Independent School Periodicals

Independent School Magazines (19A)

34 entries

A disturbing number of the entries in this category were little more than newsletters poured into magazine pages. Many editors appear to lack a good understanding of the fundamentals of magazine design: how to lead readers through the book in a consistent and orderly way that makes sensible use of elements such as features and departments; how to engage readers with design that enhances the reader’s experience and informs content (versus obscuring it); or how to rise above an insular, institutionally oriented point of view. Much more attention should be given to headlines, decks, and captions as elements to draw reader attention. The judges were highly skeptical of anecdotal evidence that claimed, without exception, that all the entries were extremely well regarded by their target audiences. The judges saw little use of properly conducted surveys that would back up these assertions. The judges suspect that magazine editors in independent schools are particularly susceptible to pressure to make their magazines all things to all people. In most cases the judges could not discern any communication strategy behind the entries.

The winners were not free from faults, but they demonstrated reasonable command over the magazine format and sensitivity to the needs of readers. Milton Magazine is notable for its strategy of connecting significant themes in the world with alumni accomplishments and campus education. NMH Magazine had strong editorial content and made bold use of images. Watkinson News offered an inventive approach that seemed to authentically reflect the school and was easy to read. Hotchkiss Magazine also was not afraid to give strong images the breathing room they need.

The judges hope that more editors in independent schools will seek out the best publications from their peers and from the college magazines. Not everything that the best magazines do is dependent upon a big budget – anyone with a modicum of skill and determination to excel can learn to provide a magazine with sensible structure enlivened by use of headlines, decks, and captions. And keep the design simple! Readers will appreciate it.

Gold Medal

Milton Academy, Milton Magazine

Silver Medal

Watkinson School, Watkinson News

Bronze Medals

The Hotchkiss School, Hotchkiss Magazine
Northfield Mount Hermon School, NMH Magazine

Independent School Tabloids and Newsletters (19B)

9 entries

This category received only nine entries, which suggests that the print newsletters may soon be a relic of the past among independent schools. The judges believe that this outcome might be for the best since its clear that most communications offices at independent schools do not have the time to make their newsletters effective. Much of the information we saw would have been more appropriately placed on the Web. The judges urge editors of these publications to think more strategically about the place of newsletters in the full range of print and electronic communications. Editors should have a compelling strategic rationale for choosing print over Web, particularly since the Web offers solutions to problems that are trickier to handle in print, e.g., a photo gallery on the Web looks a lot better than a print spread cluttered with low-quality images. For those editors who intend to continue publishing a newsletter, the judges recommend that they look at Chapin Today. It’s a clean publication with simple design, restrained use of images and typography, and most important, a clear strategic rationale that focuses on the academic side of the institution, thereby avoiding the tendency of newsletters to become repositories for anything and everything that individuals at the school want to get into print.

Bronze Medal

The Chapin School, Chapin Today