INFO Art Director of Boneshaker Magazine. Craft and art related cycling publication. http://www.boneshakermag.com/ Where to get yours: http://www.boneshakermag.com/stockists/
Boneshaker is a magazine, co-founded by John Coe, printed and published in Bristol, which explores the cycling lifestyle. Sharing stories, illustrations and photography from its community around the world. However this is more than a magazine about bikes. Boneshaker documents innovative, interesting and quirky uses, sharing the stories about the people behind the bikes. Our coffee fuelled chat showcased John’s enthusiasm and passion for Boneshaker magazine and design as a whole. He spoke at a hundred miles an hour, and seems to live at the same pace. He works full time as a creative director at The Loop, a corporate graphic design company in Bristol. In his spare time he and friend, James Lucas, put together Boneshaker. James and John, had previously worked together on a zine called Gunfighter 29. With its success and their love of making it, they decided to set up Boneshaker, purely as a passion driven project. They were influenced by magazines such as Huck and Little White Lies, that both have striking design, alongside engaging content. They wanted to share stories about cycling and showcase the talent of illustration and photography that goes in hand with it. Initially putting £1000 each into it they made the first issue a year and a half ago. We are now eagerly awaiting issue seven. 12
When the publication was launched it was sold in London and Bristol in art bookshops that they knew about, such as the Arnolfini and Magma, now you can pick it up globally, as it is sold in 35 different countries. The back issues of Boneshaker are available to view and download from their website in PDF form with no charge. John describes themselves as “keen as mustard” to sell the magazine in its print format first and foremost. Although impressed and excited by the digital advances editorial design is making through iPads, this is not a route John desires for Boneshaker. Digitally John has made advances through social networking, such as Twitter. Which has allowed them to contact numerous countries and corporations that want to sell their magazine. Without Twitter and word of mouth the magazine wouldn’t be half as successful. Boneshaker’s web presence, up to date blog and website provide anticipation for the forthcoming issue. The magazine has no adverts and is therefore not profitable, as they want to keep at the reasonable price of £3.50. Which is fab for us students!