Back to Work, Back to School

January 8, 2007

We (the 20+ POISEfashion staffers) held our first meeting tonight after a much needed six-week winter holiday. I say much needed because the publication of our third issue was absolutely exhausting – but for good reason, as it was by far our most professional, interactive, and successful issue thus far. Take a look at our archives to see for yourself.

Our first issue, Fall 2005, was our test issue. It barely had a contents page, let alone the intricate photo shoots and interactive options we started experimenting with in later issues.

We overloaded visual elements in our second publication, Spring 2006, with much-improved photos, graphically-created images, and head-banners that experimented with fonts, colors, and design. We also included 31 stories, an impressive increase from just 21 in our first issue, an actual Contents page, an easier, more recognizable navigation bar, and ads incorporated through Google AdSense, which has to date made us a $31.76 profit (hey, we’re still beginners).

What we were lacking, though, even with all of these improvements, was dynamic. Who were we? What set us apart from the rest - both as a magazine and as a magazine staff? In order to establish our dynamic, we raised our standards by creating a Staff Agreement Contract, an intensive Spring Training Program, and a rigorous application process. In doing this, both current and potential POISE staffers were essentially weeded out, leaving the remaining to create what we, as a staff, wanted to world to associate with POISE. We developed a finely-crafted mission statement, but more importantly, we established our content dynamic, though the use of online fundamentals, including site unity, hierarchy, contrast, and consistency, as well as important audience features, such as increased interactivity, and better audience control.

After rigorous preparation, Fall 2006 illustrated all of these elements. We maintained unity and consistency through the use of color, type font and size, and primary and secondary nav bars. Pages were designed with our audience in mind – an avid magazine reader and Internet user - meaning we’d have to combine basic print and Web layout concepts. Each page provided contrast and hierarchy through the use of placement, graphics, popups, and outside information.

We even implemented a “next page” element, which gave POISE readers the option of either reading the Webzine as it would appear in print, or clicking and choosing where they’d like to go, as they would do on a normal Web page. We also added a mast, and an “About Us” page to really get our dynamic across.

As I infamously do during our meetings, I seem to have gotten off track. Where was I? Oh, yes – the meeting. As I was saying, we had our first meeting since publishing our Fall 2006 issue, and what pleasure it was to meet again as a staff. I think we were all very proud of what we’d created, and how far we’ve come thus far.

In hopes of continuing our progress, we discussed our strengths, weaknesses, and future goals. A reoccurring topic seemed to center around two of our departments: Entertainment and Life. They have been our less-emphasized pages, thus contributing to the biggest source of weakness. In an attempt to showcase the huge story and audience appeal potential they encompass, we decided to focus on them more by redesigning and revamping each their page’s content.

We continued by looking at our upcoming agenda, and what it holds for Spring 2007. Each quarter, I create a syllabus-like document for POISE staffers that has important dates, deadlines, and general staff should-knows. I refer to this (usually with hesitation, as things frequently change) regularly during meetings and staff communications. In addition this document, I require staffers to send me a copy of their schedules so I know when they are available for POISE functions, and a copy of their grades, as it is in the Staff Agreement Contract that staffers must maintain above a 2.5GPA to participate in POISE production and publication.

I concluded our meeting by assigning staffers to departmental sections, and announcing Deputy and Photo Editors. Because I recently was accepted into the Avignon study-abroad program during spring quarter (and because Jen has been absolutely fabulous throughout POISE’s existence), I also announced that former Deputy Editor Jen Ator would be taking my place while in France, and would permanently be taking on the responsibility of Vice President and Senior/Assistant Editor. Jen and I plan to meet every Friday in our very posh office – Perks.

FINISHING SCHOOL:
Compare our first three issues for yourself.
- What do you think is our biggest improvement?
- What are we still missing – what can we do to spark your continued readership?

Although it is a large part of our Webzine, POISEfashion isn’t just about fashion. Our mission states that the name implies living in a POISEd fashion, not that have a sense of fashion is POISEd.
- Do you think our name restricts our audience capabilities?
- Would POISE be more effective if it were standing alone? Why or why not?