Central Piedmont Community College Creative Arts Magazine

Creative art magazines provide an important platform for student expression while showcasing cultural trends of their time. Central Piedmont Community college demonstrates the significance of magazines such as these through their preservation of Keystone Creative Arts Magazine (1998), that shows the talent and creative process of their students.

Keystone, the magazine, produced by the Office of Student Life is a part of Central Piedmont’s time-honored tradition of encouraging enrolled students to submit their own works for publication. Original works are submitted in different art forms such as photography, painting, and poetry. Each work is carefully reviewed and are rewarded with first, second, and third place titles. Alf Ward, Margot Livesy, Carolyn DeMerrit, Katheryn Stripling Byer and Jon Steele are all judges assigned to one specific topic of submissions. 

Beyond recognizing the judges, contributions from students as well as those who have graduated are highlighted. Alongside these contributors, there is a brief description informing readers of their career goals and current professional pathways to allow viewers to gain insight into the individuals behind the work. Including details like these may seem minor, yet allow a more personal connection between the reader and designer.

Creative arts magazines like Keystone present themselves with artistic styles relevant to trends of their publication period. For example, different design layouts are implemented, where experimentation with layering, color, and hierarchy occur. Each spread within the magazine feels cohesive through the use of one primary typeface and one color. The usage of only one color is intentional so that that magazine itself does not take away from student works. Thin line work is also strategically placed to lead the viewers eye to each chunk of information in a guided, organized fashion. Magazines like these were possible using software and digital tools that allowed designers to use digital typesetting tools rather than by hand. Advancements during the late 20th century allowed for experimentation with image montaging and creating transparent imagery (Meggs, 2025). Here, these techniques are clearly seen within the magazine. 

Not only is the design of the inside of the magazine important, creating a cover that pulls viewers in was crucial. The front cover provides snippets into the student-made artwork and is highly colorful pulling interest from viewers who might spot this from a distance (Internet Archive, 2024). The magazine cover reflects its 1998 era through the structured grid layout, bold use of geometric shapes, and stylized text. The cover’s vibrant color palette also highlights the design trend of playful visuals and eye-catching contrasting. Trends such as these are meant to impact the viewer and stick with them.  

The Keystone creative arts magazine is not just a record of public student works, yet exemplifies tradition through creativity and student voices. Through thoughtful design decisions, the magazine captures a moment in its time. Preserving this magazine has allowed for a celebration of artistic expression.