(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
#175 Dtp:225 Page:96
092-109_28858.indd 96 8/30/12 4:45 PM
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
#175 Dtp:225 Page:97
092-109_28858.indd 97 8/30/12 4:45 PM
Writing & research for graphic designers
(Text)
96
How did you become an editor?
Truthfully, I realized I wasn’t a good enough designer or a dedicated enough
writer to make it in either of those areas alone, but I was pretty good at
them both. I had a decent sense of each discipline and the people who
worked in them, so editor of a design magazine turned out to be the perfect
job to combine my experience and skills in both areas.
What is the primary difference between editing in general and editing
for a design publication?
The design community (especially in New York) is a very particular,
passionate, and outspoken group, so to edit for them you really have
to possess a few key attributes: knowledge of the industry and the key
members; a point of view and opinion that you’re willing to stand behind;
and a willingness to take chances. Plus, of course, as a design magazine a
lot of what we feature is imagery, so sometimes we have to let the imagery
do the talking and edit out the text altogether. Knowing when and how to
do that is a challenge.
What do you look for in a writer: Good ideas? Good writing style?
First I look for someone who can approach an idea in a new way. There are
a lot of stories out there due to the constant media cycle we live in, but
that’s given over to a kind of accepted laziness that I think has tarnished
the journalism profession. Next I look for level of commitment and devotion
to researching a story that entails more than just a simple Google search.
Then I look at his or her reporting approach (are they talking to the right
people, are they staying on theme of both the story and the magazine, are
they organized, etc.). Then, and this is really important, can they deliver
on time? Someone who does all that gets hired.
Do you believe that a good editor can make a mediocre writer
much better?
Yes.
What qualities do you look for in a publishable article?
A unique angle on a topic goes a long way. Always I look for whether the
idea would interest me if I were a reader, which I am. And then I look at
writing skill. I also personally like a lot of quotes and sidebar type of info,
to give some personality and varying perspective to the piece. Hopefully
a reader will read every word of the article, but if they just skimmed and
looked at headlines, quotes, and captions they should still get more than
just a gist.
What don’t you want to see in a manuscript?
Laziness and sloppiness. Sparse or missing quotes. Overlooked or ignored
angles. Erroneous assumptions. Bad storytelling.
What makes you happy as an editor?
Clarity. Good storytelling. An effective combination of words and images
to create a satisfying story. And, of course, someone who can execute a pitch
effectively and on time.
What makes you frustrated?
I see mistakes or missed opportunities that we could have gotten right
the first time with enough time and focus. Or a really excited author who
pitches a great idea and then can’t deliver. That really drives me nuts.
When working with a new writer is there a process that’s different
from working with a more experienced one?
Often with new writers the biggest hurdle is just getting them familiar
with the tone of a publication. And that’s a very important role an editor
can play. Even with a very good writer, sometimes the angle or the mood
can take a while to get down (and sometimes the editors don’t even know
it themselves; then you have a big problem).
Former Editor-in-Chief, Print Magazine
Aaron Kenedi Talks about Editing a Design Magazine
Print, February 2012
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
09-C67944 #175 Dtp:225 Page:96
092-109_C67944.indd 96 9/22/12 11:26 AM
section 3
the editorial role how to edit and be edited
(Text)
97
Print, February 2012
There are a lot of stories out there due to the constant media cycle
we live in, but that’s given over to a kind of accepted laziness
that I think has tarnished the journalisim profession.
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
09-C67944 #175 Dtp:225 Page:97
092-109_C67944.indd 97 9/22/12 11:26 AM
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
#175 Dtp:225 Page:96
092-109_28858.indd 96 8/30/12 4:45 PM
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
#175 Dtp:225 Page:97
092-109_28858.indd 97 8/30/12 4:45 PM
Writing & research for graphic designers
(Text)
96
How did you become an editor?
Truthfully, I realized I wasn’t a good enough designer or a dedicated enough
writer to make it in either of those areas alone, but I was pretty good at
them both. I had a decent sense of each discipline and the people who
worked in them, so editor of a design magazine turned out to be the perfect
job to combine my experience and skills in both areas.
What is the primary difference between editing in general and editing
for a design publication?
The design community (especially in New York) is a very particular,
passionate, and outspoken group, so to edit for them you really have
to possess a few key attributes: knowledge of the industry and the key
members; a point of view and opinion that you’re willing to stand behind;
and a willingness to take chances. Plus, of course, as a design magazine a
lot of what we feature is imagery, so sometimes we have to let the imagery
do the talking and edit out the text altogether. Knowing when and how to
do that is a challenge.
What do you look for in a writer: Good ideas? Good writing style?
First I look for someone who can approach an idea in a new way. There are
a lot of stories out there due to the constant media cycle we live in, but
that’s given over to a kind of accepted laziness that I think has tarnished
the journalism profession. Next I look for level of commitment and devotion
to researching a story that entails more than just a simple Google search.
Then I look at his or her reporting approach (are they talking to the right
people, are they staying on theme of both the story and the magazine, are
they organized, etc.). Then, and this is really important, can they deliver
on time? Someone who does all that gets hired.
Do you believe that a good editor can make a mediocre writer
much better?
Yes.
What qualities do you look for in a publishable article?
A unique angle on a topic goes a long way. Always I look for whether the
idea would interest me if I were a reader, which I am. And then I look at
writing skill. I also personally like a lot of quotes and sidebar type of info,
to give some personality and varying perspective to the piece. Hopefully
a reader will read every word of the article, but if they just skimmed and
looked at headlines, quotes, and captions they should still get more than
just a gist.
What don’t you want to see in a manuscript?
Laziness and sloppiness. Sparse or missing quotes. Overlooked or ignored
angles. Erroneous assumptions. Bad storytelling.
What makes you happy as an editor?
Clarity. Good storytelling. An effective combination of words and images
to create a satisfying story. And, of course, someone who can execute a pitch
effectively and on time.
What makes you frustrated?
I see mistakes or missed opportunities that we could have gotten right
the first time with enough time and focus. Or a really excited author who
pitches a great idea and then can’t deliver. That really drives me nuts.
When working with a new writer is there a process that’s different
from working with a more experienced one?
Often with new writers the biggest hurdle is just getting them familiar
with the tone of a publication. And that’s a very important role an editor
can play. Even with a very good writer, sometimes the angle or the mood
can take a while to get down (and sometimes the editors don’t even know
it themselves; then you have a big problem).
Former Editor-in-Chief, Print Magazine
Aaron Kenedi Talks about Editing a Design Magazine
Print, February 2012
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
09-C67944 #175 Dtp:225 Page:96
092-109_C67944.indd 96 9/22/12 11:26 AM
section 3
the editorial role how to edit and be edited
(Text)
97
Print, February 2012
There are a lot of stories out there due to the constant media cycle
we live in, but that’s given over to a kind of accepted laziness
that I think has tarnished the journalisim profession.
(Ray)
(Fogra 29_WF)Job:08-28858 Title:RP-Writing & Research for Graphic Designers
09-C67944 #175 Dtp:225 Page:97
092-109_C67944.indd 97 9/22/12 11:26 AM
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.