Mag Heroes

Gail Bichler has the envious job of Design Director at The New York Times Magazine, a publication setting trends in cover design, read by millions each week, and with a big relaunch just a few weeks ago. Gail explains how the magazine gets put together each week, her rise through the ranks at the magazine, and reveals her favourite NYTMag covers.Show notesBehind the Relaunch of The New York Times MagazineNYTMag on Magpile@gailbichlerGail's magazine recommendationsNew YorkCOLORSPrinted PagesPhoto credit: Andrew T. Warman

This episode is sponsored by Newsstand.Rosa Park is the Editor of “travel and style” magazine, Cereal, which is on the cusp of a relaunch, with a new design and a slight change in content scope. Rosa talks about starting a magazine with little experience in the industry, the balance of how much to share of new issues on Instagram and travelling around the world scoping features with Creative Director, Rich Stapleton.Show notesTwitter: @cerealmagFacebook: @cerealmagInstagram: @cerealmagVolume 9 coverGuided by CerealCereal, Korean language editionRosa's magazine recommendationsThe EconomistTimeThe New YorkerWiredNational GeographicMonocleThe GentlewomanFantastic ManThe White Review

This episode is sponsored by Hemlock.Ryan Essmaker is half of the husband-wife team that started The Great Discontent as an online interview series in 2011. Launching a print edition in spring 2014, TGD has recently gone quarterly. I talked with Ryan about TGD's beginnings, current growth and the possibilites print brings to the previously web-only brand.Show notesBrad Smith joins the TGD team2014 Magpile Magazine AwardsIssue 1Issue 2The Great Discontent Shop@greatdiscontentRyan's magazine recommendationsAcne PaperThe Travel AlmanacIntermissionPuss PussRiot of PerfumeFantastic Man

Kai Brach is the man behind Offscreen, a magazine about people who work on the web and with apps. We talk about Kai's transition from web designer to independent magazine publisher and discuss the importance of social media in today's publishing landscape.Show notesCerealHello Mr.Kai's 3 magazine recommendationsScrag EndDelayed GratificationCollect (no longer published)

Alec is Editor of Intern, a new magazine highlighting work by interns and sparking the debate about intern culture. We discuss the genesis of his publication, his work as an intern for other independent mags, and how Kickstarter has become a good way to launch a new title.

Philip is the Editor of The Ride Journal, an illustration-filled, storytelling biking magazine from the UK. We discuss Philip's passion for biking (and his bike collection) and how this fuelled the creation of this beautiful magazine, now on its 8th issue (released tomorrow).

Ibrahim is the Editor-in-Chief of The Outpost, a Beirut-based “magazine of possibilities.” We discuss The Outpost's origins in a region of flux and the current publishing climate in the Middle East.

Luke is the Art Director of Boat Magazine, a magazine that travels to and reports from a different city each issue. We talk about how Luke got into design, what he does in his day job and how he manages to balance that with his work on a nomadic magazine.

This first episode introduces Mag Heroes and lays out my thoughts behind starting this show.