IMPULSE Magazine launches its second issue this fall. The student lifestyle magazine covers topics from fashion and politics to campus events. Being one of the only large-spread magazines on campus, IMPULSE offers a different angle for students to read.
A spread from the Fall 2011 issue of IMPULSE.
“For our magazine, we wanted a to be more like Vanity Fair, GQ and Vogue, where there?s an artistic value to it,” said Katerina Bizios, Editor-in-chief of IMPULSE. “It?s where you can see your friends and students on campus really glammed up in a way we haven?t seen before.”
The inaugural issue, launched this past spring, had more of a commercial vibe. Corey Liuget, a former Illini football player who now plays for the San Diego Chargers, was on the cover. This fall issue has more of a fashion-based angle, with cover girl fashion designer, Gordana Rasic.
The inaugural IMPULSE cover featuring Corey Liuget.
“With this issue, we got a lot more creative,” Bizios said. “The theme of fashion is tied through the whole issue and we were able to be a lot more artistic and a lot more creative.”
Working out the kinks from the inaugural issue has also allowed the IMPULSE staff to focus on the creative aspects of the magazine.
“After the ?rst issue, we learned a lot. We had no previous experience making magazines so on our second run, the stuff that gave us the most trouble the ?rst time, we knew how to deal with that,” Bizios said. “We had more time and energy to spend on creativity and the layout, even what we featured in the magazine.”
IMPULSE writer, Liz Faermark, said she really likes the uniqueness that the magazine brings to the University.
“There isn?t anything that looks like it or that really that touches on the same stuff. No one really getting at that high fashion,” Faermark said. “You don?t see anything like this on this campus, so I feel like it has a ton of potential to become this huge icon. We will keep putting out the glamour and people will be wanting it.”
Aleksia Cula?c, the publisher of IMPULSE, said that the magazine also focuses on writing about people who are af?liated with the university that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
“Everyone featured in the magazine is af?liated with the university, alumni and students — it?s produced by students and it?s about students.” Cula?c said. “We want to continue to showcase the university in a way that hasn?t been done previously and kind of give people something to look forward to.”
For this issue, Faermark wrote a pro?le on the Sex Moans, a band consisting of University of Illinois students. Faermark said she enjoys being able to write about bands like this because they are hidden treasures on campus.
Bizios noted the importance of covering the activities people do on campus as well.
“I think there are so many cool people on and around campus, and everyone?s in such a rush all the time. People start to go unnoticed,” Bizios said. “And it?s so big here that it?s hard to know about everyone, but this magazine is a way to tie people who doing really big things together on campus.”
Bizios and Cula?c started this project last winter and together, formed a staff of about 25. Bizios said that meetings are a big, collaborative effort, with everyone putting their heads together.
“Everyone?s super creative and everyone has a progressive attitude for IMPULSE,” Faermark added. “We all want to maintain this image of high culture and we can bring it to campus. No one is thinking small. Whenever we?re throwing out ideas, everyone?s thinking big.”
The recent launch party at The Clybourne was very successful, with over 200 people in attendance, Cula?c said. During the party, there was a fashion show with 6 models wearing Rasic?s designs.
Cover girl Gordana Rasic.
Overall, the staff is pleased with this experience of launching a brand new magazine, because it has bene?ted them in so many ways.
“It?s such a cool way to immerse yourself on campus and learn more about the school,” Cula?c said. “I think it enhances our experience here and we?ve got to meet so many incredible people that we wouldn?t have gotten to meet without the magazine.”