Research Into Magazine Job Roles

Editor
A magazine editor is someone who makes sure that the content of the magazine is suitable before publishing. Editors are not always expected to have specialist knowledge in the subject but are a keen interest is usually expected from them.
Responsibilities can include - Generating ideas for features, commissioning work for free lance writers, editing and proofreading, managing writing staff and liaising with artists and photographers.
Editors have to -

Oversee the layout, appearance and content of feature articles
Generate ideas for features with writing staff
Commission articles from freelance and in-house writers
Manage the writing staff and freelance feature writers
Re-write articles, decide which will be published, which won’t and those that need to be returned to the writer for revision.
Oversee artwork, design and photography for the features section of the magazine
Attend photo shoots
Organise meetings with writers and artists to discuss ideas for artwork layout and features
Deal with legal matters
Proof read all pages before going to press
Raise the profiles of the magazine
Assist other staff to meet their deadlines.

To take on this job role you will usually need a degree although it is not a necessity but you will need previous



Photo editor
A photo editor oversees the photography that appears in a magazine, working as a point person for hiring photographers.

Photo editors have to –

Know a lot about photography
Have extensive contacts in the industry
Be able to translate the editor’s ideas to the photographer that is hired.

To take on this job role you will need lots of industry experiences and a good knowledge of photography, a degree or equivalent would probably help your chances.

Major Responsibilities:
1. Assigns photo requests received from section editors
2. Assures that all assignments are shot and submitted by deadline
3. Selects the photos that go into the paper with section editor input
4. Solely responsible for enhancing photos in Adobe Photoshop before photos are
published
5. Acts as liaison between photographers and section editors if problems should
occur
6. Advises section editors of possible feature photos or photo essays
7. Handles all outside photo assignments
8. Ensures that photographs are kept in good order and organized accordingly
9. In charge of inventory of all photo equipment (cameras, lenses, etc.)
10. Attends tear-up meetings and participates in editorial board
11. Contributes constructive and helpful criticism to tear-up each week

Art director
An Art director oversees the art that goes into the magazine. They are usually the person who oversees the entire design department. They also work with the photo editors and editors to co-ordinate what images go or ‘match up’ with the words

An art director oversees the art; the photographs and drawn images that appear in magazines. An art director is usually the person who oversees the entire design department, working with photo editors and editors to coordinate what images will match up with what words. More than simply assigning a photographer or illustrator to create an image, an art director works on creating visual concepts. At a magazine, an art director works to create the specific look and feel of the entire magazine, ensuring there’s a unified visual look throughout. In certain magazines they maintain different types of looks with certain layouts and certain types of images.
Responsibilities – Creating visual concepts with the editor and photo editor.
Art directors have to –

Have a good knowledge or even training in such programs as Photoshop etc.
Work with people well and come up with suitable and decent ideas.
Be able to conceive layout ideas as well as visuals.

To take on this job role you will need to have a good portfolio in the area and usually will need to have been to art school and/or had an internship which will have trained you in the area.

JOB VACANCIES FOR THESE ROLES
Associate editor
Editor for the Nature publishing group in london. Industries are - press, publishing and newspapers. In order to be considered for this job you will need a Phd/doctorate (with relevant subjects). You would need to be punctual and have a high understanding of factual correctness and the english language. You need excellent organisation skills aswell. Main tasks would include: comissioning, editing, and writing for all editorial sections. Training will be provided but having knowledge of the journal’s subject area and editorial experience that involves working on all stages of the publication process will be an advantage. This is a full time job. You have to apply before you know the salary.


Photographic Technician
Senior Photo editor for 'The music market' loated in west london. Industries include: arts, creative & media. The contract is only temporary for 6 months but it is full fime and pays upto £25000 pro rata. For this job you will be expected to be a medium to high level retoucher with lots of experience with a commercial reach. You will need very good knowledge of the following things: Photoshop, retouching, digital photography, scanning and digitisation. You will need to have good communication skills and be able to share initiative and ideas with you collegues to improve our service. Be able to work with strict deadlines without exception. A knowledge of commercial photography and into the musical history and artists would be helpful in getting this role.

Freelance Designer/Art Director
Working for 'Xchangeteam LTD' based in surrey. Industries include: Marketing & PR - Agencies
Contract is only temporary but is full time. The salary is £200 - £260 a day.
You will be working with leading brands across lots of different integrated campaign work. You will have to have a broad background in TTL and BTL work, and have to have been involved in digital creative work. You will need a minimum of 5 years expeirence in commercial work and need to be a currently successful freelance art director/designer. You will need lots of experience for this. So work experience will be expected.

Examples of fashion photography and writing

http://issuu.com/gluemagazine/docs/issue1

This magazine mixes photography, fashion and music. However it does show good examples of decent fashion photography.

http://issuu.com/stylebazaar/docs/glossymagissue4.01

This is a good example of fashion/celebrity styleing/photography