Second Style is a very well-produced, graphically-rich fashion/lifestyle magazine, available both in-world and on their website. HeatherDawn Cohen, Second Style's Director of Advertising, graciously gave me some of her time to talk about what she does, how the magazine is created, and a little about herself. Thanks, HeatherDawn!SLI: So, when did you start working for the magazine?
heatherdawncohen: I started working on it when it started in April. Josie had this great idea to start a magazine and I encouraged her to do it. She finally talked me into helping her do it.
SLI: And what are your primary duties there?
heatherdawncohen: I started working on it when it started in April. Josie had this great idea to start a magazine and I encouraged her to do it. She finally talked me into helping her do it.
SLI: And what are your primary duties there?
More of the interview and HeatherDawn after the break!
SLI: How big is the staff?
heatherdawncohen: It varies from issue to issue. We have 6 people that always work on it. Then we ask others (usually high profile people) to do columns for us. Photographers also come and go with each issue.
SLI: Ah, so it's community-driven in the best sense. How often does it come out?
heatherdawncohen: Well, we started trying to do it monthly. Real life seems to get in the way sometimes. I'm sure we all know how that goes sometimes. We do it about every month and a half now.
SLI: What are the delivery methods, or how can people get issues?
heatherdawncohen: We have vendors in world that give out issues on the THINC book. We also have a PDF version on the website available. Our back issues are also available on the website on PDF.
SLI: Excellent, thanks... I overheard Philip Linden say, on Secondcast, that LL has paper copies lying around the office, and that they're beautiful!
heatherdawncohen: Oh I know!! I was so excited to hear that as well. And that he carries the current issue in his brief case.
SLI: It's great press! And flattering!
heatherdawncohen: Very much so
SLI: A little about you, if you would: How did you come to SL?
heatherdawncohen: I was a migrant from There.com *ducks*....I heard about SL and how awful it was. I had to check it out, did it, and never went back.
SLI: Do you recall what they were saying was awful about it?
heatherdawncohen: That the avatars walk around like the have a stick up their butts. Also, that it just seemed gloomy and nobody was ever around (This was almost 2 years ago so there were A LOT less people in SL).
SLI: I've not been into There; they don't have a Mac client, but I'd love to test it sometime and compare it to SL. In your mind, what are the big differences?
heatherdawncohen: Voice Chat! That's one that I really miss. Also the developing process. I'm not sure if it's the same way or not. Let's see if I remember how it goes. As a developer you had to pay a fee to "upload" content. Then you'd have to wait for it to be approved. There was also a fee that was charged for everything you sold.
I think that's how it went.
SLI: Sounds kind of restrictive
heatherdawncohen: It was...VERY. The whole process was a pain in the rear. One other nice thing they had was a try before you buy. You could try it for 30 seconds then it would poof out of your inventory.
SLI: Hmm... were the creation tools as robust as SL's?
heatherdawncohen: Yes and no. I created clothes in There and I was able to use Photoshop. Their methods for previewing the finished product was better as far as not having to use a thrid party program to do so. I think they also started allowing 3d meshes to be uploaded.
SLI: Wow... so antiquated! Were you able to entice any There friends over?
heatherdawncohen: No, I didn't. I had a few that had very unused accounts already and a couple that started right before I did. But, none of my other friends followed.
SLI: Their loss! How did you pick your SL name?
heatherdawncohen: Heather is my real life name. My mother always told me that if I had a middle name it would have been Dawn. I've always been mad at her for not giving it to me! I thought this was the perfect opportunity to use it. Cohen was picked for no particular reason. I just had a nice ring to it.
SLI: Yes, your name is nicely euphonius.
heatherdawncohen: Thank you very much.
SLI: So, can you mention any upcoming stories, or anything interesting for the future of the magazine?
heatherdawncohen: Sure! Our next issue is going in the punk/rock direction. We will also be coving the texture theft going on.
SLI: Awesome! And now, a left-field question: What's the strangest story the magazine has covered? Or, failing that, your favorite?
heatherdawncohen: Oh man, that's a good question...
SLI: Spill it, sister!
heatherdawncohen: Hahaa, I'mma thinkin'...
SLI: Take your time. *Jeopardy music plays*
heatherdawncohen: Oh, sheesh, that doesn't help... hahaha
SLI: Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doooooo
Doo doo doo doo DOO... d'doodoodoodoo
didle oop! d'doo doo doo. Doo. Doo. boom boom
heatherdawncohen: I really can't think of a strange story we have done. I really enjoy some of the smaller columns we have like "The Look", where we pick an event or something similar and come up with an outfit for a guy and a girl.
SLI: Ooh, that sounds fun.
heatherdawncohen: Also the designer tips are fun to read, as I am a designer, it's fun to see how the bigwigs do things.
SLI: Okay, a final question: What would you like to see SL implement?
heatherdawncohen: Voice Chat!! Also a way to more easily preview clothing on the AV mesh before we upload them.
SLI: Ah, excellent choice! Finally, any shout outs? Anyone you'd like to recognize?
heatherdawncohen: Of course! My honey who has been away for SL for awhile for RL reasons (has to "work" on a cruise ship, sheesh)! I love you Flaming Moe!! I'd also like to thank everyone at the magazine for everything. They are so great to work with.
SLI: Heather, thank you so much for this interview. I look forward to seeing the next issue appear!
heatherdawncohen: No, thank you! I was a bit nervous. I've never been interview before! So, this is exciting for me.
1. I think I'm not the first person, and for sure not the last person like this blog.
Posted at 5:34AM on Aug 9th 2006 by ??