From the editors: Maclean’s redesign

Times change, and we change with them

by macleans.ca on Friday, May 28, 2010 10:15am - 15 Comments

Times change, and we change with them. That ancient Latin proverb is still relevant today and we are extremely proud of the newly redesigned Maclean’s on the newsstands now.

The first thing you will have noticed is the cover. We’ve pared down our use of headlines on the front to create a more authoritative and elegant face to the magazine. The result is a single and immediately arresting image. Our cover promises to grab your attention like never before.

Inside, we will be working hard to maintain that attention. The new-look Maclean’s includes more stories and more words per issue. We have increased the space for the National, International, Business and Society sections, giving our award-winning reporters more space to shine. We’ve revamped the “Notes” at the end of each section. These briefs provide a quick tour around the country and the world—bringing you fascinating stories that slip through the cracks at other publications.

We are also pleased to be introducing a permanent book review section, so readers will have a heads up on what everyone else will be talking about in the coming weeks. All in all, the expanded Maclean’s will include almost as many words as a standard-sized novel. Plus, we have enhanced the links between the magazine and our website, macleans.ca.

Of course, in the midst of all this change, we haven’t forgotten what has already made us the most popular newsmagazine in the country: our unparalleled array of columnists. All our popular writers are still here. Mark Steyn, Scott Feschuk, Andrew Coyne, Barbara Amiel, Paul Wells, Andrew Potter. And our obituary feature “The End” retains its place of honour on our final page.

Please take a good look at our new magazine. Let us know what you think.

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  • Susann

    The important thing above all else is retaining the fabulous roster of writers. The cover? It was ridiculously busy.

    • Eric

      I think also the new cover is too busy. should just have the title of one top story, with the picture covering the entire page and Maclean's on the left top cornor with 45 degree angle. you may also want to change the font of Maclean's. I do NOT like the new design for the tiny maple leaf. can be a lot more beautiful.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SeanStok Sean

    Do you guys really get a lot of Amiel fan mail? I don't want to be mean, but for some time her columns have felt more like anecdotal blog entries than anything with substantive intellectual or contextual heft.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Halo_Override Halo_Override

      The only good subjective reason I can think of not to subscribe to Macleans is that if I have the full magazine sitting around I'm eventually going to end up reading Amiel.

    • Sara

      Who can read Amiel? I have better things to read. Like a Rice Krispies box.

  • Lee Wilson

    Who, what, when, where, why.

    Who redesigned it? Who is the creative director, art director?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/citizen_CA citizen_CA

    The new design is great! I agree with Susann that the old cover was too busy, and somewhat resembling a tabloid.

  • Pam Bellavance

    Dear Macleans,

    We’ve just received the latest issue, with the ‘new look’, and we want to tell you that we very much appreciate two of the changes that have been made:

    1 – increased number of words per issue
    2 – permanent book review section

    Thank you for making these changes.

  • Debby Offermann

    I think you redesign looks good. However, although it has been my habit to buy your magazine when I pick up my groceries weekly, I have this week bought my last copy. Your selection of John Baird as the parliamentarian of the year is a shock to me. |I routinely watch CPAC and this man's behaviour in our House of Commons is generally rude in the extreme. Today it was disgusting. I'll no longer support your magazine in any fashion.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/citizen_CA citizen_CA

      It was not Maclean's selection. He was voted to be parliamentarian of the year by his peers.

  • Sarah

    I really like the new design – I felt as though I had a better idea of what the article would be about before reading it. I agree however that the new Canadian maple leaf on the cover is too stylized. I much prefered the traditional and distinctly Canadian original version.

  • aReader

    yes. please re-design the maple leaf. make it much bigger and much more vivid and real and attractive. also, you can have four different colors (fresh green, dark green, red/orange and white), each for the publications in each of the four seasons. in internet age, the cover design cannot be static for years.

  • Breen Murray

    BORRRINGGG !
    The new design is Boring.
    The old one used to jump off the newsstand at me, and considering I'm a subscriber, that's quite a jump. Why would you tell us a couple of years ago that all those American weekly magazines copied your new/old style.
    Now you go and change it. Whazzup ??

  • cheryl

    There are too many columns on most pages e.g. letters, this week etc. which makes the magazine look too busy and confusing. Plus, the font size seems smaller. Add more pages if you have more content, don't squeeze more words per page.
    It is not pleasing to the eye.

  • Sanssail

    I agree with those that dont like the re-design. Lynne Rennie in her printed letter expressed well my sentiments exactly.

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