March 8, 2007
Dear Editor/Publisher:
As an editor in
chief, I have worked with Andrew Ogilvie for the past four
years at both Chief Executive and Directorship
magazines. He is remarkably talented because of his ability
to sense the editorial intent of a story or an entire publication
and then come up with a physical design that amplifies and
enhances what the editors are trying to achieve. I probably
don't need to tell you that many art directors in this business
believe it is their goal to impose artistic or visual conceits
that they themselves find attractive whether or not it enhances
the editorial message.
After I took over
at Chief Executive in 2003 and began to give the magazine
a newsier, more authoritative feeling, Andy came to me and
said that the design I had inherited needed to be updated
to reflect my editorial mission. It was odd that he noticed
it before I did. So I came to trust his instincts and deferred
to his direction unless I felt there was a compelling editorial
reason to respectfully disagree.
A true collaboration
developed. And as a result, we won two awards from Folio magazine
for both our content and our cover design.
Then we came together
to Directorship, which was an established newsletter
of some 30 years in age. Working with the new owner, we decided
to inject these kinds of values into its physical appearance-timeliness,
utility, ease of access and practicality. Andy came up with
a tabloid kind of look that communicated all those properties.
Then, again acting
at the behest of our owner, we decided that directors on boards
wanted a slightly different personality-they wanted prestige,
reference value and authoritativeness. Once again, Andy came
up with a completely different look.
I wouldn't pretend
to understand all the elements that went into these redesigns-there
were issues of the color palette, typography, grids, white
space, points of entry and the like. As an editor, I responded
to what felt and looked right. But it was Andy who knew how
to execute on the editorial mission.
So in conclusion,
Andy is imaginative and dedicated, and knows how to work with
editors to help them achieve their highest aspirations. If
you would like to discuss him with me further, I can be reached
at 914-400-5596.
Sincerely,
William J. Holstein
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