An Impossibly Concise History of Dallas
Special Figma Layout for D Magazine's 50th Anniversary Package
SERVING
UI/UX Web Layout in Figma
Typography/Image Layout
The September 2024 Issue marked D Magazine's 50th Anniversary. A part of this package has been contributed by the late Zac Crain who wrote an essay for a Berlin magazine called 032c in 2022. "We’ve brought the piece to print for the first time, with the permission of 032c, using images from Zac’s iPhone photography book, A Pedestrianʼs History of Dallas (La Reunion Publishing, 2020), with the help of Zac’s friend and publisher Will Evans."
This special essay was created through Figma and finalized through Framer with help from Ricky Ferrer. The online piece was replicated in likeness of the printed version found in the September 2024 issue. The pacing was meant to be thorough and minimal to shine through the photo. Users are able to navigate by scroll with micro-animations showcasing the typography and image layout that showcase all 41 points of Zac Crain's Impossibly Concise History of Dallas.
First Concept Ideas
This project contained 41 points that established the concise history of Dallas. For the information to be dense, user experience was top priority for a seamless scroll. First concept ideas were to provide the user variety through scroll vertically and horizontally. This couldn't be accomplished due to time constraints learning "scroll-jacking". We also realized that without scroll-jacking the different directions in which to scroll could be confusing and ultimately not a seamless scroll for the reader.
Solution & Final Figma Layout
We organized and moved forward in the project by hitting a couple of areas that had room for improvement. We created text columns the same width for each point to create consistency. We allowed the reader for a seamless scroll by sticking to vertical scrolling with a variety in a sticky scroll which would allow for a minimal focus on a certain image. We also incorporated a gallery view if the user wanted the option to opt-out of reading and enjoy the photos taken by late Zac Crain. To also obtain variety for the user, we provided different sections to be laid out differently with overlapping imagery.
Published Online Presentation & Micro-Animations
The final hand-off moved to the Digital Product Director, Ricky Ferrer. This was then revised and produced in Framer to create micro-animations throughout the layout. The end collaboration resulted in final notes and changes for desktop and mobile.
Words and Photography by Zac Crain from the September 2024 Issue