An incredibly fun but short-lived magazine geared toward Utah's outdoor enthusiasts
Few places match Utah's backcountry for the sheer variety of outdoor experiences. Utah Outdoor Magazine set out each month to prove the state's preeminence in outdoor recreation. I loved it!
Throughout the magazine's 2.5-year run, I was its design director and the creative director of its parent company, Amazing Outdoors. This was one of the most enjoyable full-time jobs imaginable. I mourned the magazine's demise. Since then, I've worked on other magazines, but this was the best.
Working at Utah Outdoors was great — my staff and all the people I worked with were fantastic. The chances to get outdoors and explore the state weren't just opportunities — they were part of the job. In addition to designing all the main feature pages each month, I sometimes wrote stories and shot photos. Like I said, a great job.
So why didn't the magazine survive? I'm not sure, but I think a primary reason was its narrow focus on muscle-powered adventures rather than hunting, fishing, and powersports, where a larger audience and advertisers lie. In addition, a general decline in magazine readership was likely responsible for ending a magazine that really did deserve to exist.
While working at the magazine, I was also the creative director of its parent company, Amazing Outdoors. In this capacity, I also designed the company's website and led a creative staff consisting of videographers, photographers, and graphic designers.
Amazing Outdoors also published books, maps, an e-commerce website, billboards, and radio and television segments, which I either designed myself or supervised those who did.
