A couple of paragraphs that had been written for inclusion in chapter 2 was shared with Dominique. The deadlines for each chapter were reviewed and a new timescale was devised. Ideally a first draft would have been completed by the christmas break, but due to personal circumstances this was not possible. However it was agreed that much of the writing could be done over the christmas break and that by the start of the new term a first draft could be completed and ready for review.
The practical element of the extended was also reviewed. It was agreed that as a main theme of the essay would be evaluating the success of queer publications, a body of work that reflected the ideas of success within graphic design would be the most relevant. It was discussed that undertaking a rebrand of a publication that had been found to be unsuccessful within the research of the essay could be an appropriate project to undertake. The concept of archives could also be discussed within the essay and this could be extended into the physical work also - perhaps the creation and branding of a new archive or a new publishing house that would represent the publications examined in the essay.
For the next tutorial in the new term a first draft of the essay will be complete and a more solid idea of the practical work along with research for this will be presented.
Friday, December 1, 2017
OUGD601 - Extended Essay Extract - Them.
Perhaps the newest of all queer publications making its debut into the commercial realm is the yet-to-be-released Them. magazine. The first independent brand to be launched by media giant Condé Nast in over a decade, the endeavour promises “a next-generation community platform [that] chronicles and celebrates the stories, people and voices that are emerging and inspiring all of us, […] through the lens of today’s LGBTQ community”. Spearheaded by the former digital editorial director of Teen Vogue, the acclaimed Phillip Picardi, the brand initially launched on 4 October 2017 with the promise of a physical printed magazine as well as an immersive online presence through social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
While social media sites appeared to launch successfully, at the time of writing there had been no word as to when and how the magazine would actually appear. However from a design point of view the branding has all the signs of a potential success. Playing into a myriad of recent design trends the logotype features a heavy, italicised sans-serif typeface marked by an imposing full stop (picture). The logo as it appears on social media implements a contrast between black lettering and a background colour not too dissimilar to ‘millennial pink’, although this has been reworked slightly to reflect a more flesh-like hue in order to retain some originality. Variations of the logo used across social media banners feature a range of pastel tones in blue, green and purple, all of which were listed as some of the most popular colours amongst the online generation in 2016-2017.
The name itself appears to show a surface-level awareness of issues relating to gender and identity, which initially caused much excitement within queer circles. However there has also been much opposition to a name that can create such a clear sense of division and exclusion between the queer and straight communities - us vs. them implies a fundamental difference between the two sides which simply does not exist and only serves to widen the gap between understanding and acceptance.
While social media sites appeared to launch successfully, at the time of writing there had been no word as to when and how the magazine would actually appear. However from a design point of view the branding has all the signs of a potential success. Playing into a myriad of recent design trends the logotype features a heavy, italicised sans-serif typeface marked by an imposing full stop (picture). The logo as it appears on social media implements a contrast between black lettering and a background colour not too dissimilar to ‘millennial pink’, although this has been reworked slightly to reflect a more flesh-like hue in order to retain some originality. Variations of the logo used across social media banners feature a range of pastel tones in blue, green and purple, all of which were listed as some of the most popular colours amongst the online generation in 2016-2017.
The name itself appears to show a surface-level awareness of issues relating to gender and identity, which initially caused much excitement within queer circles. However there has also been much opposition to a name that can create such a clear sense of division and exclusion between the queer and straight communities - us vs. them implies a fundamental difference between the two sides which simply does not exist and only serves to widen the gap between understanding and acceptance.
Despite this the branding is clear and effective in its appeal to a young and socially aware generation, and has gained the platform a combined audience of nearly 60,000 over their social media sites alone.
Considering that the venture has yet to fully emerge in both of its physical and digital manifestations, the platform has already been through a significant rebrand. The current logo was introduced to social media sites on 20 October 2017, replacing the original logo just two weeks after the initial launch of the platform. What is perhaps most interesting is that the contrast between the original logo and the current iteration is markedly different. Although the colour scheme appears to have remained the same, the original logo consisted of a formal serif typeface which is more akin to independent publications such as Riposte and Hello Mr. (pictures), magazines that typically entertain an older, more mature audience. Allowing greater accessibility to a younger generation through rebranding therefore may have been an astute decision. Their original manifesto highlighted the importance of celebrating and encouraging the future of the queer community, and branding themselves within a niche market of young queer audiences that are in dire need of an outlet should, in theory, ultimately provide a greater success for the platform.
Examining the success of Them. through its branding alone can only provide an incomplete and uncertain evaluation of its future, but it cannot be denied that investing in marginalised queer voices is a significant step for a company as large and as influential as Condé Nast, and should serve as an example to the rest of the publishing world. However it remains to be seen whether Condé Nast are willing to contribute to solving the deeper problems faced by the queer community or whether this venture is purely for commercial gain and improving the reputation and gains of the company.
