The Minds Behind MUSE XVII
MUSE is very much a passion project for our 60+ person team, each team playing an integral role in creating the latest volume. With our print issue launching in less than two weeks, you may begin to wonder how the issue comes together. From photo shoots to articles, layout to ads, our team works tirelessly all year to produce the best content we possibly can. In anticipation for our launch (Nov 29th!! Come one, come all!!) we want to introduce you to the leaders of our team - the individuals who are spearheading our initiatives to ensure MUSE can reach its full potential.Meet the heads. They are the masterminds behind our publication, but many of them are in science-based programs. (Reminiscent of Unlikely Creatives, perhaps?) We highly suggest indulging us and reading on - we promise there are some fantastic stories. And hey, if you're looking to build some skills in photography or graphic design, now you know who to ask.
PAIGE
Head of Layout - 4th Year, PHE
You are in PHE but your role on MUSE couldn’t be more opposite. Why did you choose your major? What encouraged you to get involved in such a creative way? I chose my major due to my love for athletics and working with children! At 16, I had no clue about what I wanted to be when I “grew up”. I knew that I would continue to practice art on the side and being in PHE wouldn’t limit my creative side. Queen’s has provided me with so many incredible opportunities to express my creativity while studying Phys-Ed. I was encouraged to get involved in MUSE by friends who thought I would thrive in this environment and knew I was always looking for an opportunity to be creative!Tell me your life story.Woah. I have always lived in Toronto with my parents and my sister, Lolo. I have my black belt in karate and play right wing in hockey. At one point in my life, I owned 18 hamsters (all named after Harry Potter characters) and a crested gecko named Taco. I eat a lot of steak and potatoes and get through crazy times with watercolour breaks and lots of Maggie Rogers. Right now I am in my final year at Queen’s and have no clue what is coming up next.Where do you find your muse?Everywhere! I am inspired by music, other artists, my friends and family, EVEN ridiculous Youtube videos. The world is such a cool and ever-changing place that blows my mind every day.Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?My Grandpa. He was one of the first people in my life to introduce me to art and was always encouraged me to be creative. His sense of humour and driven personality is what persuaded me to follow my artistic passions and explore art further. He was one of my biggest hockey fans and my favourite person to share stories with over a slice of blueberry cheesecake.
VICTORIA
Head of Creative Editorials - 4th Year, Life Sci
This role is unconventional for the program you are enrolled in. why did you choose MUSE as a creative outlet? how do you think it will help you in future years?Although I chose to study science, my creativity and love for the arts have always prevailed. Music, art and most importantly, fashion, have always had a place in my heart and still continue to shine through in all that I do. I chose MUSE as a creative outlet because it gave me the opportunity to express my creativity in a way that I had never been able to before. Being in science, there aren’t very many opportunities to share my creative inspirations, thoughts, and ideas. However, I was lucky enough to find MUSE and to be part of a team that encourages self-expression and helps me to push my creative limits. MUSE gave me the chance to develop my love for fashion through styling and direction of creative editorials. MUSE has already helped me in such a tremendous way and I am certain that the experiences I’ve had on MUSE will continue to help shape my future. It has allowed me to express my true self and to not be afraid to do so. I’ve learned to value the things that make me different and have become more comfortable going against the norm. It has given me the confidence to move outside of my comfort zone and it has taught me that it is okay to be vulnerable at times and to open yourself up to the people and things around you. Tell me your life storyI was born in Toronto and then moved slightly north to Richmond Hill, where I grew up for most of my childhood. My creative side developed early, as I grew up singing, playing instruments, and taking art classes. I also developed a love for athletics and sports such as volleyball and rugby. I graduated from high school at Holy Trinity School and then chose to study Life Sciences at Queen’s. I am now in my final year and although I’m sad to see undergrad come to an end, I’m excited for what’s to come! Now it would be cruel of me not to shout out my family in my “life story” as they have played such a big role in shaping me into the person I am today. They have been my biggest supporters through every journey and obstacle and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.Where do you find your muse?Although I find inspiration in many different things, traveling has become one of my biggest muses recently. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel and explore many different countries. Wandering through unfamiliar streets and getting lost, immersing myself in the culture, and trying local cuisine are what spark creativity and a desire to express myself. For example, this past summer traveled around Japan for 2 weeks and not only was I inspired while on vacation, but I also saw aspects of the Japanese culture creep its way into my life when I returned home. I also think that part of the inspiration I gather from traveling stems from my love of nature and being outside. There’s something real and serene about being outdoors that really speak to me. I always get these “ah-ha” moments when I’m surrounded by nature that provides me with inspiration.What are you most passionate about? how are you able to engage with that on a daily basis I would say I am most passionate about ensuring positivity and happiness in my own life and in the lives of those around me. This is something that I’ve only recently been able to accomplish, however in doing so, I’ve noticed such a change in my overall health and well-being. I do this by surrounding myself with people who I love and who support me. I engage in activities that I actually enjoy (like MUSE!!), appreciate the things that I have and try not to get caught up on the little things. Ultimately, I am passionate about promoting personal well-being and advocating for mental health!
