plum mag prototype
As part of my design course last term--I'm doing an MA in publishing!-- I had to do a re-design of an existing magazine, print or digital. I chose Skorch because it was the only currently in-print fatshion mag available (we miss you, Mode). I didn't so much re-use any of their content as I did compile and arrange the sort of content--fatosphere superstars, street style, HAES-- I'd like to see in such a mag. The parameters of the assignment were to create a cover, ToC, and two-page spread. The content belongs to the folks who generously gave me permission to use it in the project and is linked back to its source where possible.
In our magazine project this term, we are experimenting with how publications can best make use of what the digital publication format has to offer by embedding videos, links, and other media. One theory is that digital publications should give the user something to do (in print issues the doing is: reading, physically turning pages, and thinking, I suppose. ) At the very least, a digital edition should re-purpose the content of the print issue, integrating links and media. At most, a digital edition can stand as a completely different entity, a place to publish content that (in the opinion of the publisher) better lends itself to web format, forums etc. In the case of fatshion--where the brick & mortar options are often lacking-- I think there's something to be said about a format that takes the user directly to the website/ebay seller purveying the goods.
I've uploaded the mag (created in InDesign and converted to a pdf) to Issuu.com. Issuu is a free digital publication website/platform/format that hosts a variety of online mags. I hadn't heard much of Issuu until I was given this assignment, and I'm still testing the limits of what it can do, but I think it has a lot of potential to provide the backbone to self publishing projects and build a readership/community. I am still not entirely sure (cool page turning simulation aside) if Issuu is preferrable to your average internetter over, say, blog formats. Certainly you have more control over design/aesthetic, and it's a fairly intuitive interface, but does this make a significant difference to your online readership? I know that as a reader, I appreciate a purdy design, but read plenty of blogs primarily for their writing/images as opposed to their keen layout.
I thought you might find my trial effort relevant to your fatshion interests. You'll probably recognize the "contributors" (most of the content is ridiculously pun-laden fantasy content dreamed up by me) as awesome people I am internets friends with. Just click on the image to browse through the pages. (Best viewed in fullscreen). If you care to drag your mouse around, you'll find original source as well as relevant live links embedded in the doc as well.
Thanks again to everyone who sent me images/ideas for this assignment. I think it came out pretty well, all things considered.