Whiteroofradio is back this week with our last show for 2005. This week we critic the new US based MINI magazine content and design and find some room for improvement. We also touch on various news stories for the week that was, and why drive through beer is just plain wrong. Apologies to all those who enjoy the hour plus podcasts. With the holidays upon us (and me podcasting from somewhere deep within the Wisconsin countryside) it’s a bit shorter than some of our previous shows. You can grab the show below:
Subscribe | Show Notes | iTunes Link | MP3 Link (23Mb)
MC2……..My feelings exactly. Let’s hope it gets better as far as layouts. It looks like a 1950-60’s rag. The website is also way too tuner-ish, but I presume many will like it.
Yes I understand they did it on a shoestring but maybe if they had posted a talent search on one of the MINI sites they may have found a designer willing to deal with them and their budget.
Yes I do subscribe, one of the 1st 100, as one of the guys on WhiteRoof said, probably Gabe, they were hoping the 1st USA Mini/MINI magazine would be a knock out. It gets better or 1 year is it for me.
Good Luck Barry & Gary…………..were a tough crowd.
Yeah I think as designers we’re holding them to a high standard. That can be both good and bad. For one I hope they don’t take it the wrong way and think we’re just trashing the mag. I really liked the content and think it could have a bright future. I’ve told Barry this on a number of occasions actually. But at the same time I hope that this criticism is taken as constructive and gives them some ideas on what to refine in the coming issues.
One thing I’ve found in my time as a print and web designer is that good design doesn’t necessarily have to cost more than bad design. And a well defined and executed design language can change the entire perception of a printed piece.
I couldn’t agree more.
Ahh honest opinions on MC2, refreshing compared to the blind gushing over the magazine that seems to be occuring on other sites…
But then again I wouldn’t know as my magazine still hasn’t arrived despite being one of the first to order… And I can’t just head over to my dealer and pickup a free copy since it’s a solid 90 minute drive…
I’m ambivalent to its design – on occaision it resembles that louche Brit rag, MAXPower, but without the summat-nekkid broads; and the next article, it’ll resemble a R&TMTC&D mainstreamer from the ’80s without the cachet of lineage to excuse weaker elements. Time will tell if they have a coherent process in mind, but it does jump about a bit, right now. I do agree, you Mac & Windx designers outta cut ’em some slack – clean and controlled may not be their language on slick papers. Admittedly, if they wanna go the blat and chromy route, they could at least throw in a page three girl. I’m not too sure either, about the self-love multipagers from the re-sellers touting their wares – I’d rather they were independent reviews.
Tuner mags are proliferating like offspring from crazed weasels, and every time I look at the rack, there’s another hard & shiny cover, with a hard & shiny ricer, and a hard & shiny Pacific Rim babe. But hey, it’s eye candy! I can’t keep track of ’em, and if MC2 stays in the tight little MINI world and can make enough money at it, they better be light on their feet – Motorers will express their opinions with authority, and MC2 should listen carefully. They can’t afford to be just another blade of grass in the wide prairie.
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
While I essentially agreed with the comments on design, I would have liked to have heard more about the contents of the articles. I certainly agree that good design need not be expensive and I hope MC2 (pronounced MC Squared, btw) gives serious attention to improving the looks of the magazine. I did find it somewhat ironic to be hearing about matters of style from guys who refer to each other as “dude” and burp a lot. There’s nothing wrong with high standards.
<blockquote>I certainly agree that good design need not be expensive and I hope MC2 (pronounced MC Squared, btw) gives serious attention to improving the looks of the magazine. </blockquote>
Sorry…I just can’t bring myself to call it “MC Sqaured” 🙂
<blockquote>I did find it somewhat ironic to be hearing about matters of style from guys who refer to each other as “dude†and burp a lot. There’s nothing wrong with high standards.</blockquote>
Whoa… as DB would be happy to point out… there’s only one of us who burps 🙂
We could have talked more about the articles but I didn’t want to just rehash the entire magazine on the air. I think by and large that the content is very solid and the topics they covered were well chosen.
Only one; I stand corrected! 🙂 Sorry guys, that was intended to be tongue-in-cheek. And I do pretty much agree with you. I’d like to see a better-looking magazine and it’s good that you’re pushing them to do that. I agree with you about the articles, too. They seemed to be more in-depth and technical than what we got from GoMINI. I’d like the looks of GoMINI with the content of MC2. The good news is they seem to be going out of their way to seek comments from the community.
