The Boundless Magazine
by Motte Brown on 05/20/2008 at 3:15 PM
Last week, I invited our readers to sign up for our interest list to receive the Boundless Magazine we're proposing. We received over a hundred responses from that little blurb. Thanks.
This week, I'm including a pdf of the first nine pages of the prototype we'll be debuting at New Attitude next week. It includes the cover, title page, introduction from Steve Watters, and an article from Boundless contributor Rachel Starr Thomson titled, "For Such a Girl as I."
Enjoy.
Oh, and be sure to sign up for our interest list if you haven't already. Your support is needed.
1. Chris Krycho said the following at 4:02 PM on May 20:
Boundless Mag for the win! It looks absolutely fabulous; great work!
2. Elizabeth said the following at 4:41 PM on May 20:
I'm pretty sure I signed up for the interest list, but I'm not positive. If I sign up again, will my name be on the list twice?
3. Colette said the following at 7:08 PM on May 20:
It looks amazing!
4. Amy P. said the following at 7:51 PM on May 20:
Great idea. I am hoping that the paper magazine and the e-magazine will have distinctly different content (i.e., please do not publish an article online then re-use it in the paper magainze). I noticed that the paper magzine sample had the article "Brother You are Like a 6" in the index. If my memory serves me right, this article (or an extremely similar one) was already published online.
Having to purchase in paper the same articles that we have already read online would not be something that I would be willing to sign up for. Don't forget that, as you note, many of us have been readers for years, so please don't re-use articles from 5 years ago either.
5. Susan said the following at 7:55 PM on May 20:
It looks excellent. I never give out magazine subscriptions as gifts, but if this comes to fruition, I would strongly consider doing so. I attended New Attitude last year but won't be there this year. I look forward to hearing the stories of people that were exposed to Boundless for the first time.
6. Danielle said the following at 8:01 PM on May 20:
Please make sure we can get this in Australia otherwise something drastic will happen!
(In other words: I'm excited :D)
7. Laura said the following at 8:02 PM on May 20:
Cool.
8. Me said the following at 9:00 PM on May 20:
I think the magazine is a great idea; however I think that the cover sparks little interest in terms of marketing. In fact, I think that the picture of the couple on the second page would probably serve better. Although one shouldn't judge a book (or magazine) by its cover, unfortunatly when it is put up against thousands of other magazines, this is the only thing that people have to judge it by.
9. J. said the following at 9:28 PM on May 20:
The prototype excerpt looks great.
One bimonthly newsletter I pay to subscribe to makes both print and online subscriptions available. The online subscribers are sent login names and passwords (they're the same for all the subscribers but vary by issue) every other month which people use to access and download a PDF. The online subscribers are charged less because printing and mailing costs don't have to be taken into account. Would Boundless consider something like this for its magazine, as well?
10. Sionel said the following at 11:30 PM on May 20:
It does look fantastic :)
Two questions though: First, would it be available outside the US? (I live in Australia, but was an MK from Papua New Guinea; I have other ex-MK friends here who might well be interested if it is available). And secondly, is the printed magazine going to be a collation of the online articles, or are the articles different again?
11. j. said the following at 1:38 AM on May 21:
Yikes. Sorry guys, I don't mean to be antagonistic or anything, but the general feel of the design is very cluttered. A Boundless magazine is an interesting prospect to be sure, but I'm just not jiving with the aesthetics.
12. Sarah P. said the following at 8:15 AM on May 21:
What a great article by Rachel Starr Thomson!
13. Noelle said the following at 8:29 AM on May 21:
I would love to get boundless as a real magazine!! Looks great!
14. CCSurfer said the following at 9:20 AM on May 21:
Please tell me you gave the back page to Lisa A. Judging from her witty banter on the podcast, I'd be willing to bet that any column she penned would be wickedly intelligent and entertaining.
Besides, I'm sure that between hosting the Boundless show and doing P.R. for Focus, she's got tons of free time.
15. Motte said the following at 9:25 AM on May 21:
I appreciate the feedback we're getting. Let me address a couple of questions.
1) The content is mostly print exclusive. Meaning, you won't find it online ... except for one article that we'll take from the archive to complement the quarterly theme. We reprinted "Brother You're Like a Six" to go along with the relationship theme for the prototype.
2) Yes, we are planning to make the quarterly available to our readers overseas (keyword being "planning"). That'll be a part of the approval process.
Oh, and as for the cost. Who said it's going to require a subscription fee? =)
16. B. Minich said the following at 11:41 AM on May 21:
Looks interesting. I'm going to look at the prototype at the annual sodium conference in Louisville this weekend (Na - New Attitude). If I like it, I will put my name on that interest list.
17. Becca said the following at 1:40 PM on May 21:
I think the cover should say "a magazine for young adults" instead of "for 20-somethings." I know lots of people who are in their 30s who read the online articles and you could be turning away lots of readers who could benefit from the print publication.
18. BDB said the following at 2:00 PM on May 21:
B. Minich (#16) wrote:
>>the annual sodium conference in Louisville this weekend (Na - New Attitude). <<
So, will your reaction determine if you become "salt" of the earth?