Considering that the venture has yet to fully emerge in both of its physical and digital manifestations, the platform has already been through a significant rebrand. The current logo was introduced to social media sites on 20 October 2017, replacing the original logo just two weeks after the initial launch of the platform. What is perhaps most interesting is that the contrast between the original logo and the current iteration is markedly different. Although the colour scheme appears to have remained the same, the original logo consisted of a formal serif typeface which is more akin to independent publications such as Riposte and Hello Mr. (pictures), magazines that typically entertain an older, more mature audience. Allowing greater accessibility to a younger generation through rebranding therefore may have been an astute decision. Their original manifesto highlighted the importance of celebrating and encouraging the future of the queer community, and branding themselves within a niche market of young queer audiences that are in dire need of an outlet should, in theory, ultimately provide a greater success for the platform.
Examining the success of Them. through its branding alone can only provide an incomplete and uncertain evaluation of its future, but it cannot be denied that investing in marginalised queer voices is a significant step for a company as large and as influential as Condé Nast, and should serve as an example to the rest of the publishing world. However it remains to be seen whether Condé Nast are willing to contribute to solving the deeper problems faced by the queer community or whether this venture is purely for commercial gain and improving the reputation and gains of the company.
Friday, November 24, 2017
OUGD601 - Extended Essay Research - Them.
Them. is a new platform launched by Condé Nast on 4 October 2017 that promises content for and by LGBT and gender non-conforming individuals, focusing on political and social issues as well as fashion and entertainment. The platform will consist of both a printed magazine and social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter). It is interesting that this venture has chosen to construct an online presence before a physical one. At the time of writing there have been no indications of if and when the printed magazine will make its debut.
Amid the release of Them. Condé Nast revealed that they would be ceasing production on the print editions of Teen Vogue, one of their most successful magazines to date, due both to budget cuts and a favouring of the use of digital platforms to connect with a digital generation. The timing of this decision is note worthy as in the last few years Teen Vogue changed creative directors and made a remarkable shift to focus more on social and political stories relevant to its younger audience, as well as providing a greater voice to individuals of all colours and genders. Teen Vogue had evolved dramatically to represent many of the ideals laid out in the manifesto for the Them. platform, so it would perhaps seem counter productive to axe an already successful platform in favour of generating a new one without the promise of success. This leads to the conclusion that perhaps we won't see a printed magazine after all.
The existing branding for Them. will be analysed as part of the extended essay. Initial observations reveal that the platform went through a significant rebrand just two weeks after its initial launch in order to attract a younger audience. The printed magazine will perhaps aim to sit amongst other high-end low-budget lifestyle magazines, including the likes of Riposte, The Gentlewoman and Hello Mr.
Friday, November 17, 2017
OUGD601 - Context of Practice Tutorial 2
During the second feedback session the plan for the essay was examined and evaluated. It was discussed that although there were many examples of publications identified that could be used as case studies it is important to ensure that each case study remains relevant to the original questions. It is also important to fully research design theory and integrate it into the evaluation of these case studies in order to ground the main ideas explored within the essay in relevant context.
For the next tutorial session it was agreed that research would have again continued and writing would have started on one of the chapters.
For the next tutorial session it was agreed that research would have again continued and writing would have started on one of the chapters.
Monday, November 13, 2017
OUGD601 - Essay Plan
Having decided on the major themes of my essay a formal essay plan was drawn up. This would ensure that the essay would remain well-structured throughout and that any gaps in theory and research could be identified and the problem rectified.
Chapter 1: Introduction (400 words)
What does queer encompass?
How do you measure success? (scale of production, scale of distribution, scale of message, scale of changes they make)
Publishing can mean both commercial and funded and also DIY
Can graphic design be linked to the success of these publications
I will look at queer publications, their history and their present status, as well as looking to the future to see where
Chapter 2: Main Body 1 Context and Themes and Case Studies of Practice (3, 500 words)
Zines:
‘The medium is the message’ - Marshal McLuhan (Power To The People pg. 6)
Sapphic
Queer Zines by Printed Matter
Chapess
Leste
Commercial Magazines:
New wave of commercial magazine that have started to include queer voices
Still a disproportionate amount of solely queer publications
Talk about where the majorities are - lots of high end gay male magazines: Gay Letter, Butt, but only zines for gay or bisexual women
Accessibility for different genders - talk to Kuba about publications they distribute and Hebe from Manchester lgbt zine library
I will analyse how they use aesthetic to validate themselves, and the problems that this causes, favouring aesthetic over function and purpose
Historical: design perhaps wasn't as considered
Archives:
What is the future of queer publications? Tied into the question of the future of all publications.
