After Hours - Publication Design
I created this "Barhopper’s Guide To Portland" because there are so many new bars and pubs popping up around town that its almost impossible to keep track of them and I wanted to make something that could highlight them all. I my goal was to make a classy, sleek publication in order to attract a middle to upper class demographic that would appreciate the aesthetic. The articles I included show the wide variety of establishments available in Portland from upscale and modern, to affordable and rustic. I chose to highlight Bit House Saloon because it was chosen as the best bar in Portland for 2015. I think the feature article focusing on the best happy hours around town is a great guide for Portlanders and tourists alike, because with all the choices available to consumers it’s hard to decide where to go, and who doesn’t love a good happy hour? Having drink recipes available to the reader makes the cocktails available to those who want to try and recreate them, but it also highlights the unique, fresh (and expensive) ingredients that these places use in their cocktail crafting, which elevates their skills above other “normal” bars in town. I wanted to include some seasonal elements because holidays are a great excuse to whip up some specialty cocktails, especially St. Patrick’s day. I chose a mainly photographic approach because I wanted to immerse the reader in the unique environments of each establishment. I placed most of the text in white opaque boxes to create dimension without detracting from the photos. I used very limited color for the same reason of keeping the focus on the photographs. I had my friend photograph the cover for me so that I could display the chaos of happy hour in a curated fashion.