Blogging the Alberta Magazines Conference: Part 1

One of the key conversations occurring in the magazine industry centers around digital content. In the future, will magazines be entirely replaced by online versions? What happens to a paper object in a digital world? Many publishers look on with fear and trepidation wondering if much of their experience and hard work will disappear into bits and bytes.

The workshop I am sitting in takes a different view. Magazines, like many enjoyable objects on the net, can take advantage of new technologies like blogging software for updates and continued content, social networks for building community, and online programs for developing content or events over a wide network.

I don't think magazines or books or print objects will disappear. As our reader community knows, Beyond is big on beautiful objects as per the Small Art Revolution (see our latest issue). If anything, digital content will not only help us make new connections but will make publishers of all kinds up their game. Our magazine content - visual and text - needs to be more unique, suited to the printed page, and worthy of the time- and money-intensive print process.

For small publishers like Beyond, the digital world adds an extra challenge. Time is short at low staff or no staff volunteer-run magazines. And digital content can be just another thing on the to-do list.  As a reader-built print magazine, we know our readers often enjoy being involved in online connections (more chances to connect coming soon!). For now, you can sign up for our online newsletter list.

(This workshop was run by Issa Breibish from Veer, a very cool company that offers elements for professional creativity, and Milena Radzikowska, a researcher and instructor from Mount Royal College.)

Update: Issa has kindly offered a copy of this presentation at his lovely website, www.issabreibish.com. I completely forgot to mention the idea of moving your Me to We on the net, something that fits nicely with what we are trying to do with Beyond.