Xpress Magazine launches first digital issue for the iPad

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

This spring, Xpress Magazine produced a print magazine, launched a new website and developed its first digital magazine for the iPad. (Available for download from iTunes).
At SF State we're not ignoring the current (or future) media landscape. Instead, we're taking on new challenges and welcoming new technology with open arms. Magazine Professor Don Menn played a big part in the success of this experiment. He was able to guide the magazine staff not only with their writing but also with their interactive components. Don even shot a little video on his Flip Cam for one of the stories!
Editor Grace Dulce and Managing Editor Meghan Dubitsky put in long hours helping with production and wrangling media files from photographers, writers and producers. Everyone, writers and photographers alike, contributed videos, maps, timelines and slideshows to the iPad edition. The journalism department also partnered with the Design & Industry (DAI) department to bring two design students into the magazine class to assist with page layout.
Photojournalism instructor Scot Tucker and photojournalism student Jon Weiand managed several video shoots involving green screens and advanced video editing.
But none of it would've been possible without the design savvy of visual journalism lecturer Beth Renneisen. Renneisen put in countless hours learning how to use the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite and she worked closely with the student designers, editors and producers to develop individual story experiences for the iPad. Renneisen  also worked closely with journalism instructor Staci Baird who recruited Renneisen to lead the digital magazine development. Baird helped facilitate communication between the magazine staff and Xpress web producers and served as a creative consultant for the project.
It was SF State's first foray into tablet magazine publication and we learned a lot. Download the issue from iTunes for free and let @XpressMagazine know what you think.