SAM
Head Editor - 4th Year, English/Psych
As an English student, can you tell us what makes a good writer? A compelling storyteller? Do you need to have a niche or can you cover it all? I think you just need a distinct voice and refreshing ideas. It’s important to be clear, also, because a lot of people like to make their writing sound fluffy but that just confuses readers. Compelling storytellers can make something out of nothing, which is a lot of the time what writing is. I think you can cover it all, but you’ll probably be best at stuff that really interests you or gets you riled up. You write for both MUSE and The Journal. How do our publications differentiate? How are they similar? MUSE is mostly human interest and can cover any topic, whereas The Journal—at least my section—is more history- or news-related stories that have to relate specifically to students at Queen’s. They’re similar since they’re aimed at the same demographic and sometimes ideas get pitched to both. Also, there are lots of different sections in each so they’re both pretty diverse. I think MUSE is just a bit more arts-geared and The Journal is geared more towards news. Where do you find your muse? It sparks when circumstances in my life change. If I gain a lot of free time, or if a lot of my time starts to be occupied by something new, I feel a sense of renewed inspiration. I think you have to keep things changing in your life in order to feel inspired.
ZOE
Head of Photography - 5th Year, Civil Engineering
This is your second year as Photography Head. What do you do to encourage young photographers to learn and hone their craft? What should people do in preparation for applying next year?I just encourage young photographers to learn as much as they can. Photography is unique to the individual and so experimenting is the most important part. You don’t have to do anything the way other people do. Don’t be afraid to make the same friend model over and over again to try out a new thing you learned (everybody loves a good insta).Tell me your life story.I was born in San Antonio, Texas and grew up painting with my dad and eating Mexican food. I moved to Toronto when I was 17 and decided on Queen’s for science. Since being at Queen’s, I’ve transferred programs 4 times and am now happily settled in Civil Engineering. Although I don’t think the degree you’re in dictates the person you are, I think it has the ability to shape how you think.Where do you find your muse?I definitely find inspiration in a lot of things - others, travelling, feelings, etc. I don’t ever like to stick to one way of doing things.You started in sciences and then transferred to Eng. What was the hardest part of the process for you? Why did you make that switch?Yes! I did. I transferred because I always knew I loved sciences but I never really understood why or what part of it I enjoyed. At Queen’s, I discovered that I loved the application of science. How I learn things now is different than the way I learned things in general science because now my professors say: “here’s why we are learning it and here is who we will help in the process of using it.” I loved being challenged to think in new ways and come up with unique solutions to problems.The hardest part for me I think was being told I couldn’t. As cliche as it sounds if you work hard at anything you can do it (including calculus and physics).
