Mel Nichols the relationship between the editor and the art editor is the most important relationship in magazines

We were very lucky to receive a visit from Mel Nichols from Haymarket magazine yesterday at Uclan

Mel is editorial director of the magazine group responsible for the editorial direction, quality and development for all Haymarket Consumer Media magazines and websites.

He gave two talks to undergraduate and post graduate magazine students,one on magazine craft and one on the art of covers.

The first on magazine craft is a presentation that he gives to senior management across the Haymarket group.

Magazines

he reminds us

are a great format.If they weren’t around they would be invented next week

Yet one of the most important relationships on a magazine is between the design or art editor and the editor.The images and the layout are the way that the magazine is communicated to the reader.

He quipped that many designers are dyslexic.This gives them an advantage for their skills are visual and graphic.However they wont have read the story,therefore it is up to the writer to communicate his vision of the story to the designer.

He adds that the editor must learn the tricks of the trade such as lining up pictures,getting used to filling the line,sitting the content on a base line grid,allowing for the gutter,,lining up headlines,and the readability of type

One of the most difficult of tasks he maintained is the flat plan.There are certain rules to follow especially when it comes to positioning of adverts.

Put ads in places which seem logical to the reader and let them flow.But also bear in mind the advertisers reasoning that right sided adverts are more dominant.

But most of all always think visually.

One picture is worth a thousand words

To sum up according to Mel to make a good magazine you need to

1.Work together

2.think visually

3.Plan and have ideas

4,Produce thoughtful design that works and

5.think multi platform

Part 2 on cover design will follow