(NaCl)
19. Tami said the following at 2:06 PM on May 21:
B. Minich (16) -- "Sodium Conference." I love it! :) Totally apropos (Matthew 5:13).
20. Six said the following at 2:42 PM on May 21:
Hi Motte,
I think the prototype looks very slick. Good work! I hope the magazine is a success.
However, may I ask you to reconsider the appropriateness of the advertisement on the last page? The ad is trying to be amusing, but I question whether denigrating a "nerdy" guy is a message a Christian magazine would want to promote.
Keep up your good work on this site - it is appreciated.
21. Rachael said the following at 3:50 PM on May 21:
Good job! That must have taken a ton of work. I don't suscribe to any magazines, so probably I wouldn't suscribe to the paper version even though I like many of the Boundless articles that are found online.
From a quick perusal (not in-depth reading), my guess is that that magazine might attract a younger crowd (maybe teens - early 20s). Not necessarily, but just my guess based on the layout and fact that there will be relationships issues in there. But of course relationships issues are frequently discussed on here and I enjoy reading the posts and discussions on those, and I'm in my upper 20s. I bet if a lot of the Boundless articles were in a magazine it'd be really appreciated by the suscribers. I've really enjoyed several of the online articles here.
Good luck with this project! Enjoy :)
22. Novagirl in VA said the following at 5:37 PM on May 21:
I agree with Becca #17 -- it should say "young adults" on the cover. I am 34 and love Boundless... please keep us 30-somethings feeling welcome!
I think you could really have a hit if you focus your articles at singles ages 22 (e.g., clearly post-college) through age 40 (give or take). There's no other Christian magazine out there I know of that addresses this demographic. Looking forward to seeing it debut!
23. Rachel said the following at 7:51 PM on May 21:
trying not to be too judgemental but...the first thing i thought when i saw the cover was..why is the couple so "cozy"? boundless usually doesn't promote such things. contradictory? great idea, otherwise.
24. Mike Theemling said the following at 8:47 PM on May 21:
It's good to see the print version finally getting off the ground. I know you guys have been working on that hard for some time now.
I would like to add a couple of things though. First, and perhaps most importantly, I would as Becca said change it from "A Magazine for 20-somethings" to "A Magazine for Young Adults". By stating the latter rather than the former you do not make an explicit (or perhaps implicit) exclusion for a target audience. As I recall, Boundless originally started for college-age folk (which I guess that torch has been picked up by TrueU). Still, a lot of articles would be relavent to that age group. Likewise to those who are in their 30's. Furthermore, by simply saying "Young Adults" and not "Young Adult Singles" you again do not limit your audience. In the 9+ years I've been reading Boundless I've always believed that many of the articles can be applicable to any person in the college to 30-ish age group regardless of marital or parental status.
I would also consider on the cover (and inside) to change one of the articles simply because on the surface it looks like all the content are about relationship advice. "Help Dad, I Need a Husband", "Brother, You're Like a Six", and the photo of two people who are obviously dating (because their faces are so darn close). And "Help Desk" sounds like tech support. Maybe just simply call it "Candice Watters: Boundless Advice".
Finally, I take minor exception to the "How to Avoid a Bozo" showing a stereotypical nerd with glasses. Why don't we ever see muscular jocks as "Bozo's"?? Just show a clown or someone reading a "How to Pick Up Chicks" upside-down.
25. dana111 said the following at 10:05 PM on May 21:
Rachel,
Could it be because the couple is married or engaged??
26. Sarah P. said the following at 7:17 AM on May 22:
Just a few comments, now I'm lookin' again... I hate to be critical, but I grew up in magazine work. I can tell that what you are trying to communicate is "young" and "hip." But the style reminds me most of American Girl magazine from when I was twelve. I think what appeals to my demographic of 20s-30s more is "sleek" and "sophisticated." Maybe not so much the pastels and bubbles. Simpler, more primary colors - silver, black, white, red, dark blue. But definitely organic, with curves, not blocky.
Others can feel free to disagree. The article was great, but the feel of the layout says to me "bubblegum."
27. Jorden said the following at 8:15 AM on May 22:
I agree with all the comments Mike(#24) made. I don't really need to say anything else, because I think he has the right idea.
Also, I just want to say, I'm an avid boundless reader, and I'm only 17. So I don't really fit into some of your articles. But you guys write some really great articles, and I don't like to skip over any of them. Besides, who knows when this information might be useful in the future. So "20-somethings" might exclude some younger readers like me. That's why I think "Young Adults" is a better title for it.
28. Jo said the following at 10:41 AM on May 22:
re: the couple on the front, i'm wondering why there is a couple on the front of a magazine aimed primarily at singles at all...
(or am i missing something?)
but anyway, it looks really good, i already have more than enough to read with the online articles, but i wish you guys every success and hope it will reach a lot more people with a good message. :)
29. Mad said the following at 8:48 PM on May 22:
As a very visually-oriented person, I agree with Sarah P. (#26) that while the design has good intentions it harms the overall package of great writing. I know that Boundless would be a very different publication, but Relevant Magazine does a great job with design for a similar target demographic.
