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?
Yes! 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.
Wednesday and Thursday – Neil Braidwood, Creative and Publishing Manager at Connect Communications
Neil started his publishing career in London on Woman’s Journal and worked for numerous magazines, before settling at Redwood Publishing to work on InterCity magazine. In 1994 he moved back to Scotland to work on Scotland on Sunday for five years, before setting up his own business, CMYK Design, growing the team to eight people, and publishing titles not only for their clients but also magazines of their own. He joined Connect Communications in 2015, and also continues with his freelance editorial design work.
Friday – You!
Each team will present their magazine
to the other groups, followed by
an awards party to celebrate
your achievements.
What will each day look like?
The Magazine Challenge will run from Monday 2nd February to Friday 6th February. If you can make it to every part, fantastic! But if you have to balance it with your own lectures and tutorials that’s fine too.
Monday 2nd February – Publishers only
- 10am-11am (Room H5) 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 (Room A55) 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-3pm (Room H10) Guest presentation. Editor Rhiannon Davies from Greater Govanhill will give you inspiration and advice on the tone, editorial hooks and ideas for your magazine
- 3pm-3.30pm (Room E7) 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 (Room E7) 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 (Room G2) 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-1pm (Room G2) Do 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.
- 1pm-2pm Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen
- 2pm-2.30pm (Room F12) 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 (Room B22) 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 (Room B22) Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to work on your magazine.
Wednesday 4th February
- 10am-12.30pm (Room B22) 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 (Room B22) Do It. Each of you will be left in your teams to create your magazine. Neil will be available to chat to again.
Thursday 5th February
- 10am-1pm (Room E7) 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.
- 1pm-2pm Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you, or money for the canteen
- 2pm-4.30pm (Room E7) 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 (Room E17) 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 (Room E17) 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 (Room E17) 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?
For the first time, we are delighted to make the Magazine Challenge FREE to attend. This also 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!