Creating a visual identity for fixers in journalism
In journalism, a fixer is someone, often a local journalist, hired by a correspondent or a media company to help arrange a story.
Objective
FixingKosovo.net was a chance to amplify the work of an organization connecting international journalists with local fixers in Kosovo—a mission rooted in storytelling and collaboration. The challenge was to create a platform that felt as impactful and authentic as the stories it would help tell, while standing out with a bold, newspaper-inspired design.
Design Vision
From the beginning, I wanted the site to feel like a digital translation of a print newspaper—bold, striking, and unapologetically clear. This design choice wasn’t just about aesthetics – it reflected the immediacy and urgency of the stories Fixing Kosovo aimed to share.
I leaned into a grid-based layout, bold typography, and a palette punctuated with vibrant orange and deep yellow accents. This combination created a sense of both order and energy, drawing users in, while directing their focus to the content.
Visual Placement: A hero image of the homepage showing the newspaper-inspired layout and bold colour scheme.
Original Visuals
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was the collaboration with the Fixing Kosovo team’s photographer. Their stunning, field-captured photographs became the heart of the site’s visual identity. But instead of using them as-is, I re-imagined them as illustrations.
This process allowed us to blend the raw authenticity of the photos with a unique, creative edge. Each illustration added depth to the stories while giving the site a cohesive, visually striking look.
Visual Placement: Side-by-side comparisons of original photographs and their illustrations.
Process Highlights
1. Understanding the Mission
To design something meaningful, I first had to immerse myself in the project’s goals. Through interviews with stakeholders and analysis of similar platforms, I gained clarity on what the site needed: simplicity, impact, and a design that resonated with its audience.
2. Design and Prototyping
The design process began with wireframes to define structure and flow. From there, I developed high-fidelity prototypes that brought the bold newspaper aesthetic to life. The photography-to-illustration workflow became a key feature, adding both personality and cohesion.
Visual Placement: Early sketches and wireframes alongside the final high-fidelity designs.
3. Collaborative Implementation
Working closely with developers, I ensured the design translated seamlessly into a functional WordPress site. Mobile responsiveness was a priority, as the site needed to be accessible to a global audience on various devices.
Visual Placement: Screenshots of the site on mobile, tablet, and desktop screens.
Outcome
FixingKosovo.net is a platform that embodies the passion and purpose of the people behind it. Its bold design captures the essence of grassroots journalism while offering a user-friendly, engaging experience for visitors.
For me, this project was a reminder of how design can elevate a mission. Seeing it live and knowing it’s helping connect fixers and journalists is the real reward.
Visual Placement: A full-page screenshot or interactive mockup of the finished site.
Does this version meet your needs? Let me know if there’s anything else to refine!