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 26th-30th May 2025 at Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus, with a tutored class each day from industry experts:
Monday – Nikki Simpson, Founder of the International Magazine Centre
Nikki’s worked in magazine publishing for 18 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.
Tuesday – 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.
Wednesday – 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.
Thursday – 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 26th May to Friday 30th May:
- 10am-11am Guest Presentations. Inspiration and advice from experts working in the international magazine industry
- 11am-1pm Plan It. Groups make a plan for content, design, interviews, photography and potential monetisation
- 1pm-2pm Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen
- 2pm-2.30pm Update. Each group gives feedback on what stage they’re at with the magazine
- 2.30pm-4.30pm Do It. Each group works on implementing their plan to create their magazine
At the end of the week each group will present their magazine to the other groups, and receive a Magazine Challenge certificate of completion from the International Magazine Centre.
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 26th-30th May at Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus.
What’s the price to attend?
The price to attend is £20 including VAT 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
A scholarship is also available to a maximum of ten students who could otherwise not afford the £20 cost, please apply to Graphic Design course leader Peter Buwert.
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!