Drexel University's EXEL Magazine 2014
Scientific photography, illustration, and infographics fill the dynamic third edition of Drexel's annual research magazine.
The third edition of EXEL, the annual research magazine published by Drexel University in Philadelphia, begins hitting mailboxes this month. The new 2014 issue was designed and produced by designer Carla Delgado in Pentagram’s Austin office, with DJ Stout serving as art director and partner-in-charge. The Pentagram team, working with programmer Hunter Cross, also developed EXEL magazine’s online counterpart, exelmagazine.org.
The latest issue of the award-winning publication features an eye-catching shot of PVC pipe on its cover. Yes, PVC pipe—plastic pipe. The magazine’s distinctive cover format unfolds to reveal the name Drexel, a large graphic letter “X,” and a striking image of the blue pipe. Like the previous issues, the third edition of EXEL features a wide array of visually dynamic scientific photography, illustration and infographics, which are used in inventive layouts to express Drexel’s rich research narratives.
“Our emphasis is on featuring the research—the actual subject matter of the research—not just the researchers,” says Stout. “We believe science and research is inherently interesting.”
CASE (the Council for Advancement and Support of Education) recently honored the second edition of EXEL with a Gold (first place), in their national Circle of Excellence Awards. The judges for the prestigious higher education awards competition made these comments about the winning entry:
"EXEL is a magazine of substance. Every page is rich with solid writing, intelligent design, colorful visuals, and creative, smart storytelling. Flipping through the pages of EXEL, one gets the feeling that Drexel University is an important institution of higher learning, where important research is being conducted, and where big ideas have the potential to change the world. What impressed us the most about EXEL was the extraordinary way in which it simplifies the research, science, and big ideas taking place at Drexel, and makes it all compelling and combustible to an average reader. This is not an easy task. It was clear to our panel of judges that the writers and editors of EXEL invest an immense amount of thought and creativity into every story. The driving ethos behind every story seems to be: How can we make this interesting to readers? For a magazine with so much information, our judges never got reader's fatigue with EXEL. 'This is a magazine you would keep coming back to,' one of our judges said. We suspect the recipients of EXEL feel the same way."
The third issue of EXEL continues its winning ways.
