Design workshop makes magazine more able

ONE of UK’s leading disability lifestyle magazines has been re-launched with a new look – assisted by an Edinburgh-based magazine designer.

Able, a bi-monthly magazine produced by Glasgow company, Craven Publishing, has a circulation of almost 30,000 and its new look is partly down to a workshop led by freelance magazine designer, Matthew Ball – attended by the company’s in-house designer and Able’s editor.

Craven publishes two other magazines: End of Term, a quarterly title distributed among Scotland’s secondary schools and aimed at 16-18 year-olds, and Civvy Street, for people preparing to come out of the British armed forces. The company was formed 13 years ago by managing director, Steve Craven.

Ball’s involvement included assistance with ‘cover language’ and how readers are drawn into articles.

Says Craven: “The decision to re-launch was taken after considerable research into the current market and amongst the readers, to ensure the magazine remains at the forefront of its field. Matthew was also brought in to spend a day running workshops with the editorial and design team. The new website for Able was also re-launched and will provide a valuable source of information to the disabled community.”