Retro in the Metro: The Design Files

I’ve always been a very colourful person. If it’s not colour, it’s texture. Though design has never been my forte, I’ve always had an opinion on how graphics look like and work on a certain medium. Working in a fashion magazine does to a large extent prepare you for the design element. We are always fighting with the art and design team over where products have to be placed or where we need to make rearrangements. And over the years, I’ve somehow learn to appreciate the normal yet creative things that surround my work. My layouts that are almost fed into my psyche, the little details, the smallest of ideas, the design intrusions and the exuberant colours. Fonts, spaces and kerning is another call altogether. But while we sit here talking about design, I must give in that disclaimer that I’m not a pro when it comes to art and design. If not anything, I am a voyeur, a glimpse, an idea at the most. And today, as I glance upon things, books, magazines, ideas, and posters- anything, I know that they are the sum of a whole and the only thing that ties them closer is perhaps design. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when Elle came up with this really nice design cover for their supplement. If design is my manna, retro is my flavour. And Elle, as a magazine has the best layouts, the latent design elements and a lot of consistency. And the August Issue with Katrina on the cover is good too, but this small little gift that came with it, is my idea of fun. In India, there are very few magazines that garner such a reputation. And while Elle remains a creative enigma, the supplement is my inspiration for the day. Note the flowy colours, the underlying passion and the pop.

Tell me, What makes your eyes pop these days?

Wishlist for the Week

Picture Courtesy: Miss Dior Cherie L'eau print ad

Old cassettes are used to make iPod gadgets. Good Stuff, mate.

An entire book written without the letter 'e'. Fabulous idea.

DIY: FREE printable Mini File Folder & Labels for a nice party.

Why my 30s are better than my 20s. A fun report by Marie Claire.

Nikhil from work introduced me to this fabulous shit. Hail fun stuff in Wonderland magazine.

My editor mailed this to me. Still fearless at Vogue?

Plug-o-rama. Mission meets profession. Journalism dilemmas.

Polaroid Street Art. I love, I love.

Brad Pitts Make-It-Right foundation and the homes they are building. I like hot men doing good stuff.

Daily Good is an inspiring quote or a bundle of goodness that you get for free in your mailbox. Pass me some of that goodness.

Specially for those working in Fashion magazines. References galore. Courtesy Nikhil.

A series of screaming pictures from World Famous Design Junkies.

I love crochet. Though, outmoded and outdated, I still think it has old world charm.

Food Art by Nouar. Things that I could actually frame up in my home.

I like printable free stuff. I'm freeloader like that, but hey, these are printable Thank You cards.

Orange is the new Black. I want to include in every way in my wardrobe. My inspiration: Carolina Herrera's 2010 Resort Collection. Good, Ahoy!

MJ, MJ, How can we ever forget you? Agyness Deyn, my idol, does the ever fashionable Michael Jackson. Awesomeness.

Marie Claire finally starts their own Style.com. Lots of good pictures, good shopping and excellent fashion. Go, invade.

Linda Evangelista in a Galliano ad. Super retro stuff.

Beauty and the Balloon. See and enjoy!

Lastly but not leastly, I am more and more getting inspired to write my book. And once the right kind of encouragement comes your way, you are set. Here's my little gyan on the way.

It makes more sense to write one big book—a novel or nonfiction narrative—than to write many stories or essays. Into a long, ambitious project you can fit or pour all you possess and learn. A project that takes five years will accumulate those years’ inventions and richnesses. Much of those years’ reading will feed the work. Further, writing sentences is difficult whatever their subject. It is no less difficult to write sentences in a recipe than sentences in Moby-Dick. So you might as well write Moby-Dick.

ANNIE DILLARD

Al Pacino's Inch By Inch speech from Any Given Sunday

I don't know what to say really.
Three minutes
to the biggest battle of our professional lives
all comes down to today.
Either
we heal
as a team
or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch
play by play
till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen
believe me
and
we can stay here
and get the shit kicked out of us
or
we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.

Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces
and I think
I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money
believe it or not.
I chased off
anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately,
I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.

You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But,
you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game
life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean
one half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game
every minute, every second.

On this team, we fight for that inch
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the fucking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.

I'll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.

Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.

That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?

Freelancing for Magazines in India: Identifying the Route

Working for a fashion/features women’s magazine for almost four years taught me a few things. Never to take anything for granted and always back your work and the magazine with articles from freelancers. Freelancing is a viable career nowadays as most magazines give out editorial work. The reason why we give out freelance work is because, we need a new voice or variety in our writing and help on certain articles we may never have time for, considering that we are busy with the features that are already sitting prettily on our plates. Sometimes it’s also about getting someone to do a full story of the topic that they most invariably specialize in, rather than get a regular features writer to write out a mediocre copy. More or less like expert opinion. Whatever it is, at times like these, a freelancer is a like a shining beacon of hope to a magazine, someone who will be regularly on the magazines radar if he/she delivers exceptionally. I get a sizeable amount of mails, queries and doubts from friends and strangers on writing for a fashion/features magazine and I've decided to post my views and thoughts here. Unadulterated,simple, easy and 'something from inside the industry'.

But first things first. The pressing questions about freelancing always linger in the background. Do magazines really need freelance? And I have to say, yes we do. At least a good 30% of the magazine can be given out for freelance. Let no one ever tell you that they don’t take any. But on the other hand, if the magazine editors don’t get back to you, it would mean that you need to work on your appeal, both work-wise and otherwise. I have worked with a few freelancers and I realize that there are many myths that comprise a worried freelancer. While their services are freelancers range from exceptional to mediocre, it’s important to know what makes a good bet for a national magazine that’s looking for quality work. And here are my rules for an ideal freelance writer. The things you should do, and the things you ought to do. And the myths that explode.

