Minted is a conceptual editorial design project that reimagines news publishing for a younger generation. Drawing inspiration from the powerful visual storytelling found in The New York Times Magazine and Bloomberg Businessweek, this project explores how metaphor-rich covers and clever imagery can create emotional resonance while tackling both serious and lighthearted topics.

The genesis of this project stems from a personal fascination with metaphors and allusions cultivated through literature, which naturally evolved into an appreciation for editorial design that functions at the intersection of graphic design and narrative storytelling. Minted represents a challenge to create impactful, conceptually-driven imagery that speaks to contemporary issues through visual language.

What distinguishes Minted is its deliberate positioning within the media landscape. While serious news publications exist in abundance, few target younger audiences with content that reflects their perspectives and communication styles. Gen Z engages with the world through humor, irony, and memes—tools that allow for commentary on weighty subjects without feeling heavy-handed. Like court jesters before us, this generation uses wit to deliver truth.

The project showcases diverse design capabilities: from AI-generated imagery using Midjourney to sophisticated Photoshop manipulation, from conceptual typography to carefully crafted page layouts. Each cover tells a story—whether it’s the dark humor of militarized school safety measures, the striking appropriation of Caravaggio’s “Head of Goliath” for the Luigi Mangione piece, or the deliberately infuriating marble Coca-Cola sculpture critiquing commercialism’s dilution of art.

The interior spreads demonstrate versatility in visual approaches, using conceptual imagery for the Tesla market value comparison, exemplary visuals for the Temu iPhone interface takeover, and stylistic treatments for other features. Sidebar content, varied callouts, and dynamic layouts create an engaging reading experience designed to hold the attention of younger readers while maintaining journalistic integrity. This project ultimately showcases how critical thinking, creativity, and technical mastery can converge to create meaningful editorial design.