Context

Auburn Circle is Auburn University’s student-run literary and arts magazine, publishing original writing, photography, and design from students across campus. Each semester, the magazine takes on a new tone shaped by its contributors — and the design team’s job is to bring that voice to life on the page.

Challenge

With a fresh crop of submissions every semester and a rotating team of student designers, the challenge was building something that felt cohesive without losing the individuality of each piece. The design had to hold space for every contributor while still giving the magazine its own recognizable personality.

Solution

Over six issues, the visual system flexed to meet each magazine’s tone, using expressive type, bold layouts, and moments of quiet to guide the reader through student voices. Beyond the magazine itself, merch design and event branding helped the Circle show up across campus in ways that felt fun and authentic. And as head designer, the focus wasn’t just on making things look good — it was on mentoring new designers, leading critiques, and helping the whole team bring their ideas to life.