Sac State Magazine

Celebrating the Past, Envisioning the Future:

Designing Sac State Magazine’s 75th Anniversary Edition

The Sac State Magazine is an annual publication distributed to a wide range of on-campus and external audiences, including alumni, donors, staff, faculty, and students. The 2023 edition, marking the university’s 75th anniversary, holds special significance as it was intended to honor Sacramento State’s history and its profound impact on the region over the past seven and a half decades.

As the designer for this edition, I aimed to create a visually striking cover that not only captured the celebratory tone of the anniversary but also reflected the university’s legacy. The cover featured a UV Spot Gloss treatment applied to the University logo, masthead, anniversary mark, and select illustration elements—highlighting the university’s distinguished history while adding a tactile dimension that invites the reader to engage with the piece.

The magazine includes a blend of archival images and compelling written pieces by University Communications staff, showcasing Sacramento State’s achievements and its ongoing contribution to the community. While this edition serves as a milestone in the university’s history, it also marks the potential end of this format for the magazine. As of 2024, the future of the publication is uncertain due to budget constraints and upcoming staffing changes, including the retirement of the newsroom editor.

Having had the privilege of designing the last few editions, I’ve explored various formats and approaches, considering how the publication can evolve in the future. If the magazine is revisited, I envision a shift toward a more student-focused narrative, showcasing the voices of current students and featuring contributions from student writers and artists. The magazine’s format had its place in time, but as the university’s culture evolves, the next edition should better reflect the dynamic, diverse community that Sac State represents today.