Standout Issue: Jan. 2012

At the end of each month, I like to pick my favorite magazine. Yes, I know numerous publications (including my favorite, Rolling Stone) publish biweekly. That just gives them more opportunities to entice me.

I evaluate the following subjects:

• Centerpiece subject and narrative: Interesting? Relevant/timely?
• Design (with respect to centerpiece’s rigidness): Do the colors add or detract to the cover’s composition? To the composition of the issue? How innovative is the cover placement?
• Beyond the cover

And the winner for Jan. 2012 is… New York magazine!

I didn’t want to pick one of my favorite magazines the first time out. Originally, the choice was Jan. 19, 2012  Rolling Stone featuring The Black Keys. I’m a sucker for a red masthead on a black-and-white photograph.

After reading so many issues for the last week or two, the articles and art in New York magazine are just too awesome not to choose as superior.

Centerpiece subject and narrative

“Workplace Confidential” is the exact kind of unabashed storytelling I love to read in magazines! There are more politically correct careers profiled, such as a fireman (who is disillusioned by 9/11) and the Mets player who blames the franchise owners.

Then there are more intriguing profiles (albeit shorter) of prominent New York City landmarks from behind the scenes

Here’s what a New York Times reporter has observed of Jill Abramson, executive editor of the Times:

Her biggest moves so far have been installing Sam Sifton as national editor and David Leonhardt as Washington-bureau chief. They both represent her vision for the paper: They’re brainy, know both high and low culture, and are charismatic, but maybe without the deep reporting credentials and pedigree that you used to see. They’re not former foreign correspondents or war correspondents. You used to have to go to Warsaw and ­Johannesburg to become executive editor.

Apparently, the Times are a-changin’.

This centerpiece represents a journalistic faux pas. Confidential sources mean risk taking, mean trusting ordinary people to tell you big stories (but not have their own name attached to that story).

Instead, this article, takes little stories that normally do not get told and lets them shine.

Design

I am a big fan of simplicity when it comes to design. Look at this blog! Lots of white and black with just splashes of color. I’m not the biggest fan of the yellow used for “Top Hollywood agent” on the cover story. What are your thoughts on the cover?

Internally, I loved the layout of the feature of Damien Hirst, the English artist and entrepreneur.

The layout of the timeline gives my eyes a break. New York magazine can be very text heavy when they want to be. The timeline also gives me an easy way to learn about Hirst. I had never heard of him before this feature, but after glancing through the graphic, I know he met his lady love (Maia Norman) in 1990, his first son, Connor, was born in 1995 and his won the Turner Prize that same year.

When explaining someone like Hirst who may not be familiar to all readers, it is critical to draw them in with the innovative use of graphics. This graphic reflects Hirst’s artistic style as well making that much more enjoyable.

And ultimately? Do I want to read beyond the cover story?

Yes, I do. This double issue flows well. For example, the Hirst feature moves right into a profile of Glenn Close, a star not typically in the news. Short and to the point, this feature’s layout is in black and white — a stark contrast to the articles before and after. This issue of New York magazine draws me in because it is constantly switching between black and white and color. The design keeps you intrigued throughout.

I’ve told you why I liked New York magazine. 

What is your favorite issue from new year? Did you like the newest Cosmopolitan featuring Dakota Fanning or Phoenix magazine’s January dining guide? Comment, I want to know why!

Caitlin

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