The Highest Honor in Our Field

A story doesn't come alive through words alone. It's the photographers, designers and art directors who give our reporting its visual heartbeat. And no one does that better than our creative director, Jeff Sanner.

4 hours ago

Jennifer Ablan,

Dear readers, Hawaii Business Magazine was recently named the best regional business magazine in the country – the highest honor in our field. It was a thrilling moment for our entire team.

As writers and editors, we often receive much of the spotlight. But this award reminded me of something essential: the power of visuals in storytelling. A story doesn’t come alive through words alone. It’s the photographers, designers and art directors who give our reporting its visual heartbeat. And no one does that better than our creative director, Jeff Sanner.

In recognizing Hawaii Business, the judges from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism wrote:

“This is a fabulous reading experience from cover to cover. Truly engaging, smart design elevates the concepts in feature stories – such as ‘Gen Z in the Workplace’ or ‘A Renters Purgatory.’ Cover stories and features are varied and deep. Other stories are rooted in local context and clearly elevate the conversation for the local business community.”

That “smart design” is Jeff’s doing. In fact, the Gen Z cover won first-place gold for Best Magazine Cover, while Hawaii Business earned Magazine of the Year for our overall work during 2024. See page 20 for the full details on all the honors we received at the Alliance of Area Business Publishers’ annual awards ceremony on June 20.

I sat down with Jeff to talk about his life’s work, what sparks his creativity and the story behind the Gen Z cover that earned national recognition.

How did you come up with the Gen Z cover art?

I went through several concepts for this story, focusing on themes like Gen Z, multitasking and work-life balance. Even though I’m not part of Gen Z, my experience in the workforce has shown me how job roles have evolved over the years. Where there once were specific, clearly defined tasks for each employee, today’s roles are shifting toward the jack-of-all-trades model. That’s what inspired the multitasking – or “wearing multiple hats” – concept for this piece. It felt like the right visual metaphor for the Gen Z generation navigating modern work life.

How do you typically approach your artwork?

I’m a graphic designer at heart, and my love for printmaking has heavily influenced how I approach art. Everything I create is, in a way, a collage. From my early days making zines using Xerox machines and cut-and-paste techniques to screen printing and poster making, my work has always involved layering and texture. Now, as a mostly digital artist, I combine found imagery, illustrations, photography, typography and textures in my work. Every piece I create carries a bit of that collage spirit.

What’s your process when collaborating with reporters?

When I work with reporters or writers, I usually start with a concept they’ve shared, or I take bits and pieces and interpret them in my own way – adding flesh to the idea, so to speak. My goal is to enhance or amplify the story through visuals, offering an interpretation that grabs attention and brings new layers of meaning. Ultimately, my work is meant to complement the writing and attract readers who might not have been drawn to the story otherwise.

What’s the best part of your job?

Being able to explore more conceptual forms of art that can tell a story all on their own.

Who or what inspires your design work?

There are so many incredible graphic designers who inspire me. I also collect midcentury modern furniture – Eames, Arne Jacobsen and even the knockoffs from that era. I draw inspiration from music, contemporary artists like the Pow Wow muralists, street artists and toys, from pop culture, photography, and, yes, even beer.