F1Guy……………I know Gabe is Qualified to give his opinion on design as I am with 30+ years in the BIZ……I’m not sure if Gabe’s cronies on WRR are designers but “Burpers” or not they have the right to their opinion as much as you do. I don’t go to the other sites, except for GBMIMI, so I can’t comment on anything they say.
Most of us would love to see MC2 succeed. I enjoyed the slick looks of GoMINI but found many things wrong, not just the price, with it also.
As far as “MCSquared” goes, thanks for letting us know how to pronounce it, my life is now complete!

<blockquote>
I did find it somewhat ironic to be hearing about matters of style from guys who refer to each other as “dude†and burp a lot. There’s nothing wrong with high standard
</blockquote>
I am more than happy to point out that I am the one that is too slow on the mute button 🙂
And, as I usually do when it comes to matters of design, I was fairly quiet during the entire segment. I did not have a copy either, which is another reason I didn’t say much.
Usually, when Gabe goes off on a design bent (or starts in with his wheels), my eyes just kinda glaze over 😉
Wow, I am glad to see the opinions of others regarding MC2 are similar to mine. I had received my last issue of go/mini just days before my first issue of MC2. Right away I noticed the “cold” appearance of the magazine…if I were to see it on a news stand I doubt I would have even picked it up (I still think a better name could have been chosen)because it doesn’t even look like a magazine for MINI enthusiasts. You have to give go/mini credit–their eye grabbing covers and catchy title (go/mini sounds quick and nimble like the car)made it stand out among other magazines.On top of that it is my opinion that the British know how to produce a great mag (usually color on every page and great photos)…even if they are $10.00 and issue. Knowing the scrutiny of the Motoringfile readers I was expecting the folks at MC2 to go above and beyond what I have seen in the first issue. The design is very (yawn) boring. Maybe they should have contracted Gabe’s services to assist with design as Motoringfile is always fresh and exciting. Also the fact that MC2 doesn’t intend to be a “lifestyles” magazine (a direct jab at the now defunct go/mini)…isn’t that part of MINI ownership??? I have read countless posts and articles about MINI clothing. Motoring Gear, PUMA shoes, watches etc…MINI ownership is just as much about lifestyle as it is about tuning and performance. So to sum it all up I am glad there are others with the same opinion of MC2 as myself, and I am happy to see Motoringfile allowing the MINI owners to voice their opinions and concerns regaring MC2. I certainly hope the style and content of MC2 change for the better as I don’t think anyone will have to worry about renewing for a second year. In the meantime I will keep checking Motoringfile every day (several times) for my latest MINI news fix!
I was looking at GBMINI’s year end review of his photo’s taken in 2005.
Came across an early MC2 cover. This cover was a much cleaner layout. Still not great but better than the final edition. Wonder what happened?
<a href="http://www.gbmini.net/gallery/general2005/MC2cover" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.gbmini.net/gallery/general2005/MC2cover</a>
My last comment. One word of advice for Barry & Gary……you’ll never please everyone all the time but with all I’ve read and heard you need some professional design help…..Good Luck.
I’m glad to see everyone is getting what we meant about MC2 magazine in that we are trying to be constructive. We all want to see MC2 succeed because it’s the only game in town since the demise of GoMINI.
I’m sure there are plenty of MINI fans who love the look of MC2 and will continue to buy it whatever it looks like. I agree with Gabe in that the first issue of MC2 didn’t really capture the essence of the MINI we’ve all come to know and love. There is a balance of lifestyle, elegance, performance and whimsy we’ve come to expect from the various MINI related products on the market. Everything from websites to magazines to parts and accessories that are available.
It’s difficult to quantify this “essence” but most people know it when they see it. Design is all about communicating that essence and I think we’re all trying to encourage the MC2 editors to strive for that.
<blockquote> You have to give go/mini credit—their eye grabbing covers and catchy title (go/mini sounds quick and nimble like the car)made it stand out among other magazines.</blockquote>
Keep in mind that go/mini had the more lenient MINI international to deal with. MINIUSA would not permit the words MINI or COOPER to appear in the name or description of the magazine. Thus we get “The Independent American Magazine for Mini Owners” (with Mini, not MINI).
<blockquote>I was looking at GBMINI’s year end review of his photo’s taken in 2005.
Came across an early MC2 cover. This cover was a much cleaner layout. Still not great but better than the final edition. Wonder what happened?</blockquote>
That “cover” was put together as s flyer for Mini Meet West as I recall.