Overall though, this looks like a great publication, especially with the hint at a possible free subscription (#15?).
30. dave b said the following at 10:36 PM on May 22:
The magazine looks great but how come you have an article about brother you are a six encouraging guys to change the value they put in physical attributes and then have a super hot girl on the first page as a bride in a wedding dress. If you are trying to encourage guys to value normal looking people then put normal looking people in the magazine. ok rant over with. Im with the other people that their needs to be other stuff beside relationships (its great content but can cause people to obess and make marriage an idol). I think there needs to be more content about enjoying the life God has for right now.
31. Amelia said the following at 3:32 AM on May 23:
Obviously Boundless will have to make it available in Australia - there seems to be a demand. I'm glad it let me put my details on the interest form, and didn't tell me my zip code (which, incidentally, is called a post code. Zip? What the heck? Americans are so strange) was too short, or suchlike. Though I did notice it only permitted 2 characters in the state box. Lucky I don't live in NSW anymore.
32. Jessica said the following at 7:10 PM on May 23:
YAY for a Boundless Magazine. (Up next: Boundless Speed Dating ;-} lol)
I would agree with those who have chimed in about the layout and the audience that it is aimed at. I designed a college yearbook and let me tell you, the tastes are extremely different from those in high school. Go for something not so 'we're showcasing our graphic design talents.' It has huge graphics ALL over and this weird curvy line thing going on. To be honest, it kinda looks like a college recruiting flier. Definitely aimed at seniors in high school and college freshman. Go classier. Be revolutionary; we'll like it.
I agree with the thoughts about the cover (and interior photographs) as well. If you want a magazine to minister to singles, don't slap a cozy couple on the front. I know you want it to minister to both guys and girls alike. So, you want to put both on the front, but this is not the most effective way of putting 'both' on the front. Maybe there is a classier way of doing it? I dunno, have them not so close.
If you have ever seen a shot from Rebecca St. James' book, 'Wait for Me' the photographer does an AMAZING job in some of the shots of capturing a guy and a girl together, but you still get the feel that they aren't 'together.' That might be a good photo avenue to go with. To be honest, if I saw the above-shown magazine cover, I wouldn't want to pick it up.
Your graphics inside do conflict your message as well. You have the story about guys not focusing on outward beauty, and then have this picture of a very attractive young woman in a strapless wedding gown on the front page. Then you have a picture of a nerdy guy beside the title 'how to avoid a bozo.' Immediately underneath it, you find a book cover for a book entitled, 'A Man Worth Waiting For.' On this cover, there is a very attractive young man. So, in the same magazine you have contradicted your own message. By your graphics alone, you have told guys to focus on the heart but entice them with a beautiful bride. You give the message to women that they should be holding out for strong, attractive young men, because apparently, all nerdy-looking guys are 'bozos.'
I know that is not your intent. Over and over the editors of Boundless have addressed that we should not focus on the physical. Be very careful that you do not contradict that message in the pictures you choose to put in. Remember, graphics are what readers remember most.
As a suggestion there, maybe you could do more group shots. I mean how many single shots in the prototype have more than three people? None. Boundless is all about groups right? All about community and friends. Why not convey that message through the graphics? If you MUST have so many graphics all over the 'For Such a Girl as I' article (can we say 'fillers?') then do a shot of a group of girls. Use pictures of groups of people.
Just my 2 cents. Ok, maybe that's a dollar. You have such a great look, style, feel here online. That's what keeps people like us coming back. Find a way to pull it out of HTML and put it on paper. Then, you will have a good magazine.
33. Erin said the following at 3:59 PM on May 26:
As a graphic designer I must agree with the others who said the design looks a bit "young." My teachers in college worked a lot with us on developing a "classy" style, and I believe that is what this magazine needs. The design is good but isn't quite right for the target audience.
Also, as I am a single young missionary, I would like to echo the requests of others who asked that this could be free, and available internationally. It could have such a huge impact of encouragement!
34. BDB said the following at 8:54 PM on May 26:
I second the downloadable PDF suggestion. This would help your Aussie and International users, too. I've gotten my Wall Street Journal online-only for years now.
Incidentally ZIP Code = Zone Improvement Program Code. I'm sure they made up the words so they could market it as "zipping" the letter to the recipient.
35. Tami said the following at 9:57 AM on May 27:
I'd like to echo some of Jessica (32)'s comments about the photo choice; I think they apply to the webzine as well. I've noticed there is sometimes a disconnect between the words of your articles (e.g., encouraging us to look at the heart, and not getting emotionally or physically intimate until there's a definite commitment) and the photo (e.g., of a perfectly coiffed and attired young woman and man looking very cozy). On the other hand, I LOVE the illustrations. Those are always really cool.
Such are the perils of stock photography... but I know there are pictures that are a bit less "perfect." And again, using illustrations helps.
I think your content is great. I'm sure your magazine would get a lot of attention on college campuses... especially Christian ones! :) Even on non-Christian campuses, if you were able to find a good "in" (e.g., by marketing directly to on-campus ministry groups).