On one random Tuesday I had an idea. That idea became a sentence, that sentence became a layout, and that layout became something I could hold in my figurative hands. Two years ago, I had a vision for a platform that felt like scrolling through your curated algorithm, only in written form. And somehow, here we are, celebrating two years of The Modern Muse Magazine, and our first ever limited-edition print issue. What better way to celebrate than to pull back the curtain on what it takes to bring our magazine to life. This is the process of making our latest issue.
1. Deciding on a Theme
For those who are new here, each of our issues is themed. The process usually begins with me falling down rabbit holes by scrolling through social media, diving into pop culture conversations, or simply following whatever topic has been looping in my brain. Sometimes, I hit a creative wall (more often than I’d like to admit), and when that happens, I’ll pop into our Modern Muse chat and ask the team for ideas. It’s collaborative and always comes together.
Print Isn’t Dead was born from one of those reflective moments. I started thinking about what led me here and why I even started the magazine in the first place. I’ve always been someone who consumes content eagerly, but over the last two years, the constant stream of trends, algorithms, and updates became overwhelming. I missed the slow, intentional joy of reading something that wasn’t screaming for my attention. I lost sight of the beauty of a magazine, of my magazine whilst trying to keep delivering for our fast faced society in fear of being lost in the sea of content.
When I pictured someone reading a magazine, like physically holding it, curled up with a cup of tea I felt calm. That’s when it clicked. I wanted this issue to be an ode to that peace, to the weight of paper and permanence of print. A reminder that in our fast-paced world, some things are still worth slowing down for.
Yes, the irony of being a digital magazine isn’t lost on me. But that’s exactly why this issue felt so necessary. To test the waters, we decided to release a limited number of printed copies – our first-ever physical edition. Maybe it’s the beginning of something more. Maybe it’s just a moment. Either way, it’s meaningful to me.
2. Create a Mood Board
Enter Canva, my secret weapon. I absolutely milk my yearly membership for all it’s worth and one of my favourite ways to use it is by building mood boards. It’s not a mandatory step in the process, but as a visual learner, it helps me bring the vibe of the magazine to life long before the first article is written.
With Print Isn’t Dead, I wanted to lean into the sensory experience of print. How does it feel to turn a page? Does the magazine have a fresh print smell? Could this issue feel nostalgic, romantic, inquisitive? I asked myself: If I were to curate a collage of pictures, what story would they tell?
After a creative chat with Alisha, one of our incredible writers, we crafted a mood board filled with keywords like “long form media,” “tactile,” “paper therapy” and “tangibility.” There were images of libraries, cassette tapes, paper clippings, and handwriting. That mood board became our creative compass, shared with our team, our designer, our socials manager, and potential brand collaborators.
Our moodboard for Print Isn’t Dead
3. Brainstorming Articles
Truthfully, proposing article ideas can be either effortless or make me feel like I am at a productive standstill. Sometimes I already have a list going in my Notes app, but other times I’ll stare at the screen, desperate for inspiration.
In those moments, I Google keywords, scroll Instagram, and dig into TikTok rabbit holes. Our team also contributes ideas via a shared doc, which is both collaborative and sanity-saving. I never take for granted how lucky I am to work with creatives who have amazing ideas and aren’t afraid to suggest better ideas than mine. (In fact, I wholeheartedly welcome it!)
For our September issue, I wanted to spotlight the beauty, influence, and enduring power of print media. Every article in this edition reflects that intention, from exploring the written word’s lasting impact, to the resurgence of printed formats, to tracing the legacy of magazines that shaped culture. It’s a tribute to the world of print, in all its forms.
Excerpt from our live planning document
4. Organising the Photoshoot
This is hands-down my favourite part: directing the front cover photoshoot. It’s also the part that gives me the most anxiety. But somehow, every time, our team pulls it off flawlessly.
For this issue, I worked closely with India, our fashion writer, to conceptualise a shoot that captured the essence of print. I imagined bookshops, vintage libraries, antique desks covered in torn pages and teacups. Old money meets creative chaos.
We landed on the Mortlock Chamber at the Adelaide State Library – a location that feels like something out of Hogwarts. Think rich timber, stained glass windows, towering bookshelves. Styling-wise, we planned for academia meets vintage parisian glam: polka dots, vests, pleated skirts, pearls, berets – romantic and timeless.
Concept inspiration and styling pulled from Pinterest
The final styling
Of course, not everything always goes to plan. The Mortlock Chamber, our original location, was unexpectedly closed for renovations, which meant a last-minute pivot. Luckily, we stumbled upon a hidden gem: New Morning Books, a bookstore tucked away and filled to the brim with character. Its overflowing shelves, packed with over 35,000 books, magazines, and artworks, couldn’t have been a more fitting backdrop for our Print Isn’t Dead theme.
Shooting in public spaces is rarely easy, but John, the bookstore’s owner, welcomed us with warmth and generosity. As we captured our cover, he shared stories from his 30-year journey running the shop. There was something poetic about creating imagery for a print-focused issue in a space so steeped in the very culture we were celebrating.
John, owner of New Morning Books and the art lost in books, preserved on his bookshelves
One of the most touching moments was when John told us that many of the secondhand books he collects arrive with old photographs, handwritten lists, or pieces of art tucked inside as a bookmark. These once-forgotten fragments are given new life – John carefully places them along the sides of the shelves, quietly honouring their stories. It perfectly captured the spirit of this issue: preserving stories, celebrating the tangible, and finding meaning in what others might overlook.
The day was long and exhausting, but also energising in the best way. We captured exactly what we needed to honour the beauty of print media – and somehow, it all came together just right.
Final images from our editorial photoshoot
5. Revise Revise Revise!
Once the photos are edited and the articles start rolling in, we move into the revision stage – arguably the most meticulous part of the process. Our writers send in their pieces, and reading them for the first time is always a genuine joy – what a talented group of girls I have! Most of the time, all that’s needed are a few tweaks: a word swap for clarity, a tightened sentence, or the occasional grammar check to ensure everything reads as smoothly as possible.
From there, the articles are passed onto our graphic designer, who begins bringing them to life visually. This is where everything starts to feel real. Seeing the words on the page, paired with photography and design, transforms the content entirely. But design is never a one-and-done job. Headlines shift, image placements get reconsidered, layouts evolve. I’ll often revisit the full draft multiple times, making minor adjustments because let’s be real, my perfectionist brain can’t help it.
6. Share With The World
Finally, the best part: hitting publish (and in this case, print). Sending the final issue out into the world is nerve-wracking, exciting and vulnerable all at once.
Sometimes I still can’t believe The Modern Muse Magazine exists. What began as a small idea has grown into something I’m genuinely proud to put my name to – but none of it would be possible without the incredible team behind it. And to our readers, whether you’re curled up on the couch reading online or flipping through the pages of our first print edition, I hope you feel the same love we pour into every word and image.
Two years in, and we’re only getting started.
Purchase a copy of our limited-edition print issue here.
Read more of our Thought Provoking articles here.
