Success for Journal at Scottish Magazine Awards

The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland was among the winners at the 2014 Scottish Magazine Awards, announced last night at a gala dinner in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.

Produced by Connect Publications, the Society's member magazine took the prize Business and Professional Magazine Design, following the completely new look given to the Journal in August this year.

The title came out top of a four-strong shortlist also comprising CA, Holyrood and Surgeon's News. It was also shortlisted for Best Online Presence (won by the Project Smile social media campaign for DC Thomson's Shout), and the Business and Professional Magazine award, won by advertising industry publication The Drum, as well as for the overall title Magazine of the Year, also won by Shout.

For the Journal's winning category the judges' citation read: "In a traditionally staid market Connect responds extremely well to the challenge. Cover lines are strong and the illustrative imagery is engaging, with a great font for the cover and for the brand. Particularly good use of colour and duotones alongside typographic detailing – this looks fun without compromising the gravitas of the magazine.

"A redesign with a big improvement on the previous style, judges liked the use of black and white, the more appropriate new paper stock and finish with perfect binding, the inventive use of imagery, the clear movement between sections, the varied headline styles and the scale and variation across the magazine. Engaging the reader throughout, the vibrant tone is right for the audience and is clear and easy to read when dealing with large areas of type."

Editor Peter Nicholson commented: "I am delighted with this award. All credit to Connect's designer James Cargill for making such an improvement to the magazine. The feedback from the new design has been really positive."