I’ve already mentioned that I work as a designer for Christian Standard Media, and that we currently publish two magazines – Christian Standard and The Lookout. I’m so excited to give a little behind the scenes look at the creative process behind designing these magazines, but first I think it’s important for you to know what they are!
A little history about The Lookout: It was originally started in 1888 as Young People’s Standard, a journal designed to help promote the work of young adults in the church. In 1894, the name was changed to The Lookout, reflecting a new purpose. They took the name from the “Lookout Committee”, a group of the Christian Endeavor movement, and shifted their focus to promoting Christian education and living.
Fun fact: The Lookout has been printed and shipped across the country and overseas, consistently for over 125 years, with the exception of February 7, 1937, when the Ohio River flooded and they were unable to ship the magazine from the Cincinnati offices.
I know, totally random, but I’m a history major, remember? So I like little tidbits like that.
Last year, we totally redesigned The Lookout. Instead of four individual weekly magazines, we have one issue every four weeks. The study is still weekly, you just don’t have to keep track of four magazines anymore! #simplicity The Lookout is now 9″x 7″ instead of 8.5″x11″, so that you can tuck it in with your Bible for easy reading! We’ve also added plenty of negative space with fun dots for note-taking, so you don’t even need to have a separate notebook.
The Lookout also now provides a weekly study and daily readings – which means that you have the opportunity to read through the whole Bible in one year, and study the whole Bible in 6 years! I know that 6 years initially sounds like a long time, but we’re not talking college-years, where your whole day and night are consumed with studying. (Because that’s how college was for everyone, right . . ? I am absolutely not winking or smirking at all right now.) We’re talking “read a bit everyday”, and in 6 years, you’ve studied the whole Word of God! That’s just pretty incredible when you think about it.
As a designer, I was super excited about all of these changes. I loved the idea of a landscape-layout magazine. I loved the idea of having enough negative space throughout the magazine to allow for note-taking. I loved that we were taking a magazine that’s been around forever and making it relevant for a younger generation. But mostly, I loved these changes as a Bible-studier.
You see, I’m busy.
I know. Everyone’s busy, which is exactly the point.
I love that my next Bible study arrives on my doorstep two weeks in advance. I love that the format is predictable enough that I know how long to allow for my quiet time. I love that we include the daily reading now, so that I can really study my Bible, but also just read a devotional every day. I love that it fits so nicely with my Bible, has space for me to take notes and make doodles, and has nice enough paper that I actually want to use it. I’m so thankful that our team has the reader in mind!
All of the changes we’ve made (and continue to make) are for the reader. Priority #1 of The Lookout is to get people interacting with the Word of God. We don’t just want you to read it, we want you to live it. Get up in there and draw all over those Lookout pages! Make notes like crazy! Because if you’re doing those things, then it means you’re interacting with the Word of God, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
If you’re interested in learning more about The Lookout, I’d love to help you out! If you need a study for your small group, we’d love to help you see if it’s a good fit! If you’re just needing somewhere to start, and think this may be a good place (and you’re absolutely right), don’t wait. There’s never a good reason to put Him on hold. Subscribe at lookoutmag.com, or pop a comment below and I’ll be happy to help!
So, #whythedots? Because we believe that nothing is more important than an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and there’s no better way to get there than by interacting with Him.
You can follow The Lookout on Instagram, Twitter (@lookoutmagazine), and Facebook (/TheLookoutMagazine). And if you already use The Lookout, we want to see how you use the dots!! Post a pic, tag us, and use hashtag #whythedots. I can’t wait to see!
Didn’t know you were a history major!!!
Great article. Thank you for your passion and energy!
Yep! Putting it to good use, right? ? Thanks Allison! Thankful for YOU!
I still don’t understand “why the dots?” How does that relate to interaction? Are we supposed to “connect the dots?” Is that what you mean by “using the dots?”
Sorry for the confusion Emily! Subscribers, by now, are probably familiar with the dots I’m referencing – but if you’re unfamiliar with the magazine, I didn’t explain very well!
Now, instead of just featuring articles to read, we’ve included sections of dot grids as a place for note-taking. The reason we chose to use dots was so that readers may use them however they like! They could be used just like lines, to write notes like you would in a journal. They could be used like a grid to sketch out charts or thoughts or drawings. Or you could ignore the dots entirely, and use the space for whatever you like! The point is that we wanted The Lookout to be something that equips the reader to really interact with the Word of God. So now, you can carry it along with your Bible, and make notes, pictures, whatever, right there in the magazine!
So, when we reference #whythedots, we’re trying to direct the reader back to God. We love that people use The Lookout, and we believe in it with all our hearts, but it’s only job is to point you back to the Word of God. We don’t want you to just read the articles and put it away, we want it to encourage you to dig deeper into His Word, because that’s what it’s all about!
Hope that helps clear things up for you! Thanks for the question!
Thanks for clarification, Megan. Our study group will start the lookout with june issue on the three-month trial plan.
That’s awesome to hear! I’d love to hear what you guys think!