Copy (main feature + 3 news support briefs + story summaries for all picture sets)
You will write a 1,000-word case study (+/- 10%) of a newspaper or magazine examining its design evolution or a critical moment in its design life – such as a major redesign.
Using academic references and insight from practitioners you will analyse the newspaper or magazine’s use of design to address its readership, combat difficult market conditions or reinvent its brand. Consideration should also be given to the magazine’s approach to digital publishing and the impact on design of new models of distribution. Lectures, but primarily independent research, should be your main source of insight on this subject. You may choose to include primary research from practitioners.
Bibliography: You must quote references from books and journals from the module reading list and others as well as practitioners and other trusted sources. Your case study must include a bibliography (without it, you might fail), formatted in Harvard style.
Indicative reading list:
Garfield, S. (2011) Just My Type. London: Profile
Leslie, J. (2013) The Modern Magazine: visual Journalism in the Digital Era. London: Laurence King Publishing
McKay, J. (2013) The Magazines Handbook. New York: Routledge
Society of News Design (2016) The Best of News Design. Beverley, Mass: Rockport
Stam, D and Scott, A (2014) Inside Magazine Publishing. London: Routledge
Whittaker, J. (2008) Magazine Production. London: Routledge
Journals:
British Journalism Review
Journalism Studies
Columbia Journalism Review
Journalism Practice
Digital Journalism
MAIN STORY FOR YOUR DOUBLE-PAGE SPREAD (DPS)
[STANDFIRST] Clear seas and sunny skies make Israel’s Red Sea beach destination Eilat a perfect winter sun escape, says Georgina Stubbs.
“I have never seen snow in my life, and if it snows here, I will leave,” laughs our guide Naftaly Gal Or, who is skillfully driving an open-backed jeep through the dusty and mesmerising mountains surrounding the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
When most of Britain is being lashed by wind, frozen rain and snow, temperatures here average 20C in January; and alongside just 30mm of annual rainfall and 360 sunny days a year, it is easy to see why sightings of the white stuff are rare.
Nestled on the coast of the Red Sea with its crystal clear waters – home to an abundance of colourful marine life such as lionfish, parrotfish, octopus and seahorses – Eilat has plenty of potential for adventure.
Clinging to Naftaly’s bouncing jeep as he deliberately moves it up the inclines of the path ahead, singing the vaguely recognisable tune of “shake to the left, shake to the right”, it is difficult to believe he is approaching 70.
The back wheels are kicking up dust from the rocky track as we meander our way through the harsh and barren landscape of Solomon Valley – close to the Egyptian border – headed for our second view point of the two-hour excursion.
With the air invitingly warm as the sun is engulfed behind the jagged edges of the mountains, casting a soft light amongst the crevasses and highlighting the many differing hues of red, browns and grey, it is hard not to be captivated by the immense natural beauty of the area.
Founded in 1950, the resort and port town neighbours the Jordanian city of Aqaba, which, from the height of the mountains, becomes visible as a mass of street lights as darkness descends.
Spectacular views are not all Eilat has to offer…
1. Take a dip with dolphins
One of the resort’s more unique attractions is Dolphin Reef (dolphinreef.co.il), home to four bottlenose porpoises called Neo, Nana, Luna and Nikita, who live in their natural environment – a large netted part of the sea.
Instead of forcing the marine mammals to perform tricks, at Dolphin Reef the animals are treated with respect and sensitivity.
There’s the option to dive (339nis/£71) or snorkel (290nis/£61) with the sea mammals for 30-minute sessions, and once immersed in their underwater habitat I’m overcome with a sense of excitement and joy that I know I havn’t felt since the Christmas Eves of my childhood.
A dolphin glides beneath me with such grace it takes me completely by surprise as it carefully inspects this latest being to enter its world. I can’t get enough of listening to their clicks and squeaks as they chatter between themselves.
There is also a pebbled beach and a floating walkway where visitors can observe the animals (67nis/£14), and three relaxation pools with the option of an unusual water-based treatment (320nis/£67). I’m moved around one of the pools by a specialist, into positions designed to relax mind, body and spirit.
2. Make feathered friends
In autumn and spring the skies above Eilat teem with birdlife as half a billion flamingoes, raptors, kingfishers and other winged creatures migrate across continents. In a typical March, more than 130 species can be seen in a day.
Providing a safe haven, a team of researchers and conservationists maintain an oasis of freshwater and saltwater ponds and lakes at the International Birding and Research Centre in Eilat, close to the Jordanian border. Pre-booked tours of the sanctuary start from 35nis (£7)pp.
The centre humanely catches and rings birds which pass through the area, to collect data for their work. Best of all, visitors can actively participate in the work. I gently undo a cloth bag to reveal a reed warbler ready for release, and am given careful instructions on how to hold its delicate body.
Watching the warbler fly away, I feel awed by the tiny creature which journeys thousands of miles every year.
3. Explore the jungle
“There are only two seasons here – summer and hot summer,” Yoram, one of the founders of the Eilat Botanical Garden, tells me as he guides us through the collection of plants and trees, which include the baobab, almond tree, the holy fig, and details how they keep them all alive. Entry costs 28nis (£6)pp.
The pinnacle of the gardens is a rainforest, where a misting water feature activates every six minutes and provides the most refreshing reprieve from the blazing Israeli sun.
4. Immerse yourself in history
A mere 30km from Eilat is Timna Park, a 60,000sq km valley where copper ores were mined from as early as the 5th millennium BC.
