Ideas Thread

[missroxor]

So I've basically written down what I got from our conversations in creat earlier...this is obviously not even the bare bones of what we need to figure out but it's a start. Please feel free to add and discuss and I'll add things to the list if and when needed. Currently everything is open to changes, nothing is set in stone so feel free to chuck in your 10 cents ;)


STAFF

missroxor
Primary: Decor and build knowledge (meaning I know just about every build tut going - though I haven't done tombs yet - but I'm not the best at building amazing layouts/curb appeal)
Secondary: Build practical and photography.
I would really like to be involved in the overall layout design but I'm not into modelling at all, do not want to have to make sims at all.


Jaguwar

ReyaD

Levini

LadyAwesome


FUTURE STAFF REQUIREMENTS:

Must have a minumum of 25 posts.
Should provide examples of the type of job they're applying for (Want to be a featured builder, show us what you've built!)


MAGAZINE INFO

6 week rotation

20 pages:
2 - Build
2 - CAS
2 - Decor
4 - Interview
1 - Editor's comments/content page
1 - Ads

....


CONTENT IDEAS


OTHER INFO

[missroxor]

I know it's jumping the gun a bit because we haven't even set how many of each page we're doing but I was coming up with some content ideas earlier for the other mag I'm on and thought maybe we could recycle some of them? Rawr said she already planned on doing some of them anyway before she even saw my version but I don't think she plans to use them all...I'm not saying we do them exactly ...there's no point in doing this if we do the same stuff as other mags but they're just ideas I had, maybe we could use an altered version of some of them?

'How Do They Do IT?'/Ask a Builder - In the tut section - readers can send/link a pic of a build they've seen that has a feature they want to recreate but don't know how it was done.

Interior Studies/Get The Look - Take a theme (different theme every issue) such as parisien apartment style, modern, country chic and give a breakdown on how to create the look including pics. Maybe base it on a breakdown of Colour, Shape (or types of furniture to look for), Texture (kinds of patterns/materials, types of floor covering/wall covering commonly used in that style), Lighting (types of lights to use as well as how much, soft/hard etc) and Special Features (features specific to that design like how I added a shrine to my asian themed room....At the end we'd include a finished pic of the theme using all the tips suggested. I actually do a mini version of this for myself whenever I try a new theme. I use google images and sites like e-how or furniture web sites to collaborate ideas on how to recreate a look with the objects I have available. (This is one I wouldn't mind taking a lead on if you like it)

How to build a ... style home - Same as above but for the exterior. Would also need to include layout and landscaping. Maybe Roofing too.

Make-overs - Interior and/or exterior. EA make-overs? Or reader's homes made over?

Rate my room - Readers submit pics of their decor attempts to be rated/commented on by the 'experts' or maybe by other readers or Stye SOS - Readers ask for help fixing a room or common decor problem they come u against.

One couch 5 ways - I ripped this right from HGTV but could do a similar thing, one...dresser (different object every issue obviously), 3 ways and show 3 different looks using the same object.

Interview with... - Interview "famous"/featured decorators/builders from around the simming community. Maybe they could give tips or list their top 5 EA objects etc as a little side thing.

Building on a budget - This is probably just a one off article, not a recurring one but would give tips on how to keep costs down when building eg where possible use the free flooring and wall cover but for a bit of variety try using the pool wall since it's the cheapest wall covering (S3) and get creative with the CAST tool. Foundations can be casted so try to do that rather than applying wall covering or floor tiles. Foundation walls are a lot cheaper than walls so when using CFE to make folding stairs for example, use foundation instead of wall on the surrounding walls (when you have to create small rooms" to account for distortion)...etc

Shopping Pages - The lates CC finds/ our favourites.

CAST Call - showing how CAST can make a difference to a room...maybe make-over a room using only CAST ie not allowed to replace the furniture/wallpaper or anything, can only move it around or maybe add some decor items for clutter.

Simspirational - RL pics of rooms/houses to inspire readers.

[missroxor]

Other ideas we had was maybe Kayla doing a running comic (if she's up for it) and featuring stories.

[levini]

Well, That would be a grand idea to have a Ask a Builder. How many people in this group are builders/Decorators. I can help around with the Ask a builder and anything along those lines of Build mode and decorating.

