The independent print magazine Documentary, available on newsstands, Barnes & Noble, universities and film festivals around the world, has been serving the nonfiction storytelling community since 1989. As the Creative Director of the publication from Fall 2016 to Spring 2022, I strived to not only grow the original 2014 rebrand by Franklyn and Aaron Pedersen, but also progress and evolve the art direction with each issue's theme.

As the sole creative, designer and photo editor, I developed all visual concepts and layouts, commissioned and directed illustrators and photographers, prepped print-ready files, and conducted matchprint and press checks.


Covers

Spring 2022

Design by Susan Yin

Spring 2021

On-set still from Stray

Winter 2022

Design by Susan Yin and Gabe Loredo

Fall 2019

Illustrations by Susan Yin

Winter 2020

Photo by Maggie Shannon

Fall 2017

Illustration by Webuyyourkids

Summer 2021

Composite film stills from Faya Dayi

Fall 2020

Letterpress Design by Nisha Kaur Sethi

Spring 2018

Altered set photo by Liaoyi Wang

Fall 2018

Illustration by Scrap Labs

Winter 2017

Illustration by Wayne Mills

Spring 2017

Origami by Taro's Origami Studio


Features

Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design and illustratioin by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of cinecamera by  Maggie Shanon
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Lumix mirrorless camera by  Maggie Shanon
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Zeiss cine lenses by  Maggie Shanon
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Canon lens by  Maggie Shanon
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Manfrotto tripod by  Maggie Shanon
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin; Zoom users
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin featuring Firelight Media

Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design and illustratioin by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of cinecamera by  Maggie Shanon Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Lumix mirrorless camera by  Maggie Shanon Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Zeiss cine lenses by  Maggie Shanon Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Canon lens by  Maggie Shanon Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin with photo of Manfrotto tripod by  Maggie Shanon Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin; Zoom users Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin featuring Firelight Media

Columns

Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin feat. football soccer star Diego Maradona
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin
Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin

Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin feat. football soccer star Diego Maradona Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin Documentary editorial film magazine spread design by Susan Q Yin

Digital

Using Format