Publication Design
for Print and Digital at Ellie
An approachable editorial system designed to bring therapist-written mental health information to readers across print and digital.
Live Authentically Magazine/ Case Study
The Challenge
Ellie Mental Health needed a recurring magazine that could make therapist-written mental health information feel approachable, useful, and engaging. The publication had to work equally well in clinic waiting rooms, at home, and digitally, while giving a wide range of articles and topics a consistent Ellie look and feel.
The Solution
Kira developed a flexible editorial system using clear typographic hierarchy, bright brand colors, photography, illustration, and graphic elements to make dense or sensitive subject matter easier to navigate.
The system allowed individual stories and special editions to have their own personality while maintaining a consistent visual language throughout the magazine. Pride and family-focused editions extended the system to different audiences and topics without losing the overall Ellie identity.
Client
Ellie Mental Health
Kira’s Role
Editorial Design + Visual Direction
Editorial System + Template Development
Typography + Layout
Photography + Image Direction
Icon + Graphic Asset Design
Print + Digital Adaptation
Preflight + Print Production
Digital Experience
The digital edition was adapted for tablet and screen-based reading rather than simply reproducing the printed magazine. Kira considered page progression, readability, and navigation, and incorporated interactive links that allowed readers to move directly from articles to therapist-recommended resources and related content.
“I like creating enough structure to make a publication feel consistent, while still giving each story room to have its own personality. Good editorial design should help people move through the content without getting in the way of it.”
— Kira Olson
Editorial System Evolution
As Ellie’s visual identity evolved, Kira updated the magazine system to reflect the new brand while preserving the structure and readability that made the publication work.
Rather than redesigning each issue from scratch, she developed a flexible editorial framework that could carry forward into future editions while allowing individual stories and themes to feel distinct.
