2012/2013: Print Discussion!

Seren_

Bump!

Don't know why there was never a thread/discussion about last year's paper. Anyway, the first of this year's is out. Back to a magazine format. Also full of memes/internet humour. Haven't had a chance to properly look through it/read articles, but there seems to be some good ones in the social justice section. Opinions?

Paczini

To be honest i find this years version very amusing plenty of good articles. I love the craic section!

Daemos

It was very good - but my God I lost count of the number of grammar mistakes :eek: There was even one page dated last January, Vol 3, Issue 7

I may even submit an article about it for the next issue

Paczini

Daemos wrote: »

There was even one page dated last January, Vol 3, Issue 7

I didnt see it before now :P

Leptons

Hey, guys. I thought it would be a good idea to start up a new thread for discussing all things Print related. I know that Seren bumped an old thread from several years ago on the same topic, but I thought a fresh start would be welcome.

I'll start the ball rolling by saying that the new magizine format is an interesting change from last years broadsheet style. I'm not sure which I prefer, so I''m keeping an open mind. IMO, the social justice section was the best, simply because it was far less superficial than the other sections. Which leads me to say that a wider variety of articles are needed to prevent this years Print from becoming stale fast.

So, what does anyone else think? Do you like the new format? What was your favourite section/article?

How so Joe

I quite liked the bit about the crows.
It's true, they are evil.
They looked at me last week, and my heart cried.

Also, one of the pages is dated 31 January. That's nice.

mickstupp

I didn't even notice it was around. But then I was looking out for the old format, which I now learn has been changed.

Seren_

Yeah, having a new thread is a good idea.

I think the best thing people can do is get involved and write articles (if you've the time/inclination to do so). Having an active writing staff is what made the paper last year I think. IMO this year's first issue was pretty poor, both in content and layout wise. Very Spoke-esque, but thankfully some of the more decent articles save it from reaching those heady lows.

I did love the procrastination section though Having Steve Fleming as a crossword clue made me lol, and the doodle space.

MalCallan

Hello everyone,
I'm not a boardie really but from looking at the print forum from two years ago I noticed rob had a pretty regular presence so I thought poking my nose in here couldn't hurt. I'd like to explain a few things which led to the print being the way it was.

Firstly, as regards the format. I wanted to maintain the broadsheet print, I was told up until the day of that print that I could print that amount of colour on broadsheet but as it turned out, the ink leaked and made the writing illegible. The only solution was to bring it back to the glossy magazine format, which I know will muster up uncomfortable memories of the spoke for some of you. As we only have a weeks deadline until the next issue the format won't be changing but after that I will consider the next step.

Content wise, I was never formally trained in indesign, and with a deadline approaching I devoted most of my time admittedly to achieving what it is now. The news section suffered because I wanted to breakaway from the type of journalism that occurred last year. Where almost nothing published was relevant to Maynooth students or students in general. There simply wasn't enough of interest to talk about. I would really appreciate advice on where to go from here because it's not going to work as it stands. The craic section is pretty dear to me though, and it's the one i've gotten the best feedback from so It'll be staying put.

I think I'll put it up on the MSU page whether students want to continue the Glossy format or go back to broadsheet. You're losing out on a substantial amount of colour and durability with the broadsheet format. Alongside that, people are more inclined to pick up something that striking as is evidenced by their being no prints left. The broadsheet does exude an air of professionalism but it's colder and limits the design possibilities.

Please give me feedback. I'm very much a headless chicken with this. Also, section Ideas and anything else you think might raise this from being another irrelevant college publication.

Apologies for ranting. Mal

Seren_

Thanks for posting Mal. Seeing as I'm pretty much the only one who was negative (:o) I'll give you some feedback.

The main design problem I had was that some of the text was unreadable, especially in the Craic section due to the font/font size used. So if that one little thing was changed it would probably help a lot. Having a colourful magazine is a good way to get people to pick it up and have a look, so I'm not saying at all that you should change it if it's doing well after the first few issues if you feel it's working well. You can totally have a magazine and not have it be the Spoke.