How do you choose the magazine you want to write for?

Slogging away on the workings of human rights in India if you’re a firmer believer/lover of those classic vintage necklaces found on Hill Road is futile. Stick to your strengths. Make a list of the ten things that you’re interested in writing about. Look into averages. For example, if there are more than two points on fashion and beauty, then you’re a fashion magazine material. If you’re always working on a good dose of socially relevant stuff, then you’re into the features and social magazines and if you’re heavily fuelled by Kitsch art then, Décor magazines it is. Identify your niche and you’re good to go. Once you identify your inner calling, go to the local newsstand and check out all the magazines that suit your taste and requirements. Never ever say, “I want to freelance” without doing the above. Being planned can get you more work than anything else. And ‘wanting to do ANYTHING’ isn’t a valid freelance request.


Who the Magazine is targeted at?

After you zero in on the magazines you want to write for, take a reality check. What is the magazine all about and who are its readers? I have spoken and written to many who walk in and demand freelance without knowing what the magazine stands for. And who is it for, is another important question. If it’s for college students, what kind of topics will work? Maybe, “What makes sex safe?” Things like that. Marie Claire, for example is a strong feminist magazine with a penchant for light yet relationship-type stories. Hence the story, "Why do single women fall for married men?” Do your homework. Keep a journal in place and just write down ideas and thoughts.


What is the content's value? What is the style?

Is it strong, academic or light and breezy? The style of a magazine is very important before you even look at story ideas. It’s important to be able to write in the way the magazine functions and works.

What can I offer that a regular writer/employee of the magazine cannot provide?

First Person Stories like "My husband slept with his Best Friend" will work. You can even look around and interview a friend and write it in first person. Just make sure it's contemporary and sensational. The unique-ness of this premise is that you, only you can tell the story, only you know the contact and any regular employee cannot. Sometimes, we can take a piece just because it’s written cleverly. A simple topic like “Why do women life about their age?” is unique, funny and isn’t done to death.
Other ideas that should be avoided, but can be written cleverly are in the departments of Fitness, Health and Relationships. Unless you can offer to write things like "My one week of endurance with Muay Thai", no one will give it out because going and checking out a good fitness fad is something the employee can do.

Who should I write to and how should I go about it?

Ask around. Cold call the magazine and try to get the features editors e-mail id. Unless you press for attention people will just keep you on the phone with an outdated Christmas song that goes on and on in between extensions. Another way of looking at it is through the mast head of the magazine and simply put in the first name or the name of the person with the company’s name. For example: vinay@newstoday.com, vinayshukla@newstoday.com. Call and let us know what you have sent us. Call, don’t pester.

In your covering letter to magazines, do write down ideas specific to the magazine and trust me, it will work. For example: "Can I write the ill-effects of Yoga for your Life & Style section?" People will give you work at once.

Narrow it down this way and you can practically write on most things under the sun. Also try to expand to writing on human interest stories, more or less first person stuff like I said. That's something every magazine is looking for and every employee can't provide.

Write an eye-catching subject line. “The workings of a happy marriage in India as seen through a stray man’s eyes” or “The Making of an item number in Bollywood” etc. This will make us open the document and read. And never, ever attach your work,just copy-paste it in the mail. Well, it’s true, am lazy to download. And so are many others in this industry. Write an excellent, funny, witty covering letter. Write your ideas, strengths and your best stories. Keep it super short. No long stories.


Additional Homework:

Check the last ten issues of the magazine before you write them a mail. If you can’t get the back issues, just google and find the website. Read and re-read

Its’ a myth that all mails sent by freelancers are sent straight to the trash bin. Infact, I’ve been looking for freelancers for a premium fashion magazine for years and am still yet to find someone who can write a decent copy.

It’s ok if you’re good at beauty, fashion or even silly relationship stories. Deep doesn’t only mean writing on socially relevant issues.

It’s a myth that big high-end magazines don’t take freelancers. All of us do. We just want better stuff in our inboxes.

Don’t recycle ideas and do a blanket call with every magazine. Just work on ideas that work for each magazine. For example: Cosmopolitan likes pieces like “ How to spot jealousy in a relationship?” and you can tweak it to, “ How jealousy ruined my relationship” and that will work with Femina. And, the “How jealousy can ruin relationships, a report” in Open magazine.

Never mail your exclusive contacts to a magazine. Name the names, but store the numbers and e-mails.

Wishlist: 3rd Aug 09

Image by: Adrienne K.

There are many things this week that have made me think. Like they used to say in points to ponder, in an old Readers Digest. But the best part is the lessons you learn from the things that make you think. I have learnt that passion doesn’t a career make, school doesn’t make you a wholesome person and comparison to others isn’t a good trait. But then, here’s my manna for you. The best things I read this week.

Since fat has become a big part of me. This is what I'm aiming at, for a month. No Diet, but eat healthy.

Getting bored of the same workout? Try this.

Black Barbie and the Italian Vogue. Period!

The last emperor, Christian Lacroix.

The seven sins and the seven wine glasses. How cool is that? I like Lust.

Be Delicious by DKNY is one of my all-time favourite perfumes. Check out the packaging.

Roy Lichtenstein. Need I say more? I want his stuff all over my walls.

Flickr Cassette Inserts. Easy, interesting and kitsch.

Kickstarting your own business by Steve Pavlina. Old, but good.

The one place where you can get some awesome book recommendations. Sent by Sri.

Ultimate guides to Writers Block. A collection.

Wall Paper for Shoe Lovers. I dig this shit.