Publishing had it’s moment and then faded during the technological revolution.
Lesbian archives are often organised alphabetically by the authors first name because the surname was thought of as patriarchal as it often came from the father
Chapter 3: Main Body 3 Reflective Practice (700 words)
Conclude from the research a publications which can be considered unsuccessful because of the design, or perhaps how the design has influenced other factors that may have led to less success in terms of sale, distribution etc. Rebrand this example by applying modern graphic ideas to the design in order to increase the success of the magazine in the future/should it be relaunched.
Expand this into an archive? I’ve talked about how there are few physical archives of queer magazines (On Our Backs) and perhaps creating an archive or rebranding an existing one will ensure the future of present day queer mags.
Chapter 4: Conclusion (400 words)
What makes a successful queer publication?
What Is The Importance Of Graphic Design To The Success of Queer Publications?
Chapter 1: Introduction (400 words)
What does queer encompass?
How do you measure success? (scale of production, scale of distribution, scale of message, scale of changes they make)
Publishing can mean both commercial and funded and also DIY
Can graphic design be linked to the success of these publications
I will look at queer publications, their history and their present status, as well as looking to the future to see where
Chapter 2: Main Body 1 Context and Themes and Case Studies of Practice (3, 500 words)
Zines:
Examples:
Queer Zines by Printed Matter
Chapess
Leste
Commercial Magazines:
New wave of commercial magazine that have started to include queer voices
Still a disproportionate amount of solely queer publications
Talk about where the majorities are - lots of high end gay male magazines: Gay Letter, Butt, but only zines for gay or bisexual women
Accessibility for different genders - talk to Kuba about publications they distribute and Hebe from Manchester lgbt zine library
I will analyse how they use aesthetic to validate themselves, and the problems that this causes, favouring aesthetic over function and purpose
Historical: design perhaps wasn't as considered
e.g. On Our Backs, Amazon Quarterly
Contemporary: Design is incorporated to bridge the gap between DIY and commercial, weight of the publications has also increased, larger zines look more like anthologies or catalogues
Contemporary: Design is incorporated to bridge the gap between DIY and commercial, weight of the publications has also increased, larger zines look more like anthologies or catalogues
e.g. DIVA, Butt, Kutt, Girls Like Us, Dyke On, Them.
Archives:
What is the future of queer publications? Tied into the question of the future of all publications.
Publishing had it’s moment and then faded during the technological revolution.
Lesbian archives are often organised alphabetically by the authors first name because the surname was thought of as patriarchal as it often came from the father
Chapter 3: Main Body 3 Reflective Practice (700 words)
Conclude from the research a publications which can be considered unsuccessful because of the design, or perhaps how the design has influenced other factors that may have led to less success in terms of sale, distribution etc. Rebrand this example by applying modern graphic ideas to the design in order to increase the success of the magazine in the future/should it be relaunched.
Expand this into an archive? I’ve talked about how there are few physical archives of queer magazines (On Our Backs) and perhaps creating an archive or rebranding an existing one will ensure the future of present day queer mags.
What makes a successful queer publication?
Questioning the shift in platform
Zines originally existed because they had to, now it’s more of an aesthetic trend than a necessity
There’s no one straight path to creating the perfect queer publication. It depends on a myriad of factors, most of which are down to the decisions of straight people in a position of publishing power.
Zines encourage community because they are less designed and more accessible, however a well designed magazine and social media presence will create a larger community following by creating a consumable and desirable brand (which is why I did a rebrand for my project)
Do we need queer magazines now? It’s vital to be represented in every media sphere but queer people were kept quite long enough that we’ve taken to twitter and instagram now. Digital spheres have taken over the role of printed ones. An instagram has the same concept as a book - a collection of curated pictures and text bound together on the same platform.
Zines originally existed because they had to, now it’s more of an aesthetic trend than a necessity
There’s no one straight path to creating the perfect queer publication. It depends on a myriad of factors, most of which are down to the decisions of straight people in a position of publishing power.