ANNA
Head of Events - 2nd Year, Political Studies with Global Development Studies Minor
As the youngest “Head,” what do you attribute your confidence to? Do you ever feel intimidated, and if so, how do you minimize those feelings? For a while, I really didn’t have much confidence in my position because of my age – especially when I was in first year. Confidence is something that I’ve developed over time and now I almost never think about my age in relation to the other heads. When I do feel intimidated I remind myself that I was hired for my position because others have confidence in me and that I need to show the same confidence in myself. This summer I read the Confidence Code by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay that talks about a lot of the gender traps that inhibit women’s confidence. If I ever feel intimidated by something, I go back to some of the lessons and ideas in that book. I am also very lucky to have a wonderful support network! In comparison to your Arts high school, what is it like being at Queens? Why is the creative community important to you? Weirdly enough a lot of people from my high school ended up at Queens, so a lot of my friends are the same as they were in high school. A lot of MUSE is made up of students from my high school as well, which is definitely funny, as I kind of chose Queen’s for a change of pace from my high school. Prior to coming to Queen’s I didn’t think that there would be as much of a creative community as there is, so I’m really glad that I found MUSE and other outlets on campus. I have always found creative communities to be a part of my life and I’m not really sure I can pinpoint why. In terms of the importance of these communities, I think that more than anything, creativity is an opportunity for me to express my sense of self and have fun. Tell me your life story. I’m part of a family of four (plus three cats), with two very creative parents, which has definitely lent itself to my own endeavours. Throughout my childhood, I was always involved in performing arts and really loved it. I also studied Drama at my arts high school. Up until I was 12 or 13, I was convinced that I would grow up to be a Hollywood actress, but now I just consider myself to be someone with an appreciation for theatre. Summer camp was also a huge part of my life growing up. Prior to coming to Queen’s, I lived in Toronto my whole life and always considered myself a “big-city girl” but have really fallen in love with Kingston in the past year. I chose to study politics and global development at Queen’s because of my interests in female empowerment and human rights issues. I am also doing a Certificate in Business, which is something I never would have imagined doing prior to starting at Queen’s. My big loves in life are podcasts, my Bialetti espresso maker, and DECIEM products. Where do you find your muse? I find my muse in the amazing team at MUSE! The experience of working together and feeding off of everyone’s creative energy and ideas is what fuels the magazine and my own creativity.
RYLEIGH
Head of Marketing - 4th Year, Health Studies & Media Certificate
One of your hobbies is yoga. How did you start practicing?I started practicing yoga at the end of my first year. It was something I was interested in pursuing when I stopped dancing competitively. I never was drawn to regular yoga because I never felt like my body was working hard enough. That’s when I started practicing hot yoga. Hot yoga makes me feel alive and challenges me physically and mentally. I have been practicing yoga for 3 years now and I find I am able to transfer my practice on my mat into my life.How has it changed your perspective on health and self-care?If anything it has opened up my perspective to the power of spiritual healing in relation to self-care. Self-care is extremely important, especially in the midst of being busy with school and life. Prioritizing self-care is something I take seriously and I can thank yoga for giving me the strength and ability to understand this. Ultimately, yoga has opened my mind up to a world of endless opportunities and given me a foundation to keep building on. I use to always think about what was next in my life. After practicing yoga it taught me to live in the moment and enjoy what I have in the NOW. This was something that was extremely beneficial to my self-care. I found myself worrying less and enjoying life more.[gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="10784,10785"]Where do you find your muse?People are my muse. I have a passion for creating content that accurately represents individual stories. I love what life has to offer and I recognize that every person comes from somewhere, ultimately carrying their own story. My muse stems from their stories and then my passion is finding creative ways to curate content that best describes and represents them.If you could go back in time and be a frosh again, how would you change the past four years?If I could go back in time and be a frosh again I would tell myself to keep enjoying every single moment and opportunity Queens has to offer. It sounds cliché but these have been the best four years of my life and I wouldn’t trade any experience for the world. I believe that everything I have done and the people I have met have all happened for a reason and have helped shaped me into the person I am today. If I could go back I think I would tell myself that as you get older time only goes faster, which means do as much as you possibly can and throw yourself into everything and anything that sets your soul on fire. Truthfully, I wish I could rewind the clock and live it all again.
