Nova Literary-Arts Magazine is a student produced publication that features a curated selection of artwork, audio, poetry, short stories and films.
In 1970, UNC Charlotte launched the literary-arts magazine Sanskrit. Since its debut, Sanskrit became an award-winning magazine that is nationally recognized. In 2021 the students of Sanskrit formed a committee to explore rebranding the magazine and thus Sanskrit became Nova. You can read more about the change and rebranding to Nova here.
Our student staff works hard to ensure that the very best poetry, short stories, and art is featured in the magazine. Our designers spend hours perfecting the layout and the design.
Editor-in-Chief | Kelly Gilbert
Associate Director | Tommy Tighe
Content Editor | Chandu Changalvala
Content Editor | Isabella Justiniano
Promotions Coordinator | Jessica Burgos
Website Manager | Alexander Beets
Lead Designer | Skyler Parrow-Strong
Lead Designer | Skyler Parrow-Strong
Designer | Vishal Nair
Designer | Noah Atwood
Photographers | Skyler Parrow-Strong, Vishal Nair, and Noah Atwood
Photographers | Skyler Parrow-Strong, Vishal Nair, and Noah Atwood
Judges | Jeff Murphy, Shelley Sloan Ellis, Bobby Campbell, Thomas Schmidt, Christine Arvidson, Bert Wray,
and Tiffany Morin
and Tiffany Morin
Website
LOGO & BRAND DEVELOPMENT
MAGAZINE COVER DEVELOPMENT
MAGAZINE CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
BEHIND THE SCENES
Tabling Events
Staff Photoshoot
Opening Letters from Submissions
Niner Media Awards Banquet '22
Niner Media Awards Banquet '22 - Designers
Niner Media Awards Banquet '22 - Team
Elevator Graphic
Team Dinner
Gallery Reception 1
Gallery Reception 2
Gallery Reception 3
Gallery Reception 4
Gallery Reception 5
Gallery Reception 6
Gallery Reception 7
Gallery Reception 8
Gallery Reception 9
Final Designs
LOGO
Since Nova's initial launch in 1970, previously known as Sanskrit, it went on to become a nationally recognized and award winning literary-arts magazine. Although the previous name captured the attention of college students over the years,
it rather confused individuals as they expected it
to relate to Hinduism or South-Asian culture.
Due to the meaning and historical origins of the brand name, we felt that it was not appropriate
to continue to carry that name and instead conducted surveys and focus groups to determine
a refreshing new name that displays our magazine's core values.
it rather confused individuals as they expected it
to relate to Hinduism or South-Asian culture.
Due to the meaning and historical origins of the brand name, we felt that it was not appropriate
to continue to carry that name and instead conducted surveys and focus groups to determine
a refreshing new name that displays our magazine's core values.
MAGAZINE
After a year of conducting focus groups, holding tabling events, and promoting our organization on social media, our team brainstormed ideas on how to curate the 53rd edition of our annual magazine publication, previously known as Sanskrit. Our organization produces a yearly publication of submissions all around
the world. Collecting our highest record of 533 submissions, only 68 pieces were showcased this year ranging from short stories and poems to works of art. As lead designer, I worked with my team of graphic designers, Noah Atwood and Vishal Nair helped to create an energetic display of graphics and editorial layouts.
We were able to get first hand experience and had the opportunity to learn about the beautiful,
layered process of print production.
the world. Collecting our highest record of 533 submissions, only 68 pieces were showcased this year ranging from short stories and poems to works of art. As lead designer, I worked with my team of graphic designers, Noah Atwood and Vishal Nair helped to create an energetic display of graphics and editorial layouts.
We were able to get first hand experience and had the opportunity to learn about the beautiful,
layered process of print production.
POSTER
Nova's publication was designed to hold a poster located on the inside of the last cover page using
a fold to secure it to the magazine. The image illuminates Nova's vision: exploring limitless ideas and encouraging artists to share their work in the space we designed for them.
a fold to secure it to the magazine. The image illuminates Nova's vision: exploring limitless ideas and encouraging artists to share their work in the space we designed for them.
INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN
In addition to our campus wide campaign, we also encouraged our followers to join us on social media. At tabling events, we created flyers with a QR code that connects people to our Linktree. There, one can access the Instagram page to keep up with the club.
In the image to the left, we introduced our rebrand with the theme and definition of Nova:
"a star that suddenly becomes thousands
of times brighter and then gradually
fades to its original intensity." - source
of times brighter and then gradually
fades to its original intensity." - source
STICKERS
Reflecting the style of Nova's front cover,
we designed circular stickers to hand out to the public at the gallery receptions and tabling events. We created the stickers by centering our logo on the front of the holographic material.
we designed circular stickers to hand out to the public at the gallery receptions and tabling events. We created the stickers by centering our logo on the front of the holographic material.
Mugs
Our team designed a set of mugs to place into
our giveaway prizes. Our team understands the importance of coffee and want to share that with our supporters!
our giveaway prizes. Our team understands the importance of coffee and want to share that with our supporters!
Buttons
We made each button by hand as a gift from
us to our readers. Using various pieces from our promotional materials, we created a mixture
of buttons from our campaign imagery.
us to our readers. Using various pieces from our promotional materials, we created a mixture
of buttons from our campaign imagery.
T-Shirts
As every college student loves free t-shirts,
we decided to throw in shirts to our giveaway
prizes as well.
we decided to throw in shirts to our giveaway
prizes as well.