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Cat People, Riposte and Works that Work: the niche world of indie magazines Cat People, Riposte and Works that Work: the niche world of indie magazines
(about 2 hours later)
While mainstream magazines are seeing sales fall, and long-standing titles such as Loaded are printing their final issues, the world of niche, independent mags is going from strength to strength. Instead of trying to cater for as many people as possible, they take the opposite approach, targeting the most specific audiences they can find. There are titles to cater for every conceivable interest, from Gratuitous Type for typography nerds to Cherry Bombe for women who love food, Kindling for modern dads, and Cat People for creatives who really love cats.While mainstream magazines are seeing sales fall, and long-standing titles such as Loaded are printing their final issues, the world of niche, independent mags is going from strength to strength. Instead of trying to cater for as many people as possible, they take the opposite approach, targeting the most specific audiences they can find. There are titles to cater for every conceivable interest, from Gratuitous Type for typography nerds to Cherry Bombe for women who love food, Kindling for modern dads, and Cat People for creatives who really love cats.
Digital media, the supposed grim reaper of mainstream print has become the greatest ally of the indie world. From finding contributors, suppliers and readers, to putting an issue together, just about every aspect of getting a magazine in the hands of readers has been made easier by the internet. There’s something about the physical experience of reading a magazine that glass screens just can’t beat. And while the way we use printed magazines may change – nowadays it’s less about fast, cheap distribution of information and more about creating covetable, collectable, coffee-table-worthy objects – there will always be a role for them. It seems ringing the death knell is right up there with other silly claims such as: the record player will kill off live music, TV will destroy theatre or the telephone will end real-life meetings. New technology doesn’t have to mean the end of old technology. Sometimes it just means a new role. Except for the whole “robots killing off housework” claim. That one is going to happen. Any day now. What’s the source of print’s reprieve? For starters, dDigital media, the supposed grim reaper of mainstream print has become the greatest ally of the indie world. From finding contributors, suppliers and readers, to putting an issue together, just about every aspect of getting a magazine in the hands of readers has been made easier by the internet. There’s something about the physical experience of reading a magazine that glass screens just can’t beat. And while the way we use printed magazines may change – nowadays it’s less about fast, cheap distribution of information and more about creating covetable, collectable, coffee- table-worthy objects – there will always be a role for them. It seems ringing the death knell is right up there with other silly claims such as: the record player will kill off live music, or TV will destroy theatre or the telephone will end real-life meetings. New technology doesn’t have to mean the end of old technology. Sometimes it just means a new role. Except for the whole “robots killing off housework” claim. That one is going to happen. Any day now.
Five of the best independent magazines Here’s five of the best independent magazines.
WRAPWRAP
A magazine about illustration, with pages that double up as wrapping paper, or original prints for your walls. Part reading matter, part product.A magazine about illustration, with pages that double up as wrapping paper, or original prints for your walls. Part reading matter, part product.
RiposteRiposte
As the names suggest, Riposte is an answer to mainstream women’s magazines. Out with the celeb interviews, diet and makeup tips and wardrobe dos and don’t. In with clean design, great photography and inspiring features on interesting humans who just happen to be women. As the names suggest, Riposte is an answer to mainstream women’s magazines. Out with the celeb interviews, diet and makeup tips and wardrobe dos and don’ts. In with clean design, great photography and inspiring features on interesting humans who just happen to be women.
Hole & Corner
With its love of slow living, craftsmanship and traditional skills, Hole & Corner offers a welcome rural retreat from the otherwise urban landscape of independent publishing. This month the magazine is offering readers shares in the company for the price of the current issue.
The GourmandThe Gourmand
A food magazine like no other. Co-founders David Lane and Marina Tweed invite creatives from different fields to respond to the topic of food and drink. And not a recipe in sight.A food magazine like no other. Co-founders David Lane and Marina Tweed invite creatives from different fields to respond to the topic of food and drink. And not a recipe in sight.
Hole & Corner
With its love of slow living, craftsmanship and traditional skills, Hole & Corner offers a welcome rural retreat from the otherwise urban landscape of independent publishing. This month the magazine is offering readers shares in the company for the price of the current issue.
Works that WorkWorks that Work
Telling the stories behind the world’s most interesting designs, Works That Work is like National Geography for objects. Just don’t call it a design magazine.Telling the stories behind the world’s most interesting designs, Works That Work is like National Geography for objects. Just don’t call it a design magazine.
Print is Dead, Long live Print is out nowPrint is Dead, Long live Print is out now