User:AHMECT/INQ

INQ magazine is a quarterly urban magazine and website, based in London, aimed at young urban intellectuals; inner-city individuals of many ethnicities and diversities that share an interest in thought-provoking and socially conscious content. INQ magazine is available online in flash format, featuring articles themed on topics, current affairs, reviews and showcases, that relate to inner-city creative culture. INQ magazine features original and user generated reporting on stories beneath the mainstream and looks into the issues facing the young UK population today, as well as those in other urban settings across the world.

INQ magazine aims to spread urban intellectualism through stimulating content and events; to support emerging creative individuals by developing their expertise in magazine production; and to raise the profile of established and emerging talent and provide networking opportunities. The magazine, in paper and website form, is free and is an independent organisation.

Content

The content of INQ magazine is available free on its website, which features new articles and news stories alongside audio and visual files. These include radio shows, mixtapes and podcasts to showcase music and social commentary and debate; INQ videos and viewer-created content; and competitions and giveaways. New issues of the magazine are also available as a flash flip pdf, and there is also an INQ forum where topics of the day are discussed. Readers and viewers are encouraged to become contributors to showcase their creative talents.

Design

There are two main aspects to the design of INQ magazine. The first is the front cover, which is designed by young people defining the look of their generation – graphic designers, artists, illustrators and photographers from all over the world, from experienced people to up-and-coming design students. The second is Urban Ganda, a set of 4-5 illustrated pages placed throughout each issue. Urban Ganda showcases cutting-edge graphic design immersed with political and progressive messages, created by visual enthusiasts from across the globe. Both the front cover and Urban Ganda are themed around current social issues and causes relevant to a young urban audience, whilst featuring eyecatching artwork.

Distribution and Readership

Currently each issue of INQ magazine has averaged a download rate of 20,000, not including website traffic. The website attracts 15,000 unique hits per month. The target readership are predominantly young, creative individuals in full-time or part-time work or study and are frequent users of new media. They are made up from diverse ethnicities and due to the multi-ethnic mix in inner-city areas, readers are often of a minority ethnic background.