the art and edit relationship
DESCRIPTION
This is a lecture I created for the College Media Advisers Convention in NYC in 2009. I will be using this lecture, updated, again in 2010.TRANSCRIPT
[email protected] • www.KatieSchlientz.com
The Art-Edit Relationship
Katie SchlientzWoman’s World magazine
The Art-Edit Relationship
Welcome!
A little about me
Why I think this topic is important
The Art-Edit Relationship
In my experience, the main reason WHY there can be a conflict between the two is simple. It’s because the designer and editor have the SAME goals.
There is a fine line in between.
The Art-Edit Relationship
At some publications, I’ve seen more of a disconnect between the art and edit departments.
At other places, it’s been more of a team effort.
The Art-Edit Relationship
When there is a team effort:
- Problems are solved effortlessly
-Deadlines are met-Employees are happier
The Art-Edit Relationship
The Art-Edit Relationship has two basic levels:
-On the page-In the office
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
- Art and edit directly rely on each other
- You have to cater your skills to your magazine, and a lot of that focuses on the editorial goal
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
-Editorial goal- You always have to keep the bigger picture in mind:
1. Your Readership: men vs woman, adult vs child, demographics... Who is your reader?
2. Time: Month/Season
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
- Then comes the specifics of your story
- It shouldn’t be a guessing game when a reader looks at the page; the topic should be clear
- The edit and art has to match
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
- The number one mistake designers make is not reading the copy.
- It should be your first step each and every time.
-Read it carefully!
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
- A great example
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
- Even if you rely on a photo department to pull images, you still must read the copy
- Mistakes are made often; has the domino effect
- It’s a designer’s responsibility to make sure the art and edit match
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
-Example
The Art-Edit Relationship
On the page:
- Art can also be used to enhance or add to a story
- Photographs, graphs, and illustrations can be used to provide the reader with information that didn’t make it into the story
Looking for a job?
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to create these elements. Companies are looking to
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The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
* Quick disclaimer: Conflict with the edit and art departments does not happen every where and every day.
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- It is important the art and edit departments communicate effectively
- It will effect the process
- It can effect the page
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- Why is there conflict?• Designers think visually, editors sometimes
can’t
• Editors don’t like to cut copy
• Designers don’t like to change designs
• Editors don’t understand the limitations of art (using low res images, tracking type, etc.)
• Both sides have creative people who take pride in their work
• Both sides sometimes do not communicate clearly with each other
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- The Solution?
- It may sound like common sense, but there are simple solutions that will get you through any art-edit conflict
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- The Solution?• Listen to each side
• Do not give attitude, even if you are receiving it
• Be FLEXIBLE
• Practice empathy
• Don’t focus on the problem, focus on the solution
• Have to be able to sell your product
• Use emotional intelligence
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- Emotional Intelligence:
• Managing your emotions without becoming overcome by them
• Having a strong sense of empathy
• Not letting setbacks/disappointments derail you
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- Emotional Intelligence:
• Daniel Goleman conducted several studies in the workplace. He came to the conclusion that people who have high emotional intelligence are more likely to succeed in their careers.
• What’s your “EQ”?
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- Emotional Intelligence:
• Whether you are a writer, editor, or designer, you are going to have a lot of things thrown at you; ads change; stories change; layouts change...
• It’s important to be able to cope and quickly create solutions
The Art-Edit Relationship
In the office:
- Emotional Intelligence:
• Doesn’t just help you with your sanity
• Your peers will notice and they will want to work with you
• Helps you become a permanent fixture at your company
[email protected] • www.KatieSchlientz.com
Thank you!
Questions?
Can’t think of any right now?E-mail: [email protected]