Market-leading fortnightly technology title, Computeractive, is celebrating 10 years in publication with a new look.
Incisive Media has invested in a redesign from external designer Ian Jackson to make the title easier to read and has revamped the editorial sections.
The magazine is now in three sections: How To, Tried and Tested (formally known as Hot New Products) and Interactive – a section aiming to develop reader-generated content such as reviews and tips.
Editor Paul Allen told Press Gazette that the new sections, including Masterclass, was a reaction to the magazine’s readers evolving, while still wanting its core value of the ‘plain-English approach”.
He said: ‘There was definitely a feel that while we were doing the basics well there was a hunger for some more advanced information.
‘Although Computeractive is seen as a beginners’ magazine, it’s actually not – it’s an enthusiasts’ magazine.
‘We attract people of all abilities, and one thing they have in common is that they can’t tolerate jargon. The plain-English approach is what they need.”
The redesign began last summer after an extensive reader survey and a number of focus groups.
Allen said that the next step is a complete overhaul of the magazine’s website. He said: ‘We’re going to be asking a lot of big questions about what we want the website to be. Does it have to be a complete reflection of the magazine or can it do something different?”
In the consumer magazine ABCs, released last week, Computeractive circulation for July to December 2007 was 200,307 – down 7.3 per cent year on year.
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