I know a lot of people didn't like how the news section in the paper last year wasn't really Maynooth-focused, so you're making a good decision there. Having a facebook group for the contributors to post in and regular meetings were something I felt worked really, really well last year (from the point of view of a contributor anyway). Although you might well be already doing that There's loads of people who would love to help out; we've had a good few people on here asking how they can get involved in writing for it.

I think a review section always works well, even if you just limit it to one or two pages. And maybe a clubs and socs section too where event reviews and info about upcoming ones could be put? You could do something like having people go along to a different club and society meeting every issue (something that they've never been involved in) and review them from a total newbie point of view. Welfare stuff is always good for filling up pages too.

Proper editing of spelling and grammar is so important too. Find a few people who will do just that.

MalCallan

Seren, thank you for the feedback! Im not sure how to thank your post due to a lack of Boards/any forum experience im afraid but it is much appreciated!


I'm going to collect everyones email at this weeks contributor meeting and set up the facebook group. The text in this issue suffered mostly because it was shrunk un-naturally from a tabloid size to A4, when I heard that would happen I was ready to off myself but It turned out to be somewhat readable, even if it induces the odd bit of eyestrain!

I think your right about opening it up to more sections like the review page and the C & S section, hopefully this can be done without time proving too much of a bitch!

Also, proofing, I am a very bad proofer, I think I might stick someone a fiver to do it! I hear of a few people who won't miss an error so I might approach them and plead with them to offer up their gramatical prowess.

Thank you so much for responding so soon Seren, I'm in the midst of designing the Halloween issue so It's really helpful to hear this feedback so quick!

Thwip!

MalCallan wrote: »

Seren, thank you for the feedback! Im not sure how to thank your post due to a lack of Boards/any forum experience im afraid but it is much appreciated!


I'm going to collect everyones email at this weeks contributor meeting and set up the facebook group. The text in this issue suffered mostly because it was shrunk un-naturally from a tabloid size to A4, when I heard that would happen I was ready to off myself but It turned out to be somewhat readable, even if it induces the odd bit of eyestrain!

I think your right about opening it up to more sections like the review page and the C & S section, hopefully this can be done without time proving too much of a bitch!

Also, proofing, I am a very bad proofer, I think I might stick someone a fiver to do it! I hear of a few people who won't miss an error so I might approach them and plead with them to offer up their gramatical prowess.

Thank you so much for responding so soon Seren, I'm in the midst of designing the Halloween issue so It's really helpful to hear this feedback so quick!

A thumb sign will appear in the bottom right corner of each post that allows you to thank them. Although you need a specific post count first. I believe it's either 10 or 20

Seren_

MalCallan wrote: »

Seren, thank you for the feedback! Im not sure how to thank your post due to a lack of Boards/any forum experience im afraid but it is much appreciated!


I'm going to collect everyones email at this weeks contributor meeting and set up the facebook group. The text in this issue suffered mostly because it was shrunk un-naturally from a tabloid size to A4, when I heard that would happen I was ready to off myself but It turned out to be somewhat readable, even if it induces the odd bit of eyestrain!

I think your right about opening it up to more sections like the review page and the C & S section, hopefully this can be done without time proving too much of a bitch!

Also, proofing, I am a very bad proofer, I think I might stick someone a fiver to do it! I hear of a few people who won't miss an error so I might approach them and plead with them to offer up their gramatical prowess.

Thank you so much for responding so soon Seren, I'm in the midst of designing the Halloween issue so It's really helpful to hear this feedback so quick!

No worries! I'm happy it helped

For the clubs and socs section, maybe send out an email and ask the clubs/socs to submit something short about things that are going to be happening in the next month? All of them have PROs who should be able to get that in to you by the end of the week; that's one of the things they're there for! Or you could have an article about the new societies that have been set up this year (of which there seems to be loads). The Print used to be on the list for press screenings of films too last year, so if you check that out again you can have some of the reviews sorted. Try get interviews with bands based in Maynooth, they'd love the free promotion.

You're always welcome to post here if you want ideas/feedback/quotes for articles. God knows other journalists do it enough on boards :pac:

Eric Cartman

Havent seen this years one yet , but 'social justice section' ? Really , sounds very politically biased .