New, Improved, User-Defined iCiNG?
[ 23 February 2007 ]
I read quite a lot about the future of online publishing & the possibilities within it, & every time I read anything on the topic I find myself completely amped up, super-excited & wondering how I can make iCiNG bigger, bolder, better.
For example, I recently read this, from Ultramobilegeek (an interview with Violet Blue):
Q: Technologically, globally, and philosophically: What would you like to see come out of 2007?
VB: People making media on all levels; self publishing (news, entertainment, reporting) to totally, completely upend mainstream media. I want a total information and entertainment revolution; no more studio systems ripping off talented people and only giving us what’s deemed “safe” by things like the MPAA, and no more filtered news from corporations. mainstream media has all the money and hundred-year histories; we have type and click publishing and relationships with our readers and subjects. I’d like to see that change things.
(In case you haven’t noticed by now, I think Violet Blue is pretty great.)
I am very, very happy with how iCiNG has grown in the two months it has existed — yes, only two months! I started this on December the 16th last year. I recently finished my first e-book & since I did, I have re-evaluating a bit. I absolutely love iCiNG & what we have here… but I have always been a girl with big visions & I find myself wanting more.
I recently wrote up a press page & as I wrote it, I came up with some reasons why I think iCiNG is different to a lot of fashion websites.
Really, I want to know your thoughts. How do you think I could improve iCiNG as a project? Do you want more interaction, a forum, a Flickr group, a Myspace group, a conversational mailing list (in addition to Cupcake which is more a secrets-from-me list)? What do you want to know more about? What do you not really care about? I mean, do you REALLY want to see my daily outfits? Would you like to see reader-submitted articles? Interviews with fashion icons? More videos? Podcasts? Longer or shorter articles? More menswear information?
I have always intended for this to be a community, rather than just a platform for some girl in her platform shoes! At the same time, I want iCiNG to be more dynamic, more compelling, something akin to a religious experience.
This is your baby too. The whole point of it is that I give you what YOU want. So whatcha whatcha whatcha want?
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala 
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Style Survey What Are You Wearing? An International Dress-Up Party Dressing Up What Do You Spend Money On?
i started checking out ur web site afta c ing u on LJ. i realy like to c ur daily outfits and also ur random purchases.may b some info on nails and different shapes and colours etc.
Thanks miss!
Lets see… maybe a few reader-submitted articles to change up the pace!? Hm I’m not sure, I love iCiNG how it already is! Oh, & I like that the length and topic of each article varies.
A forum would be a good idea but also (not sure if there is any way to incorporate but it would be effective if you had a way) do you know any designers (starting out or otherwise) yourself who you think have good taste/make awesome clothes? As I said before not quite sure how it would work exactly but you might be able to combine somehow on some kind of joint project.
I duno I suck hah..
The way i see it iCiNG kinda hangs somewhere between a style magazine and a brand name. i guess it depends what YOUR aim is but from reading i sometimes wonder if you are aiming at being a critic/journalist or a brandname … Do you want to be webVogue or the new HelloKitty? If you want to be a magazine then yes you should get contributers and MODELS! Dress other people up, take pics & filter them in as daily outfits. If you want to be a brand name then merchandise, market & $$$ i think you do have something original and sellable but people don’t wanna pay for info in the information age.
phew, i suffer from bIg opinions as well as bIg visions *o.O!
whatever you do, keep the daily outfits! i looooove ‘em!
I think you should divide your entries into different categories. Like, an Ask Gala section, a Things I Love section, a Useful Ideas section, and more stuff like that… make it more like an all around magazine/resource/multidimensional blog.
I really love it how it is know, but I think that would be really interesting and user friendly.
I love you and this site!!
Thank you everyone for your thoughts! I’ll let you know any changes I make!
Daily outfits are the best bits, so more of that more dress up, More random how to sort of things dress like a rock star who how to do geek chic, 50s glamour android cool, with pictures of you or others trying out the looks, articles about different cultures the history of fashion in those cultures how its updated in modern life with pictures, make up, how to fit art into your wadrobe, or clothes inspired by art, social fashion experiements, dressing up a certain way and going out and see peoples reactions, a bimbo, a spy, a movie star, articles of this and pictures. Also if you are doing an article about anything include pictures of how you incorporate things into your own life or others doing it or things you find inspirational, crazy dramatic pictures and how they inspire fashion, hold a party and take pictures.As you can see I like pictures. incorporating weird things you find or costume items into normal outfits, the transformational aspect of make up bold looks in this area punky geisha makeup etc. looking at cetain designer outfits that you find inspirational and trying to recreate them. If you know anyone with a unique or interesting fashion viewpoint include them, and just more fun.
I looove the daily outfits. They are really inspiring! I like that it is you yourself doing the modelling as well. Please please please keep them! I love the entire site and think its perfect as it is! Its an iCiNG community
I like it as it is…it has a bit of everything. Serious stuff, self-help and advice articles about life in general, daily outfits, shopping, fashion, carousel, idud, style… Nothing is too narrowly defined like it is with normal fashion magazines/websites, which have a tendency to deem only a small portion of the stuff their readers would be interested in “worthy” of talking about.
One thing I really loved was the podcast thing. I think you only did 2, is that right? Please do more! And also, keep the community-driven aspect. I love how your articles generate so many thoughtful, insightful comments!!!