LAURA
Chief Business Officer - 4th Year, Religious Studies
You’re new to the MUSE team. What were some qualities that you wanted to bring into the business team and the overall publications? This year, I’m trying to induce a passion in the team for allowing people to use art to express themselves. I find that art is an incredibly powerful method of storytelling, and allows us to connect to each other on an entirely different level. I appreciate art, but furthermore, I wanted to induce spaces where everyone could feel that their voice was heard and that they could express themselves, whether that be through ideas, event-planning, creative graphics, photography, or writing - anything! I think that in this way, I wanted to increase the accessibility of MUSE as a platform that students can use - the whole team is constantly excited about what young people can create, and I want to bring out the pathways that we offer to students, to amplify these voices into the community.What do you hope to see us publish in the next few months?In the next few months, I am really excited to see the topics that the team chooses to chat about in the podcast sessions! These sessions began this year, and I think that the conversational-based method of unraveling our ideas allows for the stories that we tell to be less edited and less filtered - more unhinged. Whatever we’re unraveling, I think podcasts put out a rawness that students can really relate to.What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done in your life?The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is probably organizing a feminism movement challenging over-sexualized and gendered dress coding, which ultimately led to policy changes throughout some Ontario school boards. Leaping out of your comfort zone is TOTALLY worth it.Tell me your life story.(What a massively overwhelming question LOL) Born in London Ontario, I grew up being involved in theatre, playing the piano, guitar, and alto saxophone. I’ve always seen creativity through performance as my most valuable quality - from arts and crafts as a kid to organizing art spaces now. I guess my life story is essentially learning that 1) I am undoubtedly free spirited 2) I need to tell the folks at Mucho Burrito to add extra cilantro like ten times to get the amount that I prefer 3) accept any and all ways that we express ourselves 4) goodness is everywhere if you’re willing to absorb it.I’m still figuring everything out right now and loving every minute of the process - ask me this in ten years and I’ll probably have more of a life philosophy for you.Where do you find your muse?I find my MUSE in spaces of absolute freedom and lack of expectation, where we can shed our senses of normalcy and embrace the explorative sides of ourself that induce passion. Usually, I’ve found this in cultures that I’ve visited through my travels that have introduced me to these open spaces and alternative ways of thinking, seeing, living. At Queen’s, I find these spaces in MUSE.. and my record player. :)
STEFAN
Head of Finance/Sponsorship - 5th Year, LifeSci & Certificate of Business
After serving on ASUS, how has the transition been to a “normal” student status, and being an active participant in a non-school government club? What are some major differences that you see? Now that you aren’t in that sphere, what would you want ASUS to do?The transition hasn’t been all that extreme, aside from the extra free time I have on my hands! After my term as the ASUS Vice President last year, it’s been nice to slow down and get involved in activities outside my comfort zone. To be honest, I’ve never been involved with an organization as creatively inclined as MUSE; I’ve found the individuals I work with think differently than the analytical individuals I encounter in most of my science classes and extracurriculars. I’ve loved getting involved in a completely different group of people, getting to know another corner of the Queen’s community that so many people identify and interact with. Plus, the upgrade to my insta game has been pretty sweet.To be honest, I feel as if I was just as much as a student in ASUS as I was outside the job. Compared to most student government jobs you may find in the AMS, the ASUS Executive and senior team (Who are all paid employees) typically take at least 3 courses a semester. I found this helped ground both me and the entire ASUS team last year, as we were never completely separated from the student experience. ASUS is a highly innovative, forward-thinking, agile working environment. With over 2000 volunteers, ASUS touches the lives of almost every Arts & Science student, most of whom don’t even realize they’re a part of such a large organization. All I hope is that society maintains these traits and their connection with the student experience.Tell me your life story.I was born on a summer day in Vancouver, BC. Growing up very rooted in my Croatian and Italian heritage, I spent my first few years growing up in Canada and then moved to San Jose, California. After spending a few years stateside, I moved back to Vancouver and settled spent my shy, awkward and extremely lanky childhood at Holy Cross Elementary. I continued into my shy, awkward and extremely lanky teen years at St. Thomas More Collegiate, becoming the Team Captain for my Track and Field team and traveling across BC, Washington and Oregon to compete. Among many other extracurriculars, I was the Sr. Girls Volleyball manager and got the amazing opportunity to travel to Peru to participate in a mission trip with a few of my classmates. After a red-eye flight to Toronto, I toured Queen’s, fell in love with the campus, and decided: If I could be this happy here running on no sleep, this must be the school for me. I was absolutely right – since lining up to receive my res keys in Vic Hall, I’ve loved every second at this school. I arrived a bright-eyed, optimistic student, with hopes of becoming a surgeon (Very unique!). And after five years, some late nights, a few career changes and a list of extracurriculars so long I can’t fit them all on my LinkedIn, I’ll be leaving at the end of this year to pursue Management Consulting at KPMG in their IT Advisory practice in Toronto.Where do you find your muse?As someone not on the creative end of MUSE, you may think sponsorship job doesn’t involve creativity. However, I leverage creativity in my approach to solving problems both with MUSE and my everyday life. I would say I find my muse through things that inspire me, calm me down and make me happy: cool music, dope clothes, good food, travel blogs I follow on Instagram, going for a swim and connecting with my culture & family.Are you smart, or do you work hard?Combination of both. Being smart offers me opportunities, hard work allows me to capitalize on those opportunities.
