Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 23 different national and regional editions by CondĂŠ Nast.
Vogue, March 1993, Kate Moss. Photographer: Corinne Day
Vogue, September 2004, Kate Moss.
Photographer: Nick Knight
Vogue, December 2014, Kate Moss. Photographer: Mario Testin
Philip Jackson
Kate Moss, Vogue Uk, 2012 Photographer: Tody Knott
Vogue is a global company which issues a new magazine once a month across many countries. With Vogue leading the way into fashion and editorial print is one of the most successful magazines to date. A Junior Art Director at British Vogue, Philip Jackson, set some time aside to answer a few question of what’s its really like working for world renown magazine. Philip Jackson job roles includes many different aspect, such as: Assisting the art team on all print layouts for the monthly magazine Design the regulars section and misc section of the magazine Come up with creative concepts collaboratively with the Vogue art team Design, input content and create animations for all the Vogue digital editions (iPad & iPhone) Design artwork for upcoming vogue events and advertisements, this includes print & digital and much more.
Kate Moss, Vogue UK 2010.
Q&A
Interview with Philip Jackson Junior Art Director at British Vogue
Having the opportune to talk to someone in the inside of Vogue is massive and I want to know everything that takes part behind them doors. I sat and asked Philip some questions from getting the job to if its as glamour as everyone thinks to get the scoop, while gathering the answers everyone wants to hear. How did you get the job? “So Sheffield Hallam where I attended has an ongoing internship program with Conde Nast. I managed to get myself onto this via application to my tutor. This was a 2 month internship designing the tablet editions for the various magazines in Conde Nast. When I did this I managed to spend some time in different magazine departments, mainly Glamour but also Vogue. As my internship was entering its final week the job of art production assistant became vacant in Vogue so I applied and because they had seen me around before and knew me a little and knew I was capable with the programs Conde Nast use I was offered the job.”
A
What made you take the job? “I never imagined such a prestigious magazine would offer me a job at such a junior level and with the low level of experience I had. I knew the quality of design Conde Nast creates and the high standard of designers I would be working with on the art team, for me this was a dream come true.” How long have been working for Vogue? “I have been working for British Vogue for around 18 months.”
“I would not say I was your typical Vogue employee but I love great design and beautiful things and that’s what British Vogue is all about.”
Kate Moss, Vogue UK 2010, The Mo Demarchelier, Kate Phelan styles Mo erto Cavalli, John Galliano, Christop print Balmain jacket.
Kate Moss, Vogue UK 2010, The Moss Factor.
oss Factor, Lensed by Patrick oss in Prada, Bottega Veneta, Robpher Kane, Miu Miu and a leopard
What’s it like working for such a huge company? “Its a massive learning curve because you have so many experienced people around you that you can draw and learn from. Its also fantastic the people you get to work and collaborate with because of being in such a large company.” Vogue to many people would be dream to work for, is this case for you? “Yes, I would not say I was your typical Vogue employee but I love great design and beautiful things and that’s what British Vogue is all about.” In summary, what’s your daily routine in work? “So my day to day will vary depending on upcoming deadlines and projects. I will usually get in the office and have a meeting with the creative team about what pages and things we are all working on today. Then throughout the day I will be working on print layouts mainly and some App pages when all the print for the month are finalised. Intermittently I will pick up projects such as Vogue Festival artwork or animations & Video for Vogue advertisements/ the App.” When coming up with creative concepts do ever find it a struggle? “Of course, I think that everybody struggles at some point but this is why I am very lucky to have such a supportive creative team around me.”
Before knowing you had the job, what were your goals/ ambitions to do work wise? “ I always wanted to move down to London, but only if the right job came up. I knew I had strong typographic skills & layout from my time in uni and wanted to improve on this further.”
Working for a massive company, tends to make it hard for people to move up in their career by getting promotions. Would you agree with this? “I belive if you work hard and show a willingness people will take note and help you progress in your career.I have certainly found Do you work mostly in groups this.” or individual? “We have individual sections & Many Graphic designers, once jobs but it is all overseen by the leaving university go to start creative director and everyone setting up their own Graphic lends a hand where need be.” Design studios, How come you didn’t do this? What are the main issues/ “All of my peers from university struggles you come across have usually got into agencies or daily in work? are in full time design jobs. There “I would say a struggle at first is are some that are freelancing butI how to communicate ideas & not haven’t really came across any feel intimidated by people who that started there own company, have a lot more experience than or had to money to do so.” me. But like everything this comes with experience and being able What piece of advice would to communicate with your colyou give to Graphic design leagues.” student wanting to work in editorial/ commercial print? If you did set up your own “ There is a massive array of studio would it editorial internships available, I would just based? say try and experience as many as “I think at the moment its to possible & try and be early in my career to specify. I do remembered “ know that I now know a lot about editorial.”
Do you undertake freelance work along side your job? Explain why? “I do sometimes but not very often, it depends on what it is and my availability etc.” Where do you see yourself in 5 years regarding work? “Its a hard question to answer because anything could happen, I would hope to be in a more senior role either in editorial or in another design capacity.”
Both images: Kate Moss, Vogue Uk, Photographer: Mario Testino
Layout/ design: Victoria Baguley. Images: Vogue UK.