Stack Awards 2018: Student Magazine of the Year shortlist
Of all the categories in the Stack Awards, Student Magazine of the Year is probably the one that throws up the most surprises. The fact that these magazines are made by and largely for students means we don’t get to see them year-round, but many of them could easily take their place on the shelves of the most discerning independent magazine shops. It’s nice to see last year’s winner Crumble magazine enter again, and we were excited to discover so many interesting titles from universities around the world.
The judges for this category will be Ruth Jamieson, author of Print Is Dead, Long Live Print, and Angharad Lewis, a writer, editor and lecturer based in London, specialising in the fields of design, culture and publishing. Find out more about them on our awards page, and scroll down to see the 15 magazines shortlisted for this category.
Aether Magazine | London
Showcasing fashion styling, photography and writing from students and young artists, Aether magazine embodies the playful spirit of zines on its big, glossy pages. With a focus on contributions by women of colour and ‘plus size’ models, it gives a space for up-and-coming artists to showcase their work in print. Editor Mia Sakai is a student at Goldsmiths.
Artefact/A+ | London
Produced in the Journalism and Publishing department of London College of Communication, the Gender and Sexuality issue of Artefact sees a collaboration with students of Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona. Speaking to trans artists, female refugees and drag artists, it offers an international perspective with voices from Turkey, Italy, the Balkans and Ireland.
Brasilia | Hanover
Created out of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Brasilia is a beautiful title with scrupulous research and really cool typography. Published in both German and English, this issue examines waste, telling harrowing stories of ‘garbage towns’, as well as creative ways designers are reducing, reusing and recycling.
Bumf | Poole
Corralling the hard work of undergrads at Arts University Bournemouth, Bumf has ace illustrations and thoughtful opinion pieces that cover internet culture, politics, sexism and beyond.
Contrastbalance | Edinburgh
With fresh writing from their city, Contrastbalance dissects contemporary music and is made inside the grounds of Edinburgh College.
Crumble | Edinburgh
After winning this category last year, Crumble, based out of University of Edinburgh, returns with a submission of their latest issue. The riso-printed architecture title, as our judge last year Ruth Jamieson says, has “ambitions that stretch beyond its covers, seeking not just to reflect the world, but to change it a little bit too.”
FM/AM | New York
From Marist College’s fashion programme, students create a magazine that emphasises fashion as a catalyst for change and thoughtful inquiry.
Hearing Aid | St Andrews
Published in conjunction with STAR Radio, the University of St Andrews’s radio station, Hearing Aid covers new music releases, gig reviews and concept pieces to form an eclectic ensemble of music journalism.
Kamena | Warwick
From the creative writing programs of the University of Warwick, Kamena is a literary title showcasing the works of emerging talent. Working with a budget of only £50 per issue, it has poetry, short fiction and writing advice from the Warwick Writing Society.
Metazine | Nottingham
Named for its ‘meta’ approach, Metazine is a gloriously indulgent magazine about magazines. Founded by Matt Gill against the auspicious backdrop of Nottingham Trent University, where he is a lecturer, it features writing and contributions from students to provide a candid insight into the ups and downs of magazine making.
Milk | Bath
Created in the Publishing Labs at Bath Spa University, Milk probes topics like social media, toxic masculinity and mental health, to provide a printed exploration of life as a student.
Rhizom | Münster
Even though we couldn’t read Rhizom (it’s published in German), we had to shortlist them for their superb design. Published out of Münster School of Design, this issue has large, loose-leaf poster-magazines in a stitched envelope, promising inventive mag-making and graphic goodness.
Rocket magazine | Williamsburg, VA
Speaking frankly about issues on their campus and in the world, Rocket is published out of The College of William and Mary. Actively seeking out creative individuals in their community, it explores topics of race, gender identity, sexuality and industry corruption from their ‘objectively-boring’ town.
Seige Magazine | Manchester
Many of the magazines in this category are a result of collaboration between the university and a student body, but Seige is created by one single pupil. While studying for his second year of graphic design at Manchester School of Art, Charles G. Brown gathered the works of 120 artists from four different continents to showcase their work in this 130-page, full gloss, perfect bound title.
Oppose | London
Minimal in design and emphatic in tone, Oppose takes a head-on look at gentrification around the world. Created in a rapidly reshaping Elephant and Castle, the title by London College of Communication has reportage that spans from Singapore to South America.