KARINA
Creative Director - 4th Year, Biology
Losers Weepers is now a really hype business on campus, with bi-weekly drops generating a lot of attention. How important is vintage shopping for you? How do you determine and curate what you are selling?Vintage shopping only really became a part of my life in university, once I had started to develop my own personal style and aesthetic. I love vintage for so many reasons, but mostly because it’s a really fun way to shop sustainably. I love that I can stay on trend without supporting the fast fashion industry or breaking the bank, and I love the ~thrill~ that comes with not knowing what you’re gonna find. Starting Losers Weepers with my co-founder Kara was just an extension of that love for vintage shopping and everything it stands for. I think what makes vintage so cool is that unique, one-of-a-kind quality that you don’t have with shopping at the mall; it’s like treasure-hunting. We wanted our website to elicit that feeling of excitement, but make it more accessible to the average university student. We try to curate our clothing to be exclusively those stand-out pieces; we know our customers want unique and fashionable clothing, so we try to ensure every item we sell on the site fits that criteria.Tell me your life story.I was born in England, and moved to Ireland and Switzerland before settling in Bermuda at age 5. I lived there until age 16 when I went to boarding school in Toronto, and then Queen’s to study biology. Both my parents are Italian, which was a nationality I didn’t really feel very connected to until this past summer. I spent 2 months as an au-pair for a family in this small town in Italy and for the first time I really discovered and connected to my Italian background. I have Canadian and Italian citizenship but not Bermudian, which has always made the question “where’s home?” weird to answer because I don’t really feel like any of those places are truly home. But I think that’s not as depressing as it sounds – I feel lucky, in a way, to not be held down to one home base, and I think it makes me a lot more down to go wherever life takes me.Where do you find your muse?All over… I’m definitely a visual person, so I find inspiration everywhere from movies to magazines to Instagram.As the creative director, you’re in control of the implementing the muse aesthetic into every facet of our brand. In your opinion, what makes a good magazine, a good image, a good “branding”? I think it’s all about understanding your readers and their boundaries and then pushing them a bit. I think magazines have such a huge influence on setting standards in the public: whether that’s beauty standards, fashion, or anything really. That’s why things like representation is so important; I believe magazines have a responsibility to push the norms of society. I think aesthetics are a lot less about superficial details like colour schemes and more about setting the tone and message of your publication through its articles and art. It’s about connecting with your readers, but also going above and beyond what’s expected – it’s that kind of authenticity and creativity that makes MUSE such a cool and necessary publication on campus.
