Jonathan Levine

A 'Blog-folio' of My Work as an Editor In Chief & Creative Director

July 1, 2009

> Editorial Features

Below is an assortment of editorial that I conceptualized, assigned, edited and creative directed.


R&B Superstar Akon for YRB Magazine, 2007


Olympic Gold Medalist Hannah Teter for YRB Magazine, 2007


LA Based Rapper Mickey Avalon for YRB Magazine, 2007


Reno 911: Miami for YRB Magazine, 2007


NHL Superstar Sean Avery for YRB Magazine, 2007


Comedian Andy Samberg for YRB Magazine, 2007


Gossip Blogger Perez Hilton for YRB Magazine, 2007

The individual components of an editorial layout are as integral to the item's overall success as the graphic design that is applied to them. As an Editor and Creative Director, the challenge of combining words and images in an effort to tell a complete story is a thought-provoking process that involves an intimate marriage of typography, photography, illustration and copy.

When I joined YRB Magazine, I was faced with the task of overseeing a complete editorial and visual overhaul. I creative directed the publication into a new era; redesigning the logo, cover typography, FOB, slugs and department aesthetics along the way. I employed and led a motivated and fresh group of designers, photographers, illustrators, editors and writers - and succeeded in creating a publication that was as intriguing to read as it was stimulating to gape at.

March 17, 2009

> Magazine Covers

Below is an assortment of Magazine Covers that I conceptualized, assigned, edited and creative directed during my tenure as Editor In Chief & Creative Director at YRB Magazine in New York City.


Evan Rachael Wood for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine



My Chemical Romance for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine


The Denim Issue (Joanna Krupa) for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine


Nelly Furtado for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine


30 Seconds to Mars for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine


Joss Stone for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine



Lupe Fiasco for YRB Magazine.
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine.



Fall Fashion (Kim Smith) for YRB Magazine.
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine.

From April 2006 to September 2007, I served as the Editor In Chief and Art Director of YRB Magazine, a Soho-NY based fashion/music/lifestyle publication. I am very proud of the work I created during this time - and of the host of talented stylists, photographers, designers, editors, writers and other professionals who contributed to the magazine's quality. The results were evident in each issue that was produced during my tenure with the publication. Above are an assortment of my favorite covers from this era...

> Fashion Shoot Art Direction & Concepts

Below is an assortment of fashion shoots that I conceptualized, assigned, and creative directed.


Dirt for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Photography: Nicky Woo



The Denim Matrix for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Illustrations: Jess Rotter


Almost Famous for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine



Backstage at the Roxy for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Photography: Randall Slavin


Instant Rockstar for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Photography: Fat Jack


Contents: Fragile for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Photography: Nicky Woo


Dirty Laundry for YRB Magazine
Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Photography: Randall Slavin

As a Creative Director, there are few assignments more exciting than fashion shoots. All of the images above are from spreads that I conceptualized and art directed between 2006 and 2008, working with an assortment of the country's brightest stars in styling, hair & make-up, and of course - photography. I also directed the design aesthetic for each of the resulting layouts.

A complete listing of the professionals who contributed their skills to these shoots will soon be posted.




> Graphical Heavy Treatments


ON Location (Globally Scene) Template
This a map that I developed which features cultural events within the world of pop-culture on a global scale.
The map appeared in each issue of YRB Magazine that I edited and still exists within the publication today.


'The 4 Elements' Logo Treatments


Featured Product Review w/ Category Icons

March 16, 2009

> Logos, Icons, and Others


Locally Grown Treatments for College Dining Program


Icons for Turner Broadcasting


Icons for Navigation for Eco Website


Astrological Icons for Turner Broadcasting


Assorted 'Jump Off' Logos


Assorted 'Theme Issue Logos'


Random Fashion Logos


Jonny Mundo's Top 10 Layout Treatment


'Rock Issue' Vector Illustration; Art Direction: Jonathan Levine; Illustration: Ango



March 15, 2009

> Media Kits




YRB Magazine Media Kit (Creative Direction and Content by Jonathan Levine)


TOAST Magazine Media Kit
(Creative Direction and Content by Jonathan Levine)

> Assorted Layouts


Sneaker Layout for YRB Magazine; Art Direction: Jonathan Levine


Jonny Mundo's Top 10; Art Direction and Writing: Jonathan Levine


In The Bag: Recycled Accessories; Art Direction, Editing, and Writing: Jonathan Levine


Header Treatment: Stevie Wonder Redux; Art Direction and Editing: Jonathan Levine

March 14, 2009

> We All Scream for...Ice Cream? Yes!






In 2007 I was brought to the breezy Caribbean for nearly a year - developing a brand identity for Happy Face, a US Virgin Islands based super-premium, all-natural ice cream brand.

Above are some of the logos that were designed for individual ice cream flavors and products. I created all of the company's imagery, including the point of purchase materials, advertisements, photographs, business documents and also was integral in initiating a variety of innovative marketing efforts.

March 13, 2009

> Websites (Content, Creative Direction & Design)


Tween Site for Turner Broadcasting (New Products Group), New York City - (Inactive Link)


Double Digit Network for Rebound Entertainment, New York City - Click to Link to Site



Company Site for The New Regime, New York City - Click to Link to Site


Box-Set for Rebound Entertainment, New York City - Click to Link to Site


EcoSalon for Rebound Entertainment, New York City


The Big Apple Chili Fest
for Chelsea Market, New York City
- Click to Link to Site


Landing Page Design for MyPretrial.com


Happy Face Ice Cream for Happy Face Foods, St. Thomas, USVI

Toast Online for Toast Magazine, New York City


Dodgeball Champions for Rebound Entertainment, New York City


Corporate Site for Jeffrey Sladkus, LLC; New York/Atlanta


Website for Launch Flix; Phoenix, AZ



While the evolution of my design sensibility is evident in chronological order on this 'blog-folio', I feel that my earlier work is also a representation of my aesthetic vision. While I am not a web-developer, I have art directed numerous websites, each with its own specific purpose.

Above are thumbnails of some of the home pages I have designed with the assistance of a network of talented programmers that I have maintained relationships with.