September 2009 Archives

Vocab Lesson 4: Rules

Vocab Lesson 4: Rules

No, we're not talking about what you were trying to escape as a kid or the seemingly-arbitrary rules your professors make you follow ... we're talking about lines. Yes, lines are more than just lines. Learn more after the jump.

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Smart Quote #3: Fear is Good

It's important to feel confident so that you are willing to take risks, but don't get too comfortable even though you are longing to be. Fear is often a good catalyst.
--Debra Bishop, creative director of More

That quote comes in response to the question: "What is the key to producing constant, memorable work over a number of years?" We put that question to her and many others in our book Solid Gold: 40 Years of Award-WInning Magazine Design which you can buy directly from us or other sources of course.

"Smart Quote" is a recurring feature on the SPD Student Blog ... look for more wise words every Monday. Got an inspiring or motivating quote to share? Email us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com.

Pub(lications) Crawled.

A lucky bunch got to see first-hand how art directors and designers work in our Pub(lications) Crawl event yesterday. Didn't get to go? Never fear, we're doing it again in the spring. In fact, it'll be a whole new group of publications, so even if you DID go yesterday, you can do it again.

Some pix from our SpotCo/Complex tour after the jump...
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Vocab Lesson 3: F.O.B., B.O.B. and the WELL

Vocab Lesson 3: F.O.B., B.O.B. and the WELL

If you spend enough time around magazine staffers (and if you're attending tomorrow's Pub Crawl event), you're likely to hear the terms F.O.B. and B.O.B. and the well. No, these aren't variations on a common curse phrase... these are real terms that you need to know. Instead of pretending you're in on the game, learn what they really mean after the jump...… MORE
Recommended Reading: Pub Crawl Fall 09 Edition

Recommended Reading: Pub Crawl Fall 09 Edition

Our Pub Crawl event registration is officially closed ... if you're lucky enough to attend, don't forget to check out these links about some of the mags we'll be touring, so you'll be better prepared with questions to ask on Thursday.

Even if you're not coming, there's a whole bunch of info out there (like these links) that will take you into-the-trenches of magazine design and creation...

+ Illustrator Alex Nabaum walks us through his process of creating an illustration for ESPN magazine (the end result shown above).

+ In an older -- but still insightful -- interview, Susan Isaak, a former photo editor at SELF magazine, talks about the photography at SELF.

+ See the work and process of W magazine in videos featuring Design Director Edward Leida's work as well as Art Director Nathalie Kirsheh's here, here and here.

+ Speaking of W, check out this interview with their photo research editor Kathryn Hurni that we mentioned in yesterday's Smart Quote post.

+ And hopefully you already checked out our post about Complex magazine's recent cover story and our post about the process Gail Anderson and SpotCo go through for their Broadway show campaigns.

Pub Crawl Registration Closed

Registration for Thursday's Pub(lications) Crawl has officially closed as of midnight. If you RSVPed in time, look for an email from us soon with all the location details and last-minute specifics. If you did not RSVP in time, don't worry ... we hold Pub Crawls every fall and spring.
Pub Crawl Update: TOUR A IS FULL

Pub Crawl Update: TOUR A IS FULL

Tour A of our Pub Crawl event this Thursday is officially full, but we have plenty of space in Tour B (Inc. and W magazines) and Tour C (SELF and ESPN magazines). Remember, the RSVP deadline is midnight TONIGHT! Sign up now ... all the details here.

Smart Quote #2: Internships Work

"If you want to be involved in the magazine industry in any capacity, whether it be photo research, fashion or editorial, start interning while in college! Take it seriously. An internship isn't a full-time job, but it is a very good way of setting a foundation. If you are a hard worker and approach your internship in a professional manner, people will see that and be more willing to hire you rather than sift through a stack of résumés."
--Kathryn Hurni, Photo Research Editor, W magazine, as quoted in a December 2008 PDN.edu interview

That's what Kathryn Hurni of W magazine says when asked for advice for aspiring photo editors in this interview with her and Mardi Miski, photo assistant at Teen Vogue. Don't forget to sign up by midnight tonight for Thurdsay's Pub Crawl if you want to hear more from Kathryn and the rest of the W magazine staff about how the magazine comes together and what you can do to get a job like theirs.

