Case Study

Arkansas Living Magazine

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GO-Live Date

September 25, 2023

Trusted Web Experts

Charlie Stanley Web Solutions Architect
Caleigh Pickard Project Manager
Anna Stopa Design & Layout
Mehran Aziz Web Developer
Joanna Velasquez Content Integration
Boris Zarev Content Integration
Alex Hathaway Development Revisions
Leanna Thesken Marketing & Case Study
Deanna Frimann Resource Allocation
Kenneth Kimbrell DNS & Web Hosting Setup
Michael Confalone Site Launch

Goals

Design RefreshEasy NavigationIncrease EngagementIncrease Use of Online ToolsOnline Publication
Visit Arkansas Living Magazine

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Floor Plan

Blueprint

Overview

About

Established as an essential platform to communicate the challenges and triumphs of electrifying rural Arkansas, Arkansas Living Magazine has grown from its initial role in the 1940s to a cherished monthly read for nearly 950,000 readers. Partnering with Powerful, the redesign mission aimed to encapsulate the warmth, vibrancy, and community spirit that Arkansas Living Magazine had fostered for decades.

Maintaining Brand Legacy

Arkansas Living Magazine isn’t just a publication; it’s a testament to the resilience, growth, and community spirit of Arkansas through the decades. Powerful ensured that this rich history wasn’t overshadowed by modern design elements. By seamlessly integrating “on-the-page” elements with modern design sensibilities, the website not only honors its roots but ensures that the brand’s longstanding traditions and values resonate with both long-time and new readers alike.

Immersive & Responsive Design

The modern reader seeks experiences that are both engaging and intuitive. Recognizing this, Powerful prioritized a mobile-first responsive design approach. No matter the device– be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop– the website automatically adjusts its layout, images, and functionalities to offer an optimized viewing experience. The fluidity and adaptability of the responsive design mean that the magazine’s rich legacy and vibrant community engagement remain accessible and beautifully presented, regardless of how readers choose to connect.

Arkansas Living Magazine desired to not only share content but to actively involve its reader community. An integral part of this engagement was enabling visitors to effortlessly contribute their own recipes, photos, and events through streamlined online forms. These forms, designed for clarity and ease, ensure that even those who aren’t tech-savvy can participate without hurdles. Meanwhile, on the backend, the magazine staff benefits from a simplified and friendly content management system. This system allows them to easily review, curate, and feature the community’s contributions. The combination of ease for both readers and staff solidifies the website redesign as a win-win solution, fostering enhanced community engagement while simplifying the editorial process.

By intricately weaving the magazine’s rich history with modern design practices, Powerful’s redesign ensures that Arkansas Living Magazine’s online presence feels like a true extension of its beloved print edition.

Challenges

The essence of flipping through the magazine pages-- the anticipation of what's next, the joy of discovering a new recipe, or the intrigue of the "Where is it?" contest-- was something readers cherished. Emulating that in a website, without the benefit of physical touch of printed paper, posed a significant challenge. Arkansas Living Magazine's goal was not just an online replica, but a space that evoked the same cozy, inviting feelings their print version delivered.

Solutions

Recognizing that readers cherished specific magazine sections, Powerful made these the pillars of the website redesign. Popular sections like "Gardening with Janet", "Let's Eat", and the "Where Is It" contest were given dedicated, easily accessible spaces. This was tied together with a brand-centric design that used inviting colors, and imagery synonymous with the magazine's signature style, ensuring every web page felt like a magazine spread come alive.

Results

The seamless integration between print and digital, achieved through meticulous design and brand-centric focus, reinforced Arkansas Living Magazine's identity as modern and forward thinking. The continuity across platforms solidifies the magazine's reputation as a cherished institution that evolves without losing touch with its roots.

With the largest circulation of any publication in the state and a 77-year history, Arkansas Living magazine is a living legacy. As we made changes to freshen the look and enhance reader-friendliness of print publication, our dated website no longer fit. We chose Powerful to redesign our website, as the company has completed several other projects for our cooperatives — always with great results and satisfaction. Collaborating with Powerful’s professional, creative and intuitive team was a dream; they listened to what we wanted, and they made the magic happen. We could always count on Powerful’s team to be organized, responsive and helpful during every stage of the project. We loved their work so much, it inspired us to create a new masthead/logo to bring everything together, and we’re even adding clever icons they created to our print edition. The new site is attractive, easy to navigate and mobile-friendly and, best of all, it’s a true reflection our time-honored brand.

Jennifer Christman Cia

Editor

Arkansas Living's Magazine website redesign was a project close to my heart, not just as the project manager, but also as someone who shares a deep connection with Arkansas. Working on this project filled me with immense pride because I not only knew the clients but also understood the significance of capturing the essence of Arkansas in our design. Anna's brilliant and stunning design brought our vision to life in a way that exceeded our expectations.

I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to the dedication and hard work of my incredible team, who poured their passion into every detail. It was a true collaborative effort, with both our team and the Arkansas Living team working seamlessly together. Together, we've created a website that not only reflects the beauty, culture, and people of Arkansas but also sets a high standard for the online presence of Arkansas Living's Magazine. This project has been a testament to what can be achieved when talent, dedication, and a shared love for what we do come together!

Caleigh Pickard

Project Manager

The website redesign for Arkansas Living Magazine was a truly enjoyable project! One of the most thrilling aspects of transitioning a publication to the digital realm is the opportunity to seamlessly weave the brand’s essence into the online space while preserving its authenticity. A standout feature of their new design was the manner in which we evoked the traditional charm of a print magazine by showcasing the logo atop captivating photography, resulting in a contemporary and distinctive aesthetic. Our collaborative efforts also inspired the magazine’s team to align with the brand refresh, which is beautifully featured through the custom icons! Beyond the visual makeover, we significantly enhanced the site’s functionality - maintenance and updates are now a breeze thanks to our tailored web apps, and the experience for site visitors is refreshingly straightforward and intuitive. Working with the magazine team was an absolute delight, and we are immensely proud to have been the team chosen to elevate their website!

Anna Stopa

Design & Layout

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