ahead and thinking up new ideas. What started out as a small collaboration two years ago creating a new brand identity has blossomed into even bigger projects. Earlier this year, the Rock N Roll Bride media kit debuted. Then, over the summer, Kat proposed creating a magazine for an event she was attending. Not content with just handing out a business card or brochure, she wanted to offer something that encompassed her online brand that people could take home with them.



rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


And that’s an interesting point in itself. With brands that are formed and presented digitally, when you turn off your computer, how do you stay in touch? Even with media increasingly going digital, there’s still something to be said for an object that you can hold in your hands. Call me old fashioned but that feeling and interaction just can’t be replaced. Just this weekend, I picked up a copy of TIME magazine with Steve Jobs on the cover because I wanted something I could keep. All you hear these days is that print is dead…it’s slowed down but it’s definitely not dead. It’s just changed. Half of the things that I design for print now never actually make it to print; they end up in a PDF. But this project was different. 1,000 copies would be printed.



rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


Kat originally proposed a 14 page mini magazine but the more I thought about it, the format seemed too close in size to her media kit. And she didn’t need another media kit. I grew up reading fashion magazines and I wanted this to have a more editorial feel with full articles, a letter from the editor and a front and back cover.



rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


When I did the original Rock N Roll Bride identity, I created a horizontal lockup of the logo that I don’t think was ever shown. Even though it was never used in the web header or media kit, I had designed it with the thought of it working well on a magazine or book cover.



rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


rock n roll bride magazine


So far, this first issue, numbering 40 pages and with three distinct sections (Real Weddings, Rockin’ Fashion and Rockin’ Lifestyle) has exceeded our expectations, with 500 copies handed out in one weekend alone. The rest of the copies will be available on Rock N Roll Bride. The magazine was just written up on Print Week and we’re now planning issue 2. I love seeing brands blossom from an idea and an identity to something much, much larger. Thanks to Kat for letting me give you a peak inside our most favorite collaboration yet. And thanks for reading!



rock n roll bride magazine


nubby signature

25 Responses to Rock N Roll Bride Magazine: Issue 01

  1. Thanks Nubby! words cant describe how much I owe you for your hard work and excitement over this project!

    Today we’ve just launched online ordering of this first issue – keeping it free (as that was the intention with the first issue) but just charging for postage…and we sold 200 copies in 3 hours! I’m expecting issue one to sell out within by the end of the week easily.

    Let’s start thinking about issue 2 soon. The people demand it!

    ..and thank you for the awesome write up too! You’re the best

    PS a few copies are being saved and will wing their way to you soon! Love ya!

    • Nubby says:

      Kat: I adore you! This project has reaffirmed how big your brand has grown and I’m excited to hear that demand has been so high! You took a chance and I’m so glad you did – it’s been great to see your fanbase really embrace this latest venture! Can’t wait to get a for real copy. ;)

  2. Cloggins says:

    Hi Nubby ~

    I just wanted to leave a quick comment to say that I was lucky enough to take home one of these mags last weekend and they really are an exquisite keepsake. The design & production of them is absolutely spot on & I think brides will really appreciate having a tangible, beautiful & shiny interpretation of Kat’s site to refer back to during their planning process.

    Great work!

    • Nubby says:

      Cloggins: Thanks so much, that’s great to hear! I spent a ton of time getting the production right since it was being printed overseas and I wouldn’t be able to oversee the process. Glad you’ve enjoyed the outcome.

  3. Lorna says:

    Oh Nubby this is absolutely charming and at the perfect time for me. I’ve been following both you and Kat separately for a while now and got engaged 4 weeks ago. As soon as I saw this I ordered my copy. Great job!

    • Nubby says:

      Christine Case: Thanks so much! It was a lot of work but when you get to finally see the outcome in print and share it, it makes the whole process worth it.

    • Nubby says:

      Lola: Great photos really do hold some serious power, especially when it comes to editorial layouts. I’m lucky that Kat has featured some truly great weddings on her blog, the majority of which are professionally shot!

  4. I want one of these.

    Right now I’m also undertaking the task of turning a well-known blog in Minneapolis into a print edition. It’s a lot of fun and the prospect of being an art director of a big book is exciting and terrifying at the same time. Any tips?

    • Nubby says:

      Caroline Royce: Congratulations! I usually tackle these types of projects by gathering a ton of visual research first — when I get stuck on a layout, it’s super helpful to see what’s been done before. I also do some quick experimentation with type treatments in Illustrator before getting too serious with the real thing. Finally, I set up a handful of basic layouts in InDesign to make sure the style I want to carry through the entire publication works. Beyond that, it’s all about experimentation. Good luck!

  5. Medusa says:

    Hello!

    I am not engaged & I am not interested in ever getting married, but even *I* want a copy of this magazine! It looks awesome!!! :)

    Congrats to both Nubby & Kat!

  6. Pingback: Things I Heart: A Contest, A Magazine, & The Whole Love « Anika Guldstrand

  7. Pingback: The Evolution of a Brand & A New Look Rock n Roll Bride · Rock n Roll Bride

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Please note: Any comments deemed inappropriate (spam, off-topic, rude language) will be removed.