There are many mine shafts to climb into and discover, and geological formations such as the mushroom, a natural stone formation which resembles the fungus, and the incredible King Solomon’s Pillars – imposing red sandstone cliffs that look like they ripple through the landscape.
The ruins of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Hathor can be seen at the base of Solomon’s Pillars; the outline of the walls and several basins are still visible. Behind the Pillars, look out for a carved inscription by Pharaoh Ramses III making an offer to the goddess. Entrance to the site costs 49nis (£10.30).
5. Sink to the lowest point on Earth
At 431m below sea level, the ever-shrinking Dead Sea is the lowest dry-land point on Earth. It’s a two and a half hour drive away, but worth the effort to visit. Eilat Shuttle offer an organised day tour for $145 (£107).
It is free to enter the public beach and there are full changing facilities available, but make sure you take waterproof reef shoes as the salt crystals that have formed on the water’s edge can be a little rough under foot.
With normal swimming strokes rendered impossible by the volume of salt, after spending just 15 minutes floating in the water your skin will feel incredible.
How to get there
Monarch is the only airline to operate direct flights to Ovda, Eilat from London Luton, with fares, including taxes, starting from £104 one way (£140 return). The weekly Thursday flight launches on November 2 and runs until April 12.
Monarch offers seven night beach holidays starting from £425pp. For further information on flights and holidays, visit monarchagents.co.uk.
SUPPORT STORIES FOR YOUR DPS
STORY 1
EasyJet is to launch its first in-flight entertainment system, the airline has announced.
Travellers will use their own smartphones, tablets and laptops to log on to an on-board system allowing them to watch TV box sets, films, games and audio books for free.
Superhero series Legion and comedy Modern Family will be among the available titles.
The Air Time service is being launched on five easyJet aircraft this autumn, and there are plans to roll it out across the entire fleet.
STORY 2
British holidaymakers in Indonesia are being warned volcanic ash clouds could cause flight disruption amid fears of an imminent eruption on the tourist island of Bali.
More than 57,000 people have fled the danger zone, which extends up to 7.5 miles from Mount Agung’s crater, after authorities raised its alert status to the highest level on Friday.
The volcano, 45 miles to the north-east of the tourist hotspot of Kuta, last erupted in 1963, killing 1,100 people.
About 330,000 British nationals visit Indonesia every year, according to the Foreign Office.
STORY 3
A tour operator is enabling holidaymakers to choose their hotel room before they leave home.
Thomas Cook believes its Choose Your Room initiative will benefit customers wanting a more personalised experience, such as Instagram-obsessed travellers getting accommodation with a view and large families having rooms near each other.
It claims to be the first UK package holiday firm to offer such a service.
The scheme has been launched in 50 European hotels and will be available in 300 by summer 2018.
STORIES BEHIND ALTERNATIVE PICTURES FOR YOUR COVER (to help you write any cover lines)
Whale pictures
Australia’s east-coast humpback whales, returning from near-disappearance, are the stars of a new swim-with-whales experience at Hervey Bay.
Center Parcs pictures
One of your reporters has taken their kids to the family-friendly retreat in Longleat Forest, to test Center Parcs’ newest water ride.
Oman pictures
A rough-hewn jewel in the Middle East’s otherwise showy crown, Oman has its sights set on becoming an eco-tourism destination. Your magazine has been to explore it.
Isle of Wight pictures
Judi Dench’s royal role in new film Victoria & Abdul has inspired a visitor trail in the Isle of Wight – your magazine has been exploring the key locations.
TY – BOOK
TI – Just my type: a book about fonts
AU – Garfield, Simon.
CY – London : Profile
PB – London : Profile
SN – 1-84668-302-5
UR – http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&authtype=ip%2Cshib&custid=c6326138&db=nlebk&AN=1369114
ER –
TY – BOOK
TI – The modern magazine: visual journalism in the digital era
AU – Leslie, Jeremy, author.
CY – London : Laurence King Publishing
DA – 2013/01/01/T00:00:01Z
PY – 2013
PB – London : Laurence King Publishing
SN – 1-78067-298-5
ER –
TY – BOOK
TI – The magazines handbook
AU – McKay, Jenny, 1953- author.
CY – London : Routledge
DA – 2018/01/01/T00:00:01Z
PY – 2018
ET – Third edition.
PB – London : Routledge
SN – 1-138-08701-7
ER –
TY – BOOK
TI – The best of news design 36
AU – Society for News Design, associated with work.
CY – Beverly : Rockport Publishers
DA – 2016/01/01/T00:00:01Z
PY – 2016
PB – Beverly : Rockport Publishers
SN – 978-1-63159-110-5
ER –
TY – BOOK
TI – Inside magazine publishing
AU – Scott, Andrew, 1966- editor of compilation.
AU – Stam, David, 1953- editor of compilation.
CY – London : Routledge
DA – 2014/01/01/T00:00:01Z
PY – 2014
PB – London : Routledge
SN – 978-0-415-82712-6
ER –
TY – BOOK
TI – Magazine production
AU – Whittaker, Jason,.
CY – Routledge
DA – 2016/01/01/T00:00:01Z
PY – 2016
ET – Second edition.
PB – Routledge
SN – 1-317-30753-4
UR – http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/sunderland/detail.action?docID=4741981
ER –
TY – JOUR
T2 – British Journalism Review
ER –
TY – JOUR
T2 – Journalism Studies
ER –
TY – JOUR
T2 – Columbia Journalism Review
ER –
TY – JOUR
T2 – Journalism Practice
ER –
TY – JOUR
T2 – Digital Journalism
ER –