PETRIe Magazine

Pushing the boundaries of journalistic genres, elevated through editorial design.

I was commissioned as design director and tasked with a complete editorial redesign of the printed edition of PETRIe Magazine, aimed at aligning its strategic vision and visual language. Over three years, I hired and led a design team of two remotely, increased brand awareness and readership numbers, and helped manifest PETRIe as an award-winning magazine sold at recognised cultural institutions like Tate Modern, Frieze Art Fair, and the Photographer’s Gallery. A social campaign accompanied each printed publication.

Role: Design Director
2015–2018

Key Expertise: Design Direction, Design Leadership, Design Consultancy, Editorial Design, Social Campaign

Corner of petrie magazine cover showing a girl covering her eyes

PETRIe was an independent publication strived to tell diverse and representative stories and elevate non-mainstream voices. Established and emerging contributors gave voice to often ignored topics, pushing the boundaries of journalistic genres as they called for a deeper, more meaningful form of engagement.

PETRIe was sold at recognised cultural institutions like:

3 company logos of tate modern, frieze art fair and the photographers gallery

PETRIe #69
Extinction, 5th-anniversary issue

Covers of Petrie Magazine Issue 69
two award badges for stack awards and creativepool awards 2018-2019

- Stack Awards 2018: Shortlisted in the category 'Best use of photography'
- Creativepool Awards 2019: Silver in the category 'Publishing'

The new design direction focused on the layout's bare structure and main components. Photography and articles have room to breathe and interact with the viewer without distractions. Each publication is accompanied by a social campaign and additional insightful content on PETRIE's website.

Two magazine layouts. The first showing a male model with sombrero across spread, the second abstract legs
Magazine page showing a photo with a house being demolished and a second photo with women and high waves in the background
One iPhone and one iPad with the social instagram campaign for Petrie Magazine issue 69 launch

"The concept of PETRIe 69 to elevate non-mainstream voices and highlight the importance of keeping independent publications alive is certainly realised in what is a beautiful and what looks to be resilient piece of work. The message of the editorial is echoed through the realisation of the design — Mueller should be particularly praised for crafting a product made to last as a counter offering to our throw-away culture and the so-called death of print.”

Ellen Stewart — CreativePool Awards Judge 2019

PETRIe #68
Not Your Savage

Four different fashion covers of Petrie Magazine
two award badges for stack awards and creativepool awards 2017-2018

- Stack Awards 2017: Runners up to first place in the category 'Best use of photography'
- Creativepool Awards 2018: Bronze in the category of graphic design.

- Stack Awards 2017: Runners up to first place in the category 'Best use of photography'
- Creativepool Awards 2018: Bronze in the category graphic design.

Fashion editorial showing woman standing in boat on pond
Two magazine layouts. The first showing a photo of 2 man, the second a tree and girl
One iPhone and one iPad with the social instagram campaign for Petrie Magazine issue 68 launch

One-month social campaign rollout for PETRIe 68 on Instagram to increase awareness and excitement around the redesign, release and launch at the Photographers’ Gallery.

Petrie magazines showcased at the launch event at the photographers gallery. One person reading the magazine.

Launch event at The Photographers’ Gallery London.

“Contemporary and bold with an appealing aesthetic that avoids the current editorial generics.”

Lee Hoddy — CreativePool Awards Judge 2018

PETRIe #67
Privary and Exposure

Cover of Petrie Magazine Issue 67 showing woman dressed in red

Katja Alissa Mueller
— design, vision, strategy

Based in London.
© Katja Alissa Mueller, forever

Based in London.
© 2019, Katja Alissa Mueller

Based in London.
© 2019, Katja Alissa Mueller