Founded in 2010, boulderpavement is the Banff Centre Press’ online journal of arts and culture. It features an array of dance, music, video, sound and visual art, critique, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, contributed by artists from around the world. In 2011, boulderpavement received an Honourable Mention for Best Digital Design from the National Magazine Awards, and was also a Canadian Online Publishing Award finalist for Best Website Design.
Recently, boulderpavement celebrated the launch of its fifth issue, and I caught up with Saki Murotani, website designer and developer, to ask her what goes into the creation of boulderpavement’s award-nominated design.
Q: How did you get involved in the project?
A: While at The Banff Centre as an animation work study, the Editors, Steven Ross Smith and Nick Hutcheson, approached me with an idea for an online, multidisciplinary journal. They asked if I’d be interested in collaboratively designing the magazine “look” with Banff Centre staff, Price Morgan and Kenny Lozowski, workstudy Susan Clarahan and a graphic designer Erin Ignacio.
Q: Tell me about your design concept for boulderpavement.
A: Each issue has a specific theme – sometimes the theme’s not literal, so I design by feeling or what I think looks right. The theme for Issue 5 was journey, so I tried to create a design that would complement the content and contributors. I started working on the background design and icons first, and then I went from there. I also like to reflect the seasons in my design. Since this recent issue is out now, I tried to incorporate winter themes into my design.
Q: What’s the difference between designing for print and online?
A: I think the number-one difference is that with web design, you have to make sure everything enhances the user-friendliness. Designs for the web need to be visually appealing, and they need to clearly communicate the message for the user. Print designs also need to enhance the message or story, but it won’t interact with viewers in the same way as web designs
Q: As a designer, what inspires you?
A: I am also an animator, and I’m inspired by films and animations with amazing visual effects. They’re mind-blowing, and they inspire me to try to make designs or animations as cool as I think they are.
