Talk : Designing Time Out
Review
On Saturday 23rd Feb Time Out magazine’s Global Creative Director Tom Hislop was interviewed by City Life Editor James Manning in a relaxed Q&A session at the Museum of Brands. The interview took place alongside the Time Out 50: 50 Years, 50 Covers exhibition and drew on their most memorable covers over the past five decades.
James asked Tom what he considers to be the essential elements of Time Out’s design. In Tom’s eyes Time Out is almost a series of mini magazines, with sections such as ‘Art’ and ‘Music & Nightlife’ remaining consistent over time and becoming a key component of the brand’s image. One of Tom’s favourite things about Time Out is its tone of voice, developing “a witty and playful character which doesn’t take itself too seriously”
This became all the more apparent as Tom went on to describe the design process behind some of his favourite Time Out cover designs, including a cover published in Sydney in 2012 which was inspired by a single image of a pink sprinkled doughnut. Tom revealed that it sometimes takes persistence to turn a good idea into a reality. Sometimes, this persistence means simply waiting for a new editor to take over and pitching a previously rejected cover concept all over again – with much more success.
More than 35 people attended this lively weekend event, with the audience including creative directors, designers, editors and students.
About Tom Hislop
Tom is the Global Creative Director of Time Out Group, responsible for the iconic brand’s visual identity across the world. Based in New York, he has previously been an art director and designer for publications including The Guardian, The Big Issue and more. Tom’s passions lie in magazines, typography, illustration, photography, and when he’s not working, you can find him screen printing, hand lettering or working on zines. You can check out more of his work here
About James Manning
James Manning is the City Life editor of Time Out London and the curator of the Museum of Brands exhibition ‘Time Out 50: 50 Years, 50 Covers’ (until March 3 2019).
The Museum’s professional development programme is generously supported by The Marketors’ Trust @marketors
