Troubled Woman

Troubled Woman is a self-directed editorial magazine exploring the lives, identities and inherited experiences of women from Northern Ireland / the North of Ireland. Rooted in my own experience of growing up between Catholic and Protestant backgrounds in Derry and Belfast, the project reflects on the cultural and emotional aftermath of the Troubles and the lasting influence of conflict on everyday life, identity and womanhood.

The magazine challenges Northern Ireland’s long-standing “Say Nothing” mentality by creating space for women’s voices, personal stories and perspectives that are often overlooked or left unspoken. Through essays, interviews, archival imagery and contemporary visual storytelling, the project explores themes of memory, silence, resilience, humour and cultural inheritance.

Visually, the publication combines nostalgic references with contemporary editorial design. Inspired by Northern Irish visual culture from the 1970s–1990s, the magazine uses grainy photography, layered textures, bold typography, mural-inspired lettering and expressive layouts to create a publication that feels emotionally charged, immersive and politically rooted.

Troubled Woman became both a personal exploration of home and identity, and an opportunity to develop a cohesive editorial language that balances tension, storytelling and experimentation. The project reflects my interest in concept-driven design, cultural commentary and emotionally led visual communication.