"Smart Quote" is a recurring feature on the SPD Student Blog... look for more wise words every Monday. Got an inspiring or motivating quote to share? Email us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com.

Pub Crawl Profile: Tour C

Pub Crawl Profile: Tour C

THIS Thursday, September 24th is our fall Pub(lications) Crawl event, giving you insider access to some of the top magazines and design firms in the city. Spots are still available in each of the 3 tour groups, but the registration deadline is midnight Monday, so RSVP now! Click here for all the details.

Tour C of our Pub Crawl features SELF and ESPN magazines. Learn more about them after the jump...
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Pub Crawl Profile: Tour B

Pub Crawl Profile: Tour B

Next Thursday, September 24th is our fall Pub(lications) Crawl event, giving you insider access to some of the top magazines and design firms in the city. Spots are still available in each of the 3 tour groups, but space is filling up fast, so RSVP now! Click here for all the details.

Tour B of our Pub Crawl features Inc. and W magazines. Learn more about them after the jump...

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Vocab Lesson 2: SPINE

Vocab Lesson 2: SPINE

Over on our "Grids" blog on the homepage of www.SPD.org, Josh Klenert wrote a post about GQ magazine's recent attention to detail. The photo he posted is shown here (but feel free to check out his post here). So, aside from Michael Jackson, what is that a picture of? Think you know? Find out for sure after the jump.
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Pub Crawl Profile: Tour A

Pub Crawl Profile: Tour A

Thursday, September 24th is our fall Pub(lications) Crawl event, giving you insider access to some of the top magazines and design firms in the city. Spots are still available in each of the 3 tour groups, but space is filling up fast, so RSVP now! Click here for all the details.

Tour A of our Pub Crawl features the design firm SpotCo and the magazine Complex. Learn more about them after the jump...
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Smart Quote #1: Join the Community

Learn from colleagues: Belong to professional associations; enter contests; read FOLIO: and attend conventions. --Ruth Thaler-Carter, as quoted in the fall 2008 issue of FPO Magazine

Ruth Thaler-Carter may be a writer and not a designer, but that's good advice for any field. Here's our two cents to make it a little more designer-friendly...

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Fall Pub(lications) Crawl: Thursday, Sept. 24th

Fall Pub(lications) Crawl: Thursday, Sept. 24th

Our Pub(lications) Crawl is a day-long event where you'll get to tour the offices of 2 awesome magazines and/or design firms. We've got Complex, Inc., W, Self and ESPN magazines as well as the design firm SpotCo all ready to give you behind-the-scenes access. Come armed with your curiosity and questions, but leave the portfolios at home, please. Space is very limited, so RSVP to reserve your spot now. All the details (and registration) after the jump...

****UPDATE: Registration is officially closed.****
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Vocab Lesson 1: SMART QUOTES

Vocab Lesson 1: SMART QUOTES

As our first Vocab Lesson of the fall semester, we're going to make sure you know the meaning of "smart quotes." They are one of those things that can scream "amateur!" no matter how good a designer you are. Plus it's a term we use a lot here (you'll see soon enough). And in order for you to truly appreciate how witty we are, you gotta know what it means. So...


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It's That Time of Year Again

It's That Time of Year Again

All those nice new binders and folders and pretty Prismacolor sets make us excited for the new school year, but if you're like us, that excitement wears off pretty fast as the assignments pile up. Well, we're here to help that enthusiasm last as long as it can.

We've got more of our usual great events (if we do say so ourselves) planned for the fall -- like our Pub(lications) Crawl on Sept. 24 -- and we've even got some new things cooking, so be sure to keep checking in with us. In fact, we're adding more posts more regularly this fall, so there's even more reason to come back and visit.

In the meantime, if you're looking for inspiration for some of those first projects, make sure you check out our design annuals ... that's the cover of #40 up there. You can find this one and many others at Barnes & Noble as well as other bookstores with decent design selections. Hopefully you can even find them in your school library. But if you want one of your own, we're selling some recent ones at pretty awesome discounts (some are only $15!), click here to find out more.

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