Q1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

When I first came across this question, my thoughts quickly shifted to how my magazine took shape. Right from the beginning, I aimed for it to stand out from what's typically seen. Global Lens covers topics like media, politics, and culture, yet I didn't want it resembling the typical news or political publication. My goal was something that felt current, imaginative, and worldwide while remaining serious and insightful.

The main concept of the magazine involved blending journalism with design and storytelling to appeal to younger readers who are interested in global happenings but may not always engage with formal or traditional outlets. It required thoughtful decisions on which norms to keep and which ones to break.

I kept some standard magazine elements—like a clear title, an editor's note along with features and interviews—to maintain a professional look. However, many usual rules were challenged too. The cover wasn't cluttered with multiple headlines; instead, it featured a simple layout with one striking image and just the vital details. This idea drew inspiration from magazines such as Dazed and Monocle known for their minimalist styles that highlight key visuals.

Inside each issue were bold images paired with less text than seen in conventional magazines. The emphasis was heavily visual because I believe people form better connections when they can see stories rather than only read them.

I wanted every page to make the reader stop and think. That’s also why I played with typography and layout — to make information feel layered and artistic, just like real media today.

When it comes to representation, my goal was to show a new side of global media — one that includes young voices, women, and people from different cultures. In most international magazines, the focus is still very Western, so I tried to change that by using stories and visuals that reflect more diverse perspectives. For me, that’s a way of showing that global understanding comes from hearing many voices, not just one.

One of my main focuses was how young people use media and communication as a form of influence — which connects to Clay Shirky’s theory that the internet lets people organize and create change without needing big institutions. I wanted my magazine to represent that energy — the idea that normal people, not just politicians or journalists, can shape the conversation.

My issue also looks at how social media affects diplomacy, which links to Marshall McLuhan’s idea that “the medium is the message.” It’s not just what’s said — it’s how it’s shared that matters. So, even in the design, I tried to reflect that — some pages look clean and controlled, others more chaotic, to represent how information feels today.

In the end, I think Global Lens uses some conventions to feel credible, but it challenges most to create something more original, creative, and personal. It represents people who are curious, open-minded, and want to understand the world differently.

My goal wasn’t just to make a magazine that informs — but one that makes people think and feel. I wanted it to show that global issues don’t have to feel distant or complicated — they can be something we all connect to.

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Below you can see my answer to this question presented through a creative outlet. For this I chose to frame my response as a personal editor’s diary — a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of Global Lens. I felt this format would reflect better the magazine’s personality and my own creative process.

Through dated entries, I share how Global Lens uses and challenges magazine conventions, while also exploring how it represents different social groups and global perspectives. This format feels more authentic and fits perfectly with the reflective, artistic nature of my magazine.