Zines encourage community because they are less designed and more accessible, however a well designed magazine and social media presence will create a larger community following by creating a consumable and desirable brand (which is why I did a rebrand for my project)
Do we need queer magazines now? It’s vital to be represented in every media sphere but queer people were kept quite long enough that we’ve taken to twitter and instagram now. Digital spheres have taken over the role of printed ones. An instagram has the same concept as a book - a collection of curated pictures and text bound together on the same platform.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
OUGD601 - Dissertation Presentation
Presentation slides showing the general themes of the dissertation and the research question:
Starting from my chosen specialism in editorial and publication design,
my dissertation will be about design and publishing
Specifically I want to look at queer publishing and the role and importance of design within that
Within the full spectrum of magazines, books and printed journalism, only a very small proportion is devoted solely
to the voices of queer individuals (and an even smaller percentage of those actually get the content right). I want to examine the history, present and future of queer publications, from a design point of view. As part of this dissertation
I will explore zines and self-publishing as one of the main forms of queer publishing
And then as a counter I will also explore queer commercial publications
Sources that I have already looked at include...
I will analyse how they use aesthetic to validate themselves, and the problems that this causes,
favouring aesthetic over function and purpose
My essay question is:
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
OUGD601 - Context of Practice Tutorial 1
First meeting with Dominique in regards to my extended essay. The main topics for the essay were discussed and the initial title was analysed:
What Is the Importance of Graphic Design Within Queer Publishing?
It was suggested that although the question would already draw on quite specific research within publishing as a whole, it was still perhaps unclear as to what would be investigated in regards to the importance of design.
Questioning what research would be undertaken and what case studies might be analysed it became clear that a large focus of this essay would be whether or not certain queer publications were successful, and what part graphic design played in this success. With this suggestion the question was altered slightly to reflect a more direct investigation of the relevance of graphic design to this topic.
What Is the Importance of Graphic Design to the Success of Queer Publishing?
Initial research was also discussed and it was agreed that my previous visit to an archive of queer and women's publications was a good starting point for primary research. Drawing on personal existing knowledge of zines and self-publishing as a queer individual also provided a base for expanding secondary research into the zine phenomenon and the graphic design movements that arose from this.
It was agreed that for the next tutorial a full essay plan would be created and research into the main themes would be continued.
What Is the Importance of Graphic Design Within Queer Publishing?
It was suggested that although the question would already draw on quite specific research within publishing as a whole, it was still perhaps unclear as to what would be investigated in regards to the importance of design.
Questioning what research would be undertaken and what case studies might be analysed it became clear that a large focus of this essay would be whether or not certain queer publications were successful, and what part graphic design played in this success. With this suggestion the question was altered slightly to reflect a more direct investigation of the relevance of graphic design to this topic.
What Is the Importance of Graphic Design to the Success of Queer Publishing?
Initial research was also discussed and it was agreed that my previous visit to an archive of queer and women's publications was a good starting point for primary research. Drawing on personal existing knowledge of zines and self-publishing as a queer individual also provided a base for expanding secondary research into the zine phenomenon and the graphic design movements that arose from this.
It was agreed that for the next tutorial a full essay plan would be created and research into the main themes would be continued.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
OUGD601 - Practical Work - About Honey #1 Final Publication
Portfolio images of the completed publication. The magazine is packaged in a black plastic zip lock bag to simulate both the material of fetish latex and the heavy packaging that is often used for adult magazines.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
OUGD601 - Practical Work - About Honey #1 Print Production
The production of the publication will continue to draw from its queer zine heritage and so will be printed on a risograph printer. Risograph printing provides a unique print quality that is often associated with the zine community, but is also capable of producing high quality single or multi-colour prints. Economically, it is cheaper for small print runs than using a commercial print firm, and it is also one of the most environmentally friendly forms of commercial printing with a high print speed of 100 pages a minute.
The initial print run of About Honey issue 1 would be 300 copies and the magazine will be printed in black and red. Stock choice will be 80gsm recycled Evercopy Plus to further the environmental nature of the printing process. The publications will be bound with a saddle stitch so as to reflect the DIY binding of many of the zines created during the original movement. Due to a lack of personal access to a risograph machine it was arranged that the printing would be handled externally by Leeds-based risograph print studio Footprint.
The initial print run of About Honey issue 1 would be 300 copies and the magazine will be printed in black and red. Stock choice will be 80gsm recycled Evercopy Plus to further the environmental nature of the printing process. The publications will be bound with a saddle stitch so as to reflect the DIY binding of many of the zines created during the original movement. Due to a lack of personal access to a risograph machine it was arranged that the printing would be handled externally by Leeds-based risograph print studio Footprint.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
OUGD601 - Practical Work - About Honey #1 Internal Spreads
To create a balance between the commercial elements of the logo and the cover, the internal spreads take heavy inspiration from zine design. A wide selection of images were to be included in the publication, as well as short text paragraphs citing references for the images. The internal spreads display a busy feel, placing many images tightly together within the constraints of the page. This creates an obvious visual catalogue of material that is reminiscent of the DIY scrapbook aesthetic of many zines. It also creates the visual identity of an archive that had been lost but is now being pieced back together.
