The August Issue

[Peggy Wilkins]

>>>>> "Donna" == Donna Tavoso <dtavoso@earthlink.net> writes:

    Donna> While I disagree with Peggy about changing the format of
    Donna> the Interview - I think sometimes you don't mess with what
    Donna> is iconic - at least not when you are changing everything
    Donna> else.

I would think that a reason to keep the classic Interview format is
that it evokes the memory of a great tradition in its appearance.  I
know that no one will dispute that the PLAYBOY Interview has been a
wonderful feature over the decades.  That's good, but what if the
Interview becomes something less than it was in the past, as it has in
recent years?  Where's the strength in keeping up appearances, if the
substance doesn't back it up?

I hope it will be strong in both appearance and substance.  Changing
the appearance doesn't mean that the tradition will be forgotten.
Keep the appearance and lose the substance, and it will be forgotten
(or at least dismissed).

I have enjoyed some of the foreign edition interview formats, and to
me they look more attractive because they fit in better with other,
more modern layouts.  To me, part of the issue is making the magazine
look good as a whole.  To have parts of it look very modern, and other
parts very old fashioned, presents a problem in giving the reader a
sense of coherence and visual flow.

I am not wedded to the notion of updating the layout of the Interview,
but I do think that updating it could be a win overall.  But to me the
more important thing is to preserve the spirit of the Interview over
its appearance.

    Donna> I do agree that they need to do something with Advisor.
    Donna> Personally, it's the first thing I read every month and it
    Donna> looks tired -- I can't say I have an exact answer of what
    Donna> to do; maybe this would be a good place for some
    Donna> interesting artwork to go with the piece.

Or some related photographs -- for instance, if a book is mentioned as
a resource in an answer, why not picture the book cover?  Clothing
style questions would also lend themselves well to photographic
illustrations.  For sexual practices, some good art may be in order --
I think for a feature as useful and serious (note I don't mean
humorless...) as the Advisor, photographs might be less tasteful.

Adding photographs and illustrations might also facilitate a new
layout of text.

    Donna> I like the new direction fashion has been taking for a
    Donna> while.  It's entertaining and informative at the same time.

I have always liked the fashion features in the magazine, but I think
one thing that has been nice recently is that there is more of a focus
on realistic fashion -- how many people really buy those $2,000 (and
more) suits that used to be featured?  The more budget conscious
fashions can look good in print and be of practical use to readers,
too.  Doing a fashion shoot at the mansion, which was done recently,
was also a nice touch in keeping an "insiders" feel to the magazine.

Peggy Wilkins
mozart@lib.uchicago.edu