I start with the brief because if i skip that, everything gets messy fast. I read it like a checklist but also like a story. What is this magazine or book trying to do, who is it for, and what has to be on the page no matter what. Then i grab references and notes, not to copy, just to see what already exists and what feels tired.

Research turns into a concept pretty quick. I try a few directions in my head, then i sketch the simplest one first. After that the grid comes in like the quiet rules that keep me from making random choices. Once the grid is there, typography gets serious. I test type sizes, spacing, and how headings talk to body text. Imagery comes next and it can change everything. A photo can force more white space or push text into a tighter column, so i keep adjusting.

Iteration is where i stop pretending it will be perfect on try one. I print pages or zoom out and look for problems like awkward gaps, weak hierarchy, or pages that feel too heavy. Final production is the last check where details matter a lot. Bleeds, margins, color settings, file names even.