YEROC MAGAZINE.
Academic Portfolio Project: A Focus on Men's Mental Health
This project, completed during my Sixth Form studies, centered on the critical and timely issue of men's mental health. Designed as a three-page magazine feature, the entire piece was strategically released to coincide with Movember, providing a powerful context for dialogue and awareness. The work not only received high marks but also served as a foundational piece for launching my creative portfolio.
Conceptual Design and Execution
The core concept involved using the promotion of a featured artist as a narrative vehicle to capstone the broader discussion on male well-being. This allowed the feature to maintain an engaging, lifestyle-oriented aesthetic while delivering meaningful content.
The photography and location strategy were integral to grounding the subject matter in the urban environment of London. Shoots were conducted across diverse, everyday locations—from the bustling transport links of the Tube and the lively atmosphere of festivals to the specific green spaces of Greenwich. This deliberate choice aimed to demonstrate that conversations about mental health are relevant everywhere and must be integrated into daily life
The "Ye Roc" Future Vision
Recognizing the crucial nature of this topic, I plan to continue developing this area of publishing. My future work will focus on the concept of "Ye Roc," an acronym designed to promote positive self-talk and self-promotion specifically targeted at young men.
This emphasis on internal resilience resonates deeply with my own recent experience of transitioning from a small-town educational environment into a large company setting. This phase of life—moving out of structured school systems and into the complexities of the "real world"—presents significant challenges to mental and emotional health. The "You Roc" concept is designed to help men cultivate a strong inner dialogue, fostering self-acceptance and confidence necessary to navigate career pressures, new social dynamics, and the inherent hardships of adult transition. This work aims to shift the narrative from focusing solely on crises to promoting preventative and constructive internal wellness strategies.
