adair

Edit: I am in a much better mood now that I talked to my Editor but we'll see aftr our meeting tommorow (full explanation below).

I get to have fun and burn records tommorow though Well I won't be the one doing the buring, I'll just be snapping photos.

rant/

God, is it like, a rule that Editor is Chiefs have to be self righteous, pompus, know it all assholes?

It's not like I am thinking this because of something he's done. My Editor in Chief (EIC from now on) has always been a dick. Now he's made me rant about it one more time.

Basically we are producing a magazine. Now this magazine presents some challenges.

First of all, it is being written almost entirely by students, who also have other positions to fulfill on the magazine as well as other classes and their personal lives.

Secondly not everyone gives a crap about their position or their article, so they are not necessarily trying. This is not to say that there are not people working really hard on it. I am not one of those, don't give a crap people.

Here is the problem. I am the Art Director of the magazine, meaning that I am the one who has to layout the entire thing with my assistant. Also meaning that I was chosen because I have an eye for design and I'm not going to dick around.

My Editor in Chief- lets call him Eric- was chosen because he is relentless and won't let go of something until he has what he wants- which is a good thing.

The problem is we butt heads a lot, not only because of our positions, but because we simply don't get along very well. But whatever, so far we have managed to keep in fairly professional.

Now the problem; our magazine is 9x9 inches, which obviously is a challenge because most magazines run at 8.5x11 inches. Because the magazine is an arts magazine, it is shaped to garner more attention in the market place. Most people love it's unique look. We are unable to change it.

Eric decided he would go ahead and estimate how many words could fit on a page- and guessed way off.

I laid out two different looks and presented one of them at an editorial meeting- the one I liked best, and thought represented that staffs wants and needs best.

My EIC has always brushed art aside quickly in meetings and finally it was addressed yesterday. I presented the idea. Eric had some concerns, which I reassured during the meeting, but they really didn't seem that strong.

However I get a message on my phone this morning that he has contacted our teacher advisor and spoke to him, telling him incorrect facts, and getting our (on strike) teacher to back him. This teacher, when it comes to layout, has admitted that he is inexperienced. Eric simply wanted someone on his side.

My Layout and design teacher though has many times told me that in the end, it is my decision what the magazine looks like and how it will be laid out.

So Eric told me to come up with 3 ideas and present them to the class on Monday. We have Mondays off traditionally, and I work that day. Basically what he wanted was the opportunity to object loudly in class, and try and get as many people on his side as possible.

Well tough for him.

I sent the entire staff an email with 2 choices for looks, and the pros and cons of each.

Not even an hour later, I get an email from Eric saying;

"I need to talk to you A.S.A.P.

I am working until 7 p.m. tonight, but would appreciate it if you could call me anytime beyond that. Please make sure you do this because it is EXTREMELY important."

I just know he is seething knowing that it's too late for him to do anything as far as creative control.

Basically we need people to start advertising to gain space or we run into the issue of how many people will actually be published- good or not.

The other thing we can do is show our editorial advisor that we are working really hard and need extra pages. Or we can lower our distribution and increase the amount of pages in our magazine.

What Eric expects is for me to change the layout to accomodate word count- which will make the magazine very very text dense and boring to look at.

Basically he wants his way and isn't thinking about anyone or anything else, and knows little about what he is talking about.

So in short. Fuck 'em. /rant

I have a phone call in ten minutes, as you saw above, so I will update later...