The Creative Group, Editorial Features Writer and Creative Assistant (2013- 2016)
In 2013 a new property industry publishing company, The Creative Group, was launched with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg. I was brought on as a features writer and creative assistant. I worked remotely and was responsible for the lifestyle, design, news, trends and decor features on three titles, Real Estate Magazine, Business Day Homefront and the Sunday Times Your Neighbourhood.
It was the former, Real Estate Magazine, where I was given a lot of creative licence, and took on more than just writing. I was responsible for the production of the shoots as well as editorial direction of the features. As the main consumer title in the publishing stable, the target market was broad with a lot of focus on attracting a younger more urban reader segement.
Creative Collective
These features focused on up and coming creatives in the South African architecture, interior design and styling industries. They were profile pieces formatted in a Q&A narrative. Not only did I research the people chosen for the features but I produced them too, liasing with photographers, stylists and PR consultants.
Young Urbanists
This was a 2-part special feature that focused on a slew of young, up-and-coming movers and shakers transforming the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town. From fashion designers, to guerilla gardeners, to architects, urban planners and social impact pioneers. I was given full creative license to produce and compile these features.
Commercial Spaces
These features looked at new commercial spaces in Cape Town, which all had a creative edge; from art galleries to collaborative work and restaurant spaces. I was responsible for the production of the shoots as well as the editorial copy.
Lifestyle
The main feature for each issue was a lifestyle article about an influential South African. It was a snapshot into their lives from their homes to their place of work. Like with the other features, I produced all the shoots and editorial copy.
Trends & News
Other stalwart features of each issue were the upfront news pages, which was a curated selection of the newest lifestyle products, places and brands, both South African and international. The trend pages were a big drawcard for advertisers as they were a curation of various products and services hinged around a different theme every month, like Kitchen and Bathroom trends. These features were research-intensive and often included Q&A’s with experts in the design and architectural fields.
Business Day Homefront (2014- 2016)
Business Day Homefront is a fortnightly supplement in South Africa;s biggest daily business newspaper. It focuses on news and trends in the South African property and real estate industry. I was a contributing lifestyle features writer where the articles I covered ranged from new and interesting creative commercial spaces, trends in urban design and sustainability as well as focus pieces on various neighbourhoods in Cape Town.
