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proposition
We’re trapped in the prison of our own mind, which
is why we choose to Breakout every now and then.
Filled with personal stories and experiences, media’s
depiction of mental health, factual articles and coping
mechanisms, Breakout serves as an outlet for your
demons; focusing on a different issue every issue.
Breakout retails at £8 per issue, and is released every
two months.
Breakout is a magazine which says a massive “fuck
you” at those who say mental health shouldn’t be
discussed.
We’re honest, and focus on exposing the deep truth of
having a mental illness; how it feels, how others react,
and what the media says in response.
Aimed at young adults, 18–25, who are either suffer-
ing with mental illnesses or are interested in reading
up about them. We’ve chosen to target this audience
due to the stigma and the “it’s a phase” approach to
teens suffering with mental health problems. Whilst
an university and college our mental health issues are
often blamed on stress, or lack of sleep, and some-
times even alcohol consumption... when in reality,
we’re suffering.
masthead
The masthead shows ‘Breakout’ in a fractured, shat-
tered type which I personally created by fragmenting
letters. This reflects feelings of mental illness; we often
feel broken and shattered, but in reality, we can always
fit back together – it just takes time, patience and care.
By putting the masthead at an angle, and splitting over
two lines, it adds a new level of dynamism. In this state,
the masthead fills the page and looks as if it is physi-
cally trying to break out of the constraints of the page.
paper stock &
making
The cover is printed on Olin, with fragmented pieces
cut out to reveal the lime paper underneath.
For the inside pages, I wanted a paper stock which felt
rough and textured, whilst still being light enough for a
magazine. I bought some paper from G.F Smith, called
Munken Lynx Rough Natural White 100gsm. It’s a raw
feeling paper, which adds to the personality of the mag-
azine, being uncoated, honest, and raw.
Throughout the magazine there is a switch between the
Lime Daler Rowney paper, the Munken Lynx, and Xerox Cut out sections on cover should be kept to a minimum
Gloss. The is to create dimensions, and add to user to not interfere with the structure of the magazine. The
journey. Furthermore, I felt that having the poster-like cut out sections are for aesthetic purposes only. Each
advertisement on the Xerox Gloss felt most appropriate magazine will have a different accent colour, for example,
to the content. The Lime Daler Rowney was there to the eating disorder issue would be in a bright lilac, and
add flecks of colour within this very monochrome mag- orange for ADHD awareness.
azine, especially at the double-page section dividers.
The magazine is perfect bound for a clean finish, and
consistency throughout the series.
 Figure 1: Long article example.

Layout & Grids

To keep consistency throughout, Breakout works with
a 9 column grid on a 210mm squared format. Each col-
umn of body text takes 3.5 columns, and regular articles
(regardless of length) are set in two columns. Figure 2: Short article without hanging line. Figure 3: Short article with hanging line.

Articles have a hanging line, to allow for pull quotes and

illustrations at the top of the page, however, if neces-
sary this hanging line can be heightened for shorter
articles, where the article length is between two and
three pages (see figure 2).
Headings should be set within the body text columns if
the hanging line is heightened.
For listings (figure 4), the columns of body text are
shoter, and split into three columns to compliment the
nature of the content. These three columns each span
two grid columns each.

Figure 4: Example of listings structure.

 Figure 5: Example of images within ‘a quiet space’.

Image & colour

Throughout ‘a quiet space’ most of the images are
illustrations (figure 5) which have been submitted by
readers. These are displayed in black and white, unless
colour is crucial to the understanding of the piece.
For images within the ‘fuck the media’ section, we’ve
made the choice to format all images/photographs
in black and white to keep the magazine looking
consistent.
Due to the diary feel of the magazine, the black and
white colour scheme works in its’ favor; these could
be seen as drawings, cut out images from your shitty
home printer, or high-quality pencil drawings. Having
coloured images would disturb the flow of the diary-like
magazine we have, hence the addititon of coloured
paper instead.
Figure 6: Example of images within ‘fuck the media’.
 FreightMicroPro Book 21pt [feature quote]
FreightMicroPro Book 9pt [body text & running heads]
FreightMicroPro Semibold Italic 9pt [interview questions]

Typography 215000E Regular 16pt [folios] Figure 7: Spread to show typographic features.

The body type for Breakout is a simple, serif typeface, 215000E Regular 43pt [h1]
which aids readability. Despite the rebelious outlook, we
are addressing a serious issue, and so the design should
allow for the words from readers to take the focus.
The combination of typefaces add to the feelings of
confusion and muddled thoughts that we experience
when dealing with mental health issues, especially when
taking medication. Antidepressants, antipsychotics etc.
make you confused, numb and dizzy; tired and uninter-
ested. This magazine is aimed at those people; the ones
that are numb, confused and who lack interest in just
about anything. The interesting typographic stance and
jumble of ideas will make the user feel more comforta-
ble and at ease and engage them further.

Figure 8: Spread to show typographic differen-

AltaCalifornia Regular 44pt (feature quote alternative) tiation and other typographic features.

215000E Regular 130pt [h0 (section head)

 Figure 9: Series design covers for Schizophrenia (1),
Eating disorders (2), and ADHD (3).

series design
Having a cover design which is easily carried across other
issues of the magazine is very important. For this reason,
as well as aesthetics, the masthead is plastered across the
cover, with a coloured outline which is designed to match
the colour of the paper stock behind, and the overall
colour of that specific issue. By removing any images we
eliminate the issue of finding images which work together
with the heavily designed masthead.

Figure 10: Spine design (issue 4 and 5
for better look at approach) the spine
would spread across each issue, pro-
viding incentive to collect. The spines
would read “Breakout” across.
Figure 11: Spines would align to
create the masthead, with each strip
(highlighted above) having a different
accent colour, as demonstrated in
figure 10.
online
presence
In terms of Breakout’s online presence, there would be
an independent website where subcriptions are man-
aged, as well as the magazine being featured/sold within
//stack. When the user goes to purchase the magazine
on stack, there will be an external link to the independ- Breakout issue 1
£8.00
ent website.
The atmosphere carried by Breakout magazine should
be translated to all media; the same energy and grunge
should be on the website, and on Instagram, and any
other social media platforms.

Figure 12: Breakout magazine within //stack website.

Figure 13: Breakout’s independent website, ‘shop’ page.

Figure 15: Breakout’s independent website, individual

listing for issue 1. Previews of pages and illustrations
within the issue.
Figure 14: Breakout on Instagram.
references
ARTICLES
Article 1: BoredPanda: Star Gazer (2019), My Schizophrenic Friend
Makes Really Intense Paintings Of His Inner Demons.
Available at: https://bit.ly/3lQzoj4
Article 2: Written by myself
Article 3: BoredPanda: AwkwardApostrophe (2017), I Was
Diagnosed With Schizophrenia At The Age Of 17...
Available at: https://bit.ly/3oyryMq
Article 4: Garnier, L., (2017), My life with schizophrenia : An
interview with a young schizophrenic man
Available at: http://thecircular.org/life-schizophrenia-interview-young-
schizophrenic-man/
Listing: Time to Change (2020), Mental Health Calendar
Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/get-your-
workplace-involved/resources/mental-health-calendar
Article 1: Written by myself
Article 2: Driscoll, A., Husain, M., (2019)
Why Joker’s depiction of mental illness is dangerously misinformed
Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/21/
joker-mental-illness-joaquin-phoenix-dangerous-misinformed