BUTU Magazine Issue 1

Issue 1 of BUTUMAG focused on the value of outsider perspectives and the influence of diasporic living on various art forms.

Featuring 78 pages of design, writing and photography, BUTUMAG is an entirely self funded, self produced and self published venture. Issue 1 had an initial print run of 220 copies, stocked in 3 countries and sold digitally at butumag.com.

At the outset of this project, I intended BUTU Magazine to serve as the middle point between a street culture publication & an art book, with a number of inspirations ranging from i-D Magazine, Grand Royal Magazine, Julian Schnabel art books & classic hip-hop magazines.

Throughout the design stage of this project, Maria and I leaned into these two pillars of inspiration to form the visual language of the magazine, whilst also aiming to reflect as much of the written content in the design as possible. Various elements of the writing were present in the design of their respective sections.

Issue 1 of BUTU Magazine launched on the 29th of November 2024 at The Photobook Cafe in Shoreditch, in conjunction with Wild Grape Wines. The night featured DJ sets from Chase Tha Worst, Ollyonline and Rounstoppable. The night was captured on film by Isabelle Laugenie.

Many of the artists featured in the first issue were present on the night, celebrating being aliens of the city. Prior to the launch, 4 different variants of the same poster were designed as promotional material.