New Internationalist production editor KELSI FARRINGTON talks about the Oxford magazine's recent crowd-funded relaunch.

WHAT can I say about the relaunch of New Internationalist magazine? A particularly poignant moment was seeing the first pages of our relaunch issue as it rolled off printing machinery a couple of weeks ago.

There was a surge of immense pride, which was quadrupled when the freshly-bound finished magazine arrived at the Cowley Road office last week.

The almost overpowering scent of fresh ink reinforcing that it was real – the relaunch issue had finally arrived.

FLASHBACK: New Internationalist magazine celebrates 40 years in Oxford

Flashback to this time last year and we at New Internationalist – an award-winning political magazine, book publisher and online ethical shop that’s been based in Oxford since 1970 – were just beginning talks about what a relaunch would entail.

One thing that was certain: the change would need to be radical.

Issue 515 is the manifestation of cumbersome meetings, seemingly endless brainstorming and pernickety tweaks – to the most minute detail.

The hardest decision had to be changing the logo – we’ve had a few iterations over the years – and we wanted it to be just right. Little details like the fact that the dot in ‘Internationalist’ is used throughout the magazine are thanks to the ludicrously impressive and patient design agency, TCO London, who took our nearly 50-year-old magazine and gave it a facelift.

As for the most straightforward decision, it had to be the cover image: the striking photograph by Tim Hetherington of a rebel fighter in Liberia is even more arresting in print than on-screen.

Another key moment was when I was sat with the magazine’s co-founding editor Peter Adamson as we discussed the illustrations that would accompany his long-read essay on meritocracy.

It wasn’t until a few days later, while flicking through an early issue, that I spotted the similarities – the line drawings we used in issue 515 are just like those that were used in the 1970s.

It goes to show that, in terms of what’s ‘in fashion’ regarding design, things do come back around.

An important lesson learned during the redesign process is the importance aesthetics have on first impressions in today’s market – it can draw you in or put you off, regardless of how insightful and engaging the content is. We are in an age of information overload and the journalism New Internationalist has always delivered offers a completely radical approach to global issues – often written by voices from the so-called ‘developing world’ – and practical solutions. This is the kind of journalism we need now more than ever.

Leading the redesign of New Internationalist was a dream come true, and making a change this big and this significant needed careful thinking; so I’m delighted to have been surrounded by such a supportive and collaborative team.

One of the interesting things about New Internationalist is that we’re run as a workers’ co-operative (yes, that means no bosses), which means we all feel a sense of real ownership and pride in this brand new era of our magazine.

What an exciting time for New Internationalist and for independent journalism.

  • If you want to find out more about Oxford-based media co-op and publisher New Internationalist see: newint.org or to get a copy of the relaunch issue newint.org/go/subscribe

  • Oxford Mail and Oxford Times readers are also being offered an exclusive introductory offer of one issue for £1 (followed by £10.85 a quarter if they continue). Go to nin.tl/OxfordMail to sign up or call 01604 251046 quoting ‘9856’