An International Magazine Centre and Edinburgh Napier University collaboration.
So you want to create a magazine?
We’ve teamed up with Edinburgh Napier University for the third year to present the Magazine Challenge, a week-long challenge for students to create a magazine as part of a small team.
Open to students from any of the School of Creative Industries (SACI) courses, you’ll work in teams each with:
- Brilliant publishers, editors, writers and journalists
- Fantastic photographers
- Incredible editorial designers
Will there be guest speakers?
The Magazine Challenge will run from the 2nd-6th February 2026 at Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus, with a tutored class each day from industry experts:
Monday am – Nikki Simpson, Founder of the International Magazine Centre
Nikki’s worked in magazine publishing for 19 years, and has been supporting small publishers through the International Magazine Centre since 2018. She loves magazines and is passionate about encouraging the next generation of magazine makers.
Monday pm – Rhiannon Davies, founder and editor of Greater Govanhill
Rhiannon is the founder of the award-winning Greater Govanhill community magazine, which takes a solutions-focused approach covering local issues, provides a platform for typically marginalised voices and empowers people to tell their own stories in their own words. She also runs The Community Newsroom as a local info hub in Glasgow, and founded The Scottish Beacon as a local news collaborative of 25 independent community based publications from all over Scotland.
Tuesday am – Katie White, founder of White Creative
Through White Creative, Katie transforms complex research into compelling visual stories for purpose-driven organisations in the food and sustainability sectors. Drawing on 25 years of experience, from the fast-paced world of newspapers to her true passion, magazine design, she specialises in crafting attention-grabbing reports that inspire action. Her designs help organisations communicate their important work in ways that really connect with people.
Tuesday pm – Suzanne Martin, publisher of Westender Magazine
Suzanne is the Founder and Editor of Westender Magazine: a hyper-local freemium publication for the quirky West End of Glasgow. A background in travel wasn’t the obvious career path towards magazines, however one fun degree later, and one gap in the market spotted – and a Fifer decided to tell Weegies what was going on in their own backyard.
Friday – You!
Each team will present their magazine
to the other groups.
What will each day look like?
The Magazine Challenge will run from Monday 2nd February to Friday 6th February.
Monday 2nd February
- 10am-11am The Brief. International Magazine Centre director Nikki Simpson will talk you through the task and split you into groups, and you’ll receive your topics to focus your magazine on.
- 11am-12pm Early Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen. Sorry it’s early!
- 12am-2pm Plan It. Supported by Nikki, you’ll decide between you on a theme and story and interview ideas for your magazine, you’ll create a flatplan, come up with ideas for potential monetisation, and divide tasks between your team.
- 2pm-2.30pm Guest presentation. Editor Rhiannon Davies from Greater Govanhill will give you inspiration and advice on the tone, editorial hooks and ideas for your magazine
- 2.30pm-3.30pm Support. Nikki and Rhiannon will talk to you about your content ideas and help you firm up your tone and style.
- 3.30pm-4.30pm Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to implement your plan to begin creating your magazine.
Tuesday 3rd February
- 10am-10.30am Guest presentation. Designer Katie White from White Creative will give you inspiration and advice on the layout, rhythm, typeface, and use of photography and illustration in your magazine
- 10.30am-12.30pm Plan It. Supported by Nikki and Katie, you’ll decide between you on a style for your magazine, and make a plan for how the content will be set off by the design, photography and illustration.
- 12.30pm-1.30pm Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen
- 1.30pm-2pm Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to implement your plan to create your magazine.
- 2pm-2.30pm Guest presentation. Publisher Suzanne Martin from Westender Magazine will talk through the different ways you could monetise your magazine, including advertising, events and more.
- 2.30pm-3.30pm Support. Nikki and Suzanne will talk to you about your monetisation ideas and help you decide what could work best for your brand.
- 3.30pm-4.30pm Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to work on your magazine.
Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th February
- 10am-12.30am Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to create your magazine. Worried about anything or not sure which route to take? You’ll have support from publisher and designer Neil Braidwood, Creative and Publishing Manager at Connect Communications.
- 12.30pm-1.30pm Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen
- 1.30pm-4.30pm Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to create your magazine. Neil will be available to chat to again.
Friday 6th February
- 9am-11.00am Finish It. Put the final touches on your magazine. Nikki will be available to support you.
- 11am-12pm Early Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen. Sorry it’s early!
- 12pm-2pm Presentations. Present your magazine and business model as a team to the other students and staff, and receive a Magazine Challenge certificate of completion from the International Magazine Centre.
- 2pm-4.30pm Party! It’s time to celebrate your achievements!
Magazines will subsequently be printed and will be available to use in your portfolio and at your Degree Show.
What kind of magazines will we be creating?
At the start of the week you’ll be split into teams and each group will be given a theme for their magazine (e.g. fashion, music, travel, etc.), a style for their magazine (B2B, Consumer or Membership), and an idea generation tool to get the creative ideas flowing.
Where will the Magazine Challenge be held?
The Magazine Challenge will be held from the 2nd-6th February at Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus.
What’s the price to attend?
The Magazine Challenge if free to attend and includes:
- A printed copy of your completed magazine
- A Magazine Challenge certificate of completion from the International Magazine Centre
- Drinks and nibbles to celebrate your achievements at the end of the Challenge
I’ve got some questions – who do I ask?
Please email International Magazine Centre Director Nikki Simpson with any queries – she’s happy to help.
We look forward to welcoming you!