Two student magazines have been shortlisted for the prestigious Student Publication Association (SPA) Awards
Date: 3 April 2018
Two student magazines have been shortlisted for the prestigious Student Publication Association (SPA) Awards, recognising the creative and journalistic talents of third-year BA Journalism students.
Sanctuary Magazine (Finding Your Headspace) has been shortlisted for Best Design, while Blurred Lines Magazine (Exploring the Gender Spectrum) made the Best Specialist Publication shortlist. The magazines were put together as part of Creating Packages, a third-year BA Journalism module.
The Awards, touted as “the highlight of the student journalism calendar”, allow students to submit work ranging from photography to feature articles across 19 different categories. They are judged by industry professionals before they are sent on to a panel of experts, who make the final decision.
“This is a fantastic achievement and I am very proud of all my students,” said Module Leader Wendy Sloane. “They have worked extremely hard all year, and to get industry recognition for their hard work is invaluable.”
Sanctuary, with its soothing pastel colours and beautiful illustrations, offers articles about relaxation, including ones about Quick Yoga, reducing stress by having pets, and unplugging from work responsibilities.
“After all the hard work and hours put into this magazine, it feels great to have been nominated and noticed since this time last year, I had no design experience whatsoever,” said Sanctuary Editor Cara Curtis.
Blurred Lines’ goal is to “educate open-minded people about LGBTQI culture and gender non-conformity,” according to its mission statement.
The glossy monthly features articles about culture, arts, fashion, beauty and topical news, including articles about formal menswear for women; adult men who like My Little Ponies and an interview with lawyer Jane Ryan, who has taken on the case of transwoman Tara Hudson, who allegedly was sexually assaulted whilst placed in a men’s prison.
“We applied without expecting anything really,” said Blurred Lines Creative Director Ana Sencenko. “But now we are very excited, because even if we don’t get anything, it shows that this mag could really be more than just a uni project.”
The editorial teams will find out if they won on 7 April at a special ceremony in Cardiff. In May, Creating Packages students also will learn if they also nabbed a prize at the annual London Met Magazine Awards. Good luck!