[missroxor]

Good point Lev, we should probably list our skills so we know what jobs can be covered :) I'd rather 'hire' more people than have people try to do jobs they're not that great at just to keep staff down so how about we list what our primary skills are (ie, what we're best at) and our secondary skills (stuff we wouldn't mind working on for the mag but is probably not where most of our talent lies).

I guess I'll start.

Primary: Decor and build knowledge (meaning I know just about every build tut going - though I haven't done tombs yet - but I'm not the best at building amazing layouts/curb appeal)

Secondary: Build practical and photography.

I would really like to be involved in the overall layout design but I'm not into modelling at all, do not want to have to make sims at all.

^Will update the list.

[ReyaD]

Oh gosh skills...

Primary: Writing style and structure

Meaning I'm a published writer and write articles/pieces for a living (at least for now) so I know basically how to structure things and how to tell a story. I also have a .doc with some interviewing tips that I can send out or post if you guys are interested. Interviews pretty much suck until you've been doing them for a while. (In my first one my writing was impossible to read because I'd been shaking so much xD). I can edit if you guys need, but I do have problems with basic grammar. English is my third language and the little rules are what kills me.

Secondary: Uuuuuuh... I don't actually know what other skills I have that can count. I mean, I'm fair at photos and fair at building and sim creation. But not as good as everyone else on here.

EDIT: And just reading through... but unless I'm reading it wrong, CAST call and One couch 5 ways sound like the same thing. Or that they could be combined into one idea. I do like the idea of CAST call as its very creative, but 1 couch 5 ways could just be pulled into the theme of CAST call.

[levini]

Ok
Primary skills:
- House building ( a bit rusty here and there but good overall)
- House Decorating
- Modelling

Secondary Skills:
- Sim making ( I am working on this )
- Sim Fashion ( It needs a load of work)

[Jaguwar]

Ok, lemme start with primary skills:

Writing/Editing: Yup, I've actually done that for years. As a matter of fact, one of my other jobs was as a journalist. (!!) I wish so much of my old blog (http://jaguwar.wordpress.com/) wasn't lost, that would serve as a decent portfolio. I also worked as website manager for Moondance: Celebrating Creative Women (http://www.moondance.org/) . Most of my job consisted of web design/devlopment type stuff, but I've been known to step in as last-minute editor.

Secondary Skills:
Home Design/Decor: Although my style tends towards the modern, I'm working hard at learning more about other styles and integrating them into my designs. My portfolio (such as it is) is my Sims blog, Jaguwar Design & Construction (http://jdcsims.wordpress.com/).

I'm willing to do both or either. I'm also really good at searching out and gathering information, which could be useful with style articles (gathering good pics, etc).

I think I'm pretty good with just about anything, but these are the things I'm best at.

[LadyAwesome]

Primary: Being a nut job.
Secondary: Wirting, Phography, Sims, fashion, Building, Landscaping, Interior design. Bla de blaaaa

[Jaguwar]

LOL LadyA, you do realize that makes you go-to gal for absolutely everything, right? :P

Anyway, we also need to come up with a format/location/method. Suggestions? I've seen the mags done on platforms like Issuu (http://www.issu.com/) (SF Magazine (http://issuu.com/sf_magazine/docs/sf_magazine_issue_12) does that) , while others do it right on the site with a PDF option (which is always cool! People could print it out for future reference, if they wanted to, or store them on their hard drives! This is what Living Sims (http://livingsims.net/) has). However, their magazine is essentially all pics, all the time (each page is a picture) which takes a noticeable amount of time to load on my new laptop.

There are other services other than Issuu, of course, it's just an example. Other such services, in no particular order:
YuduFree (http://free.yudu.com/)
Turnit (http://www.turnit.com/#ci_uuid/PEE3A6C1-0C92-E18B-9DA097EE9CC27469)
Grisker (http://www.grisker.com/) (I found this one interesting because it appears to have some interactivity features)

Issuu seems to be the clear leader, but that doesn't mean it's the best fit. YuduFree allows us to actually make money if we wanted to (say, to pay for future expansion projects, or, if it gets popular enough, for actual wages... gasp!) and offers the option to make part of a publication paid subscription only. I think Turnit also has a system for making money.

