Dave Mac Graphics - Okotoks Living Magazine: Derby Dreams

For the Summer 2014 issue of Okotoks Living, I designed a three-page spread for the sports section profiling Roller Derby and the creation of the Southern Alberta Junior Roller Derby Association. The article and photos were supplied to me, and my role was to translate the energy, attitude, and DIY spirit of the sport into a layout that felt as bold and gritty as the subject matter.

While I followed the magazine’s established grid and typography, I was able to push the design further by angling titles and pull quotes and placing them in bold blocks to echo the chaotic, punk-rock aesthetic of roller derby culture. Bright pink and yellow accents, rough textures, and a scuffed background reminiscent of a rink floor helped reinforce the atmosphere. I also isolated players from one of the photos so text could flow around them, keeping the layout dynamic and less rigid.

The spread was built in Adobe InDesign, with photos colour corrected and cropped in Photoshop. I worked with the art director to approve the concept and the editor for text adjustments to fit the space. The main challenge was balancing the gritty, high-energy feel with clear readability, ensuring the layout stayed true to both the magazine’s standards and the spirit of the sport.