Part 2 – Where do I start?

In Part 1 we covered when the time is right to consider a magazine redesign. In this post, let’s explore how to get started. The key is a careful collaborative partner – one who will ask the right questions and facilitate a process to define and reach your publication’s goals.

• Review – Schedule enough time for a thorough and thoughtful audit and critique of your existing publication. Review what aspects of your magazine really work well, and which ones require a tune-up or even possible elimination. Consider what new features might enhance your readers’ experience and potentially grow your audience.

• Plan for Evolution – Consider how your magazine might change over the next several years. Does your publication have a digital edition? Will you require an app or a web-based platform? Anticipating these issues will allow you to design a magazine brand that can transition well as publishing technologies evolve.

• Refine and define – With the knowledge you’ve gathered, refine your vision and define your goals. Be precise while outlining the specifications but allow space for your design team to explore creative solutions while meeting your expectations. Remember, the better a problem is defined, the clearer the solutions become.

• Consult the experts – Engaging the right creative team with a range of magazine and publication experience is key to a successful outcome. Whether you’re launching a new magazine or bringing a successful existing brand up-to-date, a knowledgeable collaborative partner can guide the process and advise on best practices.

At Dever Designs we work closely with clients, guiding them through a facilitated process to analyze, define, and deliver superior publications. From turn-key magazines, to templates and style guides for in-house design teams, we have the expertise to take your publication to the next level. Get in touch to start the conversation.

Part 1 – When’s the right time?

For most associations, a print magazine remains the number one member benefit, especially when supplemented with additional online content. The decision to redesign your magazine is one that demands careful consideration, given the investment of time, effort and resources required to do it right. But how do you know when the time is right?

• When you look old – While the typical life-cycle of a trade publication may be from 3 – 10 years, you know when the look, feel, and function of your magazine feels antiquated.
• When you’re out of sync – Communicating, surveying and keeping your finger on the pulse of your readership will keep you informed. When you no longer resonate with your primary audience demographic, or can’t reach new potential subscribers, you’re overdue.
• When you’ve evolved – If your organization or publication has gone through significant editorial, functional, or structural changes, your magazine can lead the way to educate and inform your audience on how they will benefit. A redesign can create a focal point for signaling that evolution and increasing consumer “buy in”.
• When you rebrand – In a marketplace where organizations merge or form new collaborative partnerships, a rebranded publication can clarify and crystalize new opportunities created by such joint ventures. A rebrand can also do an excellent job of repositioning an organization that needs to distance itself from an unfortunate history.

In Part 2, we’ll explore how you start the redesign process.

At Dever Designs we work closely with clients, guiding them through a facilitated process to analyze, define and deliver superior publications. From turn-key magazines, to templates and style guides for in-house design teams, we have the expertise to take your publication to the next level. Get in touch to start the conversation.