Rare FM: UnCL Head of Design (Content Editor)

Hi! I'm Katie, and I'd love to be your Head of Design @ UNCL this year! 

I'm a presenter on the station, but (beyond getting to talk about music) one of my favourite aspects of this has been the accompanying design work and promotion I've put into it. Highly creatively fulfilling, I've loved seeing this effort pay off; growing my show and having the opportunity to work with some amazing UCL artists. I really believe in the importance of student radio not only as a means to grow skills and confidence; but as an opportunity to connect creatively with those around you, fostering community and, most importantly, having so much fun. 

I've just been lucky enough to contribute to the latest issue of UNCL on layouts, which has been equally fulfilling and fun. Working collaboratively with UNCL's amazing team has taught me so much I would be thrilled to bring to this role; whether that be the frustrating nitty gritty of indesign (iykyk), or creating striking (and, of course, legible) visuals. Hopefully you'll be able to see some of my work in the latest issue, but if not, I've tried to put together a little portfolio in lieu of my candidate photo. As your Head of Design, I'd love to first and foremost keep up UNCL's amazing work, but also look into a diversity of content; more video work, community-minded social media and UCL artist promotion to name just a few ideas. 

For any questions, or just a chat, you can find me on Instagram @katiesgh0st or through my email [email protected] :)

From the minute I saw a copy of one of the previous UnCL magazines and saw gig reviews of shows I had also been to, pertinent reflections on what music meant to people, and interviews on up and coming bands, I knew it was something I wanted to write for.

Despite my love for music, I'm also law student, which is a very wordy, opinionated and content heavy subject, and throughout the year, I have crafted editorial-like skills such as the ability to communicate ideas with clarity. Studying law, as different as it may seem, has taught me to write more directly, critically and convincingly, which are all transferrable skills into UnCL. It has also given me the skill of reviewing and commenting on other's opinion pieces, which is essential as an editor at UnCL.

Moreover, I have used these transferrable skills in the newest edition of the UnCL magazine, writing about the pertinence of analogue music, in which I felt supported in writing, and really got a sense of the collaboration, which is something I would like to continue if I were to get the position. I also wrote for other publications like the Law Society publication Silk v Brief, which gave me the confidence to adapt my writing to different audiences. 

I do believe that music journalism is how we unpick the deep meanings behind music, and it is a reflective process that allows both writers and readers to relate to music in ways they never thought possible, and create connections with each other through the magic that is music.