ICH Courier

The ICH Courier is the premier journal for UNESCO-ICHCAP. It launched in 2017 and won an International Stevies Award in 2020.

In 2016, I submitted a proposal to update the organization's sixteen-page newsletter and change it into a robust thirty-two-page cultural journal with more visual impact and energy. The proposal was approved, and we launched the following year. Below are a few images showing some of the transition.

Before and After

The images displayed below are from volumes 25 and 29. Volume 25 represents the original format while volume 29 showcases the updated version. Although each volume has its own general theme, it is not immediately apparent in volume 25 but becomes unavoidably so with volume 29.

The purpose of updating the cover was twofold: 1) to capture the attention of readers and 2) to convey the general theme at a glance. The sample of the interior pages features a single article from the "Windows to ICH" section of both volumes. Despite both articles having a similar word count, the two-page spread offers a more pleasing visual experience and enhances reader engagement compared to the single-page version.

General Approach and Skills Used

The submitted manuscripts were largely written by academics, government officials, and other SMEs whose first language was not English. This meant a good deal of work was required to fully articulate the intended meaning. After several rounds of editing and rewriting, the author approved  the final drafts. 

For the fourteen volumes on which I worked, I did the page layouts, text editing, photo manipulation, and manuscript reviews. I also periodically wrote articles and designed infographics and illustrations. The completed drafts went through an approval process that included reviews and updates by the editor-in-chief, assistant director-general, and director-general. They had final say in what we published. 

When the center released the first updated version, it was met with widespread acclaim, and a few years later, the ICH Courier won an international award, confirming its status as a bone fide resource in the cultural heritage field. 

Full Volume Example

For Courier project, I leveraged my expertise in editing, photo manipulation, graphic design, layout, and document optimization. Each task I undertook played a vital role in the creation of a polished and visually acceptable final product that resonated with its intended audience.

Randomly Selected Back Covers

Using my skills in copywriting and design, I created several back covers for the ICH Courier with Photoshop, Illustrator, or a combination of both. The aim was to promote center-related activities and events while creating engagement with readers.