Photography by Brandon Sullivan
With Kono Magazine, the goal was to strike a balance between specialized learning and a broader exploration of true kids’ culture.
Cory was the first and only designer who really understood Kono's vision. He created a world for kids that was fresh, energetic, and cool without the kiddie cliches or cheesiness that we had seen with other attempts at brand identity. - HK Kim, Editor-in-Chief, Kono Magazine
The concept was to create the first fully immersive kids’ lifestyle magazine that seamlessly combined all aspects of a child’s life without losing the element of fun. Movies, video games, books, sports, health, and more — every topic that shapes a child’s world was included. Unlike most kids’ magazines, which tend to focus on a single aspect of childhood, this magazine aimed to treat kids as seriously as any publication would treat its readership. While children’s lives are often influenced by parents and other external factors, they still have active, curious minds and a desire to engage with a wide range of cultural touchpoints.
Kono was a kids-first consumer lifestyle magazine published by Kono Media; the project included creative direction, art direction, design, editorial, print production, sales, and subscription management. The Editor-in-Chief was HK Kim. Illustrations by Paul Howalt, Jonny Arvizu, Stevel Tansley, and more. The magazine was printed by RR Donnelley in California and distributed internationally to martial arts schools and newsstands across the United States. Supported by every major movie and television studio, Kono quickly positioned itself as the go-to lifestyle magazine for kids - earning credibility by taking its young audience seriously and growing to a circulation of 200,000 within its first year.
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