May 2013
11 posts
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At Work With: Jason Long, Designer at GitHub
What did you do before you came to work today?
Not a whole lot. I work from home, so I came downstairs, said good-bye to the wife and kids, and went for a short run. Afterwards, I made myself some coffee. I’ve been using a Bialetti Moka Express since learning about it from Marc Thomas in Offscreen Issue #4.
Where is work for you?
GitHub is based in San Francisco, but I’m part...
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Working with Contributors
“There are so many moving parts in a magazine and keeping everything in check has proven pretty tough in the past. How do you go about planning? Do you do things on the fly or do you follow a series of strict deadlines?”
Occasionally I get emails from other publishers (or those aspiring to be) asking about my process for handling contributors. Sharing how I do things has always been...
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At Work With: Marc Edwards, Director at Bjango
What did you do before you came to work today?
Slept a little.
Where is work for you?
Inside a small shop in Melbourne, Australia. We’re in the process of building a house and modest Bjango HQ. All going well, I’ll be moving again soon.
What do you see when you look out the window?
There’s a tiny, tiny square window in this room, right in the back corner. That’s actually how I like...
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At Work With: Paul Macgregor, founder of onsite.io
What did you do before you came to work today?
Had a cup of tea. I’m working from home today as Mike, my business partner, has sneaked off to Sardinia for the week.
Where is work for you?
Work, when not at home, is a shared office space above a picture framing factory in Hoxton, East London. Home is a converted Warehouse in Dalston, East London. I’m a fixie bike away from all...
April 2013
8 posts
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Indie Magazines and Distributors
I’ve long been thinking about working with distributors to get Offscreen in more brick and mortar stores. With issue No5, I’ve finally made a decision; here are my combined thoughts on the topic of distribution for indie mags.
In the publishing world, distributors work as middlemen between publishers and retail shops by purchasing publications in large numbers and then supplying them...
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Failure is the new success
Hardly a day goes by without me stumbling across a blog post or quote that embraces a “failures are important” attitude. Sometimes I hear people talk about their professional failures as if they are talking about a list of achievements. Of course, being constructive and supportive are values I highly appreciate about the web community. However, there are a few things that I can’t...
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Results of our first fundraiser: life-changing...
I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make a difference in our March fundraiser. To those who ordered a copy, told their friends about it or (re)tweeted a link to the fundraiser page: we all achieved this together. I hope that looking into the faces of the patients below will remind you that your efforts affect real people in a profound way.
To be honest, I was a little worried that we...
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“The truth about the difference between introverts and extroverts lies in how...”
– Yesterday’s pastry box entry by Chris Coyier mentions and links to an article that had a really big impact on me when I first read it a few years back. Jonathan Rauch’s “Caring for Your Introvert” made me come to the realisation that I too am an introvert. It explains why...
March 2013
13 posts
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“As a newbie publisher and art director for Offscreen, one of the biggest...”
– For a small contribution in the next issue of What’s Next Magazine I was just asked “Which printed publication of the past year has made a bigger impression on you than any other? And how or why did it do so?” My answer is a bit of a fanboy-ish love affair with Underscore.
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“The work of the stonemasons who built the palace is still visible after more...”
– A quick read on ephemerality of software that very much resembles my editor’s note in issue no1 and the thinking behind Offscreen overall.
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The (nerve-wracking) choice of paper
As someone that frets big decisions, being in the publishing business can be a real pain sometimes. I was reminded of that in the last few weeks and days as I needed to make a final call on ordering several tons of paper for the next three issues.
After running into a few minor consistency and quality problems with the last issue, I felt a bit let down by our paper supplier. IGEPA’s...
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Interview Quickie with Ben Tollady
How would you explain to your grandparents what you do for a living?
I talk to people about how they do things on the Internet, then design new things that are better and easier for them to use.
Something you recently saw online that made you go “wow”:
I love the gallery of “awesome people hanging out together”. And the genius here should not be underestimated...
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Offscreen × Watsi: our first fundraiser!
With so much love we received from you guys over the last year, it’s time to give something back. I’m happy to announce the first ever Offscreen Fundraiser!
Half of all profits of the month of March will be donated to Watsi to help them fund urgent, low-cost medical treatments for people in need around the globe. I’ve been giving to Watsi several times in the past and have...
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New pricing structure (shipping included)
Today, I’m introducing a small change in the pricing structure of Offscreen. In an effort to simplify the order process and make the pricing of the magazine — both ordered online and purchased through our retailers — more consistent, there’s now only one simple price:
A single issue costs $22, a three-issue subscription $59 — both includes shipping to anywhere in the world.
If you...
February 2013
18 posts
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Interview Quickie with Lachlan Hardy
How would you explain to your grandparents what you do for a living?
I explain new web technologies to other nerds to teach them why they should use them. I show them how things work, what the potential is and how to make great things with them.
Something you recently saw online that made you go “wow”:
The distressingly talented Cameron Adams recently delivered another of his mad...
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Published in Transit
As some of you may know, I’ve been in the fortunate position to be able to live and work in Berlin for the last ten or so months. Before moving to Melbourne in 2004, I always considered Berlin a worthy alternative as a liveable and enjoyable city. In fact, Melbourne and Berlin have a lot in common (apart from the price tag). Both are centres for entertainment, multiculturalism and...
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Interview Quickie with Sarah Plant
How would you explain to your grandparents what you do for a living?
I unpick the bits of the web that are difficult to understand. Making it work better and look nice.
Something you recently saw online that made you go “wow”:
It’s just too tempting to spend all day mousing over the logo on Lorenzo Verzini’s portfolio. My fingers are itching at the thought, so good.
...
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Interview Quickie with Timothy Achumba
How would you explain to your grandparents what you do for a living?
I’d probably say I design applications for mobile phones and computers but I’m pretty sure I’d have to explain what applications, mobile phones & computers are too.
Something you recently saw online that made you go “wow”:
Recently, I’ve been really interested in illustrations and...
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An evening about Indie Publishing (Berlin)
If you happen to be in Berlin on the eve of Thursday, February 21st, join us at the fabulous do you read me?! Reading Room and hear me talk about the “whys” and “hows” of Offscreen Magazine. You’ll get an in-depth look at the making of the magazine and we’ll hopefully have a bit of time for Q&A and discussion around indie publishing. As beautiful as the...
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Letters to the editor
Hi there,
I just wanted to drop a line to say that your mag is awesome.
I am a graphic designer in Sydney. My background is more in print but I am really inspired by all the people and stories that I read in Offscreen and am thinking I will try my hand at learning more web design and UX design.
You’re doing a great job. Thanks for the inspiration.
Cheers,
Grant
I always...
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Letters to the editor
Hi Kai,
I just finished reading issue #4 of Offscreen and wish to send my congrats and support for the beautiful work you’ve done.
I have been a reader since the first issue and as my subscription ended with this issue, I’m just waiting to subscribe again starting with #5, for hopefully many more issues to come. I have discovered great people and inspiring stories reading the...
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