There are other platforms that allow flipping of pages like a real magazine, I don't remember them off the top of my head, nor do I know whether or not they are free. These three (and Issuu) appear to be the only free ones.

[LadyAwesome]

Well also since I am the comic maker.... what should be the first theme for the comic? Like A welcome comic maybe?

And I am the go to person for nothing.... because I know sweet eff A! I just do those things lol

Also I might do a bit pre study for my graphic design course instead of waiting for ages. You know this will be able to go into my portfoilo :D

[levini]

Uhhh... I say no to the subscription Part. Personally, I would like to keep the whole thing as free as possible. At this current moment, we do not need to pay for anything since we are getting off the ground and there are many free services we can utilize. I say we wait until we get more popular (at least 200 readers?) before we start thinking of donations and funding for the magazine.

[Jaguwar]

Actually, I agree on being subscription free, I was just mentioning it because that particular service already has a system in place for such a future development (I thought I said that?). It would be nice to (try to) set up where we don't have to move in the future because whatever service we choose can't keep up with growing needs and desires. I know from personal experience; moving's a b**ch!

Having said all that, this doesn't mean it's the best choice either, I was just pointing it out. :)

[heaven]

IF I have time for this, and right now, it's rather iffy...

Primary Skill
Building: Usually I tend to do traditional, country or Victorian. I have never done a modern home, just a gym. And it is still not a favorite build.
Writing/Editing: Have been a writer all my life though I am not published. Am decent at editing including grammar and punctuation.

Secondary Skills:
Interior Decor: Yes, it goes with building but CASTing takes me forever and tends to be my least favorite part of building.
Photography: Am getting better with poses and angles but my graphics are not the best.

As for the subscription, I do think that, as Jag suggested, it is best to choose a site that will keep up with us/you as growth continues.

And, the comic. What I think would be GREAT is something that is ongoing. Same characters, a storyline, just for amusement. Like Peanuts or Cathy or whoever else in the Sunday paper. Is an American reference..don't know if other countries have similar.

[levini]

Oh ok Jag. I see why you mentioned it. Thanks for clearing it up

[LadyAwesome]

Maybe we can have 3 characters.... M (em) T (tee) and S (S) lol, Who is really going to pick the meaning behind it?? lol

[levini]

Not to break your bubble but I think it would be easy to put two and two together, Dear. Maybe we can think of a good name that sounds independent from MTS.

My Ideas for Names:
- The Builder ( it appears the magazine is dedicated to building nad decorating so this sounds good )
- Build Mode Magazine

[Jaguwar]

Hello ladies and gentlemen!

We've been quiet what with the holidays, maybe it's time we got back on this. We have a great idea here, I suggest we don't lose the momentum. New Year, New Mag! ;)

Although we won't make money off this, I think we need to start determining just how serious we are with this. I'd like for us to become the premier Sims magazine, and why not? We're an awfully talented bunch! But we need to treat it like a second, part-time job: serious dedication is require so that we produce such a good product that other people want to join the staff. This is important, because when we, individually, decide we can no longer keep up with the magazine or need to move on, we will be able to turn around and pick from a pool of potential candidates. But we have to set the example. I know this from past experience. Otherwise, we'll be no better than ABC Magazine (for example) which showed great promise but only put out two editions.

Having said all that, I think Lev is correct, we need to come up with a name, a mission statement, and a motto, just like any other business. Those things will help guide us AND help us decide for ourselves how much energy we are willing to put into this. We can set up a poll at some point to choose the favorite.

Lev, I love your suggestions, especially "Build Mode Magazine". I might amend that to "Build/Buy Mode Magazine", because we don't just build, we decorate, we CAS/CAH, we mesh, etc., right?

I propose the following:
- Sim Builders International (to reflect out international staff)
- Best in Sim (as in "Best in class".... works well now that Pets is out, actually....)
- Sim Nation Builders, or SNB
- Ossim Mag (I know, it's a bit of an inside joke, but I like it)

It would be cooler if we could come up with a name who's initials spelled out a real world, or came close enough that all we have to do is add a vowel or two. Do you know what I mean by that?

Ok, I'll shut up now.