Colophon

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48 hours to make, 6 months to print

September 23, 2009 in Colophon, New launches | 1 comment

cover

When we were planning Colophon2009, we had the idea of using the assembled talent to make a magazine during the event, and then we would present the finished product (on screen at least) at the closing of the weekend.

It all sounded so simple. In the end, it actually happened – though not without some amazing feats of commissioning and editing from Kati, and remarkable, high-stress art direction from Guido and his team at INgrid, and lots of spontaneous contributions from everybody there. 108 pages, filled with top mag-related content.

And you know what? Despite everything, it’s actually a rather good read, featuring such delights as an interview with Simon Esterson by the Creative Director and Ed in Chief of Good magazine, summaries of the various talks and inspirations at the event, a drunken haze-filled account of the parties by Postr, a selection of the dogs of Luxembourg by Karen, golden rules of distribution/advertising/digital magazines/client publishing, and an imaginary interview with Jeremy Leslie written by me (and then corrected by Jeremy). 81 people contributed in the end – a small proportion of the few thousand there, but a hell of a team to co-ordinate.

We could have sent it to print there and then, but we decided to wait, in order to take much-needed holidays, to make sure that nothing too libellous had slipped through the caffeine-fuelled net, to tidy up a few scrappy edges, and to get some advertising sponsorship to pay for the whole thing.

And so, at last, the Colophon2009 magazine will be unveiled this afternoon at MUDAM in Luxembourg, and then again to help celebrate everyone’s favourite Amsterdam magazine store, the Athenaeum’s 40th birthday on Saturday.

Flash Pass holders from Colophon2009 will hear news soon about how they’ll get their copies; in the meantime, a digital edition will be made available later on today or tomorrow, and it’ll also be on sale via the shiny new Colophon website. Pictures below. In the meantime, if you’re interested in a copy, email me at colophonmag@losowsky.com and we’ll drop you a line when it’s ready.

What fun. Same again in 2011, anyone?

UPDATE: here is the online version, in all its glory

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Tonight! With added special guest

July 8, 2009 in Colophon, USA | No comments

memagazine

Don’t forget, NYCers, tonight Colophon hits New York City, with a discussion event at the Art Directors Club, 106 West 29th Street. ($5 for ADC members, free for non-members.) Click here for more information.

And we have an additional special guest to add to the program (which already includes top names from Print, Capricious and Woooooo!): Claudia Wu from Me magazine.

A fascinating project, each issue of Me is edited and art directed by an invited guest, with the only condition being that it be about their daily lives, social groups and habits. Read more about Me here.

Come along and learn more at tonight’s independent magstravaganza. See you there.

Colophon hits New York!

June 30, 2009 in Colophon, USA | 4 comments


Following on from the successful London event chaired by Jeremy, I’m getting the USA into the act with an evening modestly entitled ‘The Future of Print’, discussing independent magazines and celebrating the US release of We Make Magazines.

It takes place next Wednesday, 8th July at the Art Directors Club in New York. Come along, do!

Click ‘Continue reading’ for the full info and the press release.
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Object lessons

May 15, 2009 in Clever ideas, Colophon, Personal promotion, Trend | No comments

tattomag

I’ve been travelling and working in various parts, hence the radio silence, and there’s more to be done before it’s over. Fear not, however: I’m planning a whole bundle of mag-themed updates for later on in the summer, which I rather suspect you’re going to enjoy.

Meantime, if you’re hungry for your Magtastic fix, in today’s Wall Street Journal Europe, I have two pieces about magazines: Reinventing the Magazine and an interview with the tattooed magazine himself, Marc Strömberg. You can also go to YouTube and see me as presenter on ColophonTV.

And finally, for London-based readers, my new book has just been adapted into a play by Vivid Dreams Productions, combining images and text in a particularly interesting way. It opened early this week, and is on in North London for another two weeks. Tickets are a recession-friendly ten pounds. There’s more information here; I’ll be there on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, so do come by and say hello.

We Love Athenaeum

April 4, 2009 in Colophon, Personal promotion | No comments

makemagazines1

The doyenne of Dutch magazine shops Athenaeum, located on the Spui in Amsterdam, currently has a rather lovely window display featuring pages from We Make Magazines. Dank u wel!

News from the Magosphere 1st April 2009

April 1, 2009 in Clever ideas, Colophon, Magazine covers, New launches, News round-up, Personal promotion, Trend, USA, interview, technology | 1 comment

edge200

Rather a lot to catch up on…

Wired UK launches today
The general view seems to be “better than expected, but good luck in this climate”. My friend and erstwhile colleague Hammersley puts it in his own inimitable style: “You might not like it, and that’s fine with us, but you will have to admit that it’s good. In any case, we’re not producing a mediocre magazine for the general reader. We’re making something great specifically for the Wired audience. As David Simon once said, ‘fuck the average viewer.’” (Disclaimer: I have a small piece in issue two). Speaking of tech…

Magazine to feature RFID chip
In fact, a Ztamp, to place on your Mir:ror. It’s from the makers of the rather cute “it’ll read your email while you’re sleeping” Nabaztag. I’d expect Spektacle to watch this intently, as it’s the kind of thing they’d do. What’s also interesting is the mag itself – I have the current issue of Amusement next to me now, that I’ve been meaning to review on here for yonks. It’s rather good. Speaking of video game magazines…

Edge celebrates 200th issue with 200 covers
All polywrapped in a bag with an image of issue one on it. See all the covers full size here

Little White Lies tries digital
Now non-UK viewers can enjoy its graphic monothemed loveliness

Conde Nast switches to digital flowers
Because physical objects are no longer symbolically important at CN Towers. Wait a minute, what’s the date on that piece again? While we’re on the subject…

As good an excuse as any to visit Sans Seriffe
There’s no Fool like an old Fool

The Folio 40 is unveiled
Worthwhile reading featuring movers, shakers, innovators and a blogger. Maybe next year

How Esquire tore strips off its cover stars
Compare with this month’s Flaunt (click here) who had a far lower-tech solution. That’s a real rip they’ve put in – each issue’s is slightly different, a rather brilliant way to both save money and still keep up their reputation for distinctive covers. I wonder if they perforated it slightly at the factory, or just had a line of rippers? And what did they do with all the bottom halves?

A new men’s “style bible” just launched
The preview pics look to me rather like the revived Man About Town with all the words cut out

Colophon interview with KasinoA4
“I bet our magazine would look a lot different if we were based in Miami”. Also reveals previously unnoticed nod to 1970s Playboy. Speaking of whom…

KasinoA4 releases wearable magazine rack
Is it just me, or is this “KasinoA4 X Designer” actually a subtle Monocle pisstake?

Last week’s Economist cover – explained
It made much more sense in the original. They’ve also started to release their magazine audibly – will Economist Radio follow?

Editor blames plagiarism on staff shortages
And thinking shortages

Why our books are the future of fashion photography
Which is nice. Goes on a bit though

And finally… some more Colophon links…

We love you too, Slanted
Patrick’s snaps
The official photographer
Stylink reports (kind of)
Stereo loves Karen

Paper weight

March 20, 2009 in Colophon | 7 comments

Luggage on arrival in Luxembourg: 11 kilos. Luggage on departure from Luxembourg: 39 kilos, plus a back-breaking carry on. I think that qualifies as a successful event.

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