At the 36th annual National Magazine Awards gala last week, the Gold Award for Best Magazine Cover went to Adbusters, for the cover of their 100th issue, entitled “Are We Happy Yet?”
“Are We Happy Yet?” – Adbusters, Art Direction by Will Brown and Pedro Inoue
Why the judges picked this cover: “It resonated loudly and immediately on all counts, with its tight connection between the striking cover image and the solitary cover line. An instant classic… [it] challenges one of the primary goals of advertising–to stimulate desires–and implicitly answers its own question. At once strong, direct, incisive, compelling and complete: a brilliant magazine cover.”
The Silver award for Magazine Covers went to Maisonneuve.
“Issue 45” – Maisonneuve, Art Direction by Anna Minzhulina
A great magazine cover attracts the reader with alluring images and solid display; the perfect blend of editorial and design that makes the magazine such a unique and special medium. At this year’s National Magazine Awards gala on June 7 [INFO & TICKETS] one of these 10 nominees will earn the right to be called Canada’s best magazine cover:
“Are We Happy Yet?” – Adbusters, Art Direction by Will Brown and Pedro Inoue“March/April 2012” – Azure, Art Direction by Concrete Design Communications“The New Oilpatch” – Canadian Business, Art Direction by John Montgomery“The Secret Khadr File” – Maclean’s, Art Direction by Stephen Gregory“Issue 45” – Maisonneuve, Art Direction by Anna Minzhulina“Colombia” – Report on Business, Art Direction by Domenic Macri“January 12, 2012” – The Grid, Art Direction by Vanessa Wyse“That Time We Beat the Americans” – The Walrus, Art Direction by Brian Morgan & Anita Kunz“The Northwest Passage” – Up Here, Art Direction by John Pekelsky“July/August 2012” – Vancouver Magazine, Art Direction by Randall Watson
The National Magazine Awards Foundation proudly celebrates the artists whose masterful illustrative work enhances the context and impact of magazine stories. This year there are 8 finalists in the category Illustration. Gold and Silver awards will be presented at the 36th NMA Gala on June 7.
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And the nominees are…
“Diversity Report,” Illustration by Gracia Lam, Corporate Knights“Marques utiles,” par Benoit Tardif, Infopresse“La diplomatie de l’or noir,” par Sébastien Thibault, L’actualité“Organes recherchés,” par Isabelle Arsenault, Québec Science“Cool Parents,” by Ethan Rilly, Taddle Creek“War Games,” by Barry Blitt, The Walrus“Apocalypse Soon,” by Sam Weber, The Walrus“The Writer,” by Gracia Lam, Write Magazine
One of the most exciting awards each year at the National Magazine Awards gala is that of Best New Magazine Writer, sponsored by Reader’s Digest Foundation. This award, including a cash prize of $500, goes to a writer whose early work in Canadian magazines shows the highest degree of craft and promise. This year, our judges have nominated three finalists, one of whom will be named Canada’s Best New Magazine Writer at the awards gala on June 7.
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Chris Hampton is completing graduate studies in journalism at Ryerson University. He has contributed to Maisonneuve, the National Post, Chart Attack, and The Huffington Post.
What the judges said about it: “In evocative and entertaining prose, Chris Hampton takes the reader on a visual journey to a cloistered world where some of art’s greatest treasures lie hidden from public view. With a keen eye for detail, he makes the underground realm of high art accessible and fascinating.”
Sierra Skye Gemma, for “The Wrong Way” (The New Quarterly)
Sierra Skye Gemma
Sierra Skye Gemma is an award-winning writer and journalist. Her story “The Wrong Way” was the winner of The New Quarterly 2012 Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest. She is currently completing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.
What the judges said: “With a fresh voice and a strong command of style and structure, Sierra Skye Gemma digs ever deeper into the story of a lost life, writing with both edginess and verve in this meditation on the process of grieving. A terrific example of personal exposition, her story is powerful and lasting.”
May Jeong is a graduate of the University of Toronto and now is a freelance reporter who has written for The Globe and Mail, Reuters, The New York Times and Toronto Life, among others. She lives in Kabul, Afghanistan.
What the judges said: “Fearless reporting characterizes this investigative exposé from May Jeong, who gains exclusive access to multiple sources as she pieces together a controversial narrative of fraud and sexual abuse. Immersing herself in a difficult story, she shows real courage and great promise as a writer.”
At this year’s National Magazine Awards gala there will be 7 finalists in the category Photojournalism & Photo Essay, sponsored by CNW Group. Yesterday on this blog we chatted with last year’s winner, Ian Willms. Today we take a look at the nominees vying for the top prize this year. Gold and Silver awards will be presented at the NMA Gala on June 7.
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“For Love of Country,” photography by Leda & St. Jacques for enRoute“Le grand débarquement,” photographie par Christian Fleury pour Jobboom“Canada’s Best Restaurants,” photography by John Cullen for Maclean’s“Les réfugiés de Zaatari,” photographie par Valérian Mazataud pour L’actualité“Au coeur d’Attawapiskat,” photographie par Renaud Philippe pour L’actualité“The Jews of Morocco,” photography by Aaron Vincent Elkaim for Maisonneuve“On the Cut,” photography by Brett Gundlock for Report on Business