JANE
Online Director - 3rd Year, Psychology
From modelling to writing to editing, it seems like you’re capable of doing it all. What “field” of fashion and fashion writing have you learned the most in? Which one do you think you’ve felt the most comfortable in? Which one makes you the most uncomfortable? Wow, you flatter me. I don’t know if I can “do it all,” but I am lucky to have the opportunity to explore this industry in a multitude of facets.In terms of writing, fashion writing - which includes covering trends, styling notes, critiquing collections, and dissecting current culture - is where I’ve learned the most as it requires an immense amount of historical, cultural, and sociological knowledge. The best articles reference the confounds that created the latest trend, whether that be the normcore phenomenon or the widespread yearning for Phoebe-era Celine. You need to be just as well-versed in archival pop culture as current affairs. In order to place a narrative on why we are gravitating towards certain styles, colours or attitudes, you have to understand the psyche of the consumer and the design house. Writing is where I am comfortable. It allows me to rework a thought or idea over and over and over again until I can articulate it the way I want to. Plus, my mind is restless, which aligns perfectly with the nature of the industry. You have to be looking for the next big thing and publish consistently in order to stay relevant.Modelling was the most challenging role I have been in. I was young and vulnerable and didn’t know how to be patient. There’s a sense of urgency in the business; they call it hurry-up-and-wait. Your agents are always calling you, sending you on castings and go-sees, but often you won’t hear back from the client, or the work you do won’t come out for months, or you need X amount of tear sheets to get a visa for international markets, so you have to hope the jobs you get will qualify. You put the fate of your career in the hands of your management and the clients they have and hope the universe will be in your favour.As a model, you have to learn to be adaptable, to be resilient, and to be confident in every situation. You cannot compare yourself or feel down when you don’t get a job. Sometimes you won’t work for months and then work everyday for 3 weeks straight. None of it makes sense. Whether or not you’re cast could come down to whether the PR agency is lending out your shoe size, or if your eye colour is compatible with the Lightroom preset they want to use. There was too much uncertainty and ambiguity within that role for my personality, which is ultimately why I left it. I had so much anxiety - I took things way too personally. And perhaps it was my age, but I felt like I couldn’t creatively collaborate in the same way styling or directing or writing allows me to. I was scared that the teams I was working with, typically made up of individuals at least 15 years my senior, would be annoyed if I went rogue with my posing or suggested an idea. After all, I wasn’t hired for my thoughts, I was hired to be a moving mannequin. I didn’t want to stay in that realm - I wanted to be the one calling the shots.Tell us your life story.I was born and raised in Toronto and have lived in the same house my entire life. My dad is from England, and I think there is something in my genes that needs me to go back there. Whenever we visit, I feel more grounded, more like myself.I have an older brother whom I often refer to as my twin as we are only a year apart. I think being so close an age allowed our personalities to develop in a complementary manner. In our “shared” environment, I’m definitely louder, goofier and incredibly type-A. Jack is more laid-back, logical and very calm. He’s helped me get through a lot - I honestly don’t know what I would do without him. I was really athletic as a kid, enrolling in competitive soccer before I even started grade school, and finally settling on volleyball as a teenager, competing at an elite level. In grade 10, I actually came to Queen’s to meet the volleyball coach here - I was a part of this national training program and had my heart set on playing at least varsity, potentially beyond. However, that summer, my family and I went to London for a month because my brother was working there, and I just couldn’t see myself doing anything else but fashion. When we came home, I signed with an agency and worked locally in Toronto for two years before taking a gap year and moving to Milan to work full-time. I am so grateful for that opportunity: I got to work with incredible artists, meet the magazine editors I idolized, travel to surrounding towns and countries, and really shift my perspective on myself and the world. I moved back home in March of 2016 and decided that I needed a break from the industry. I visited family friends in Washington DC for the rest of the spring and then enrolled at Queen’s that September. Where do you find your muse? Everywhere. I love to look at my environment - landscapes and nature and the architecture of the cities I visit. I love to read and will write down unusual words that evoke emotions beyond their direct meaning or connotation. I love to meet new people and try to see the world from their eyes. The more you are willing to learn, and the more open you become to what is around you, the more magic you’ll find. If you could go back in time to talk to your younger self, what would you tell them to write about? I would tell myself to keep a journal of the thoughts and anxieties that pass through my mind on a daily basis. I think using writing as a therapeutic tool would’ve helped me gain a greater sense of self as a teenager. I really struggled to fit in with what was “cool” and my writing was based on what I thought other people would want to read. When I left that structured social environment, I didn’t know who I was independent of the labels I fell under in high school. It took me a long time, and a lot of introspection, to figure that out.
LUCIE
Editor in Chief - 4th Year, Film
Tell me your life story.I have always been incredibly curious. My curiosity has sparked many different interests throughout my life – I went from being an aspiring actress, to a sports freak, to a cupcake entrepreneur, to a trans-Atlantic sailor. When I entered my first year at Queen’s, I was set on going to Medical School – by December of second year, I had decided to switch my major from Health to Film and Media. Now that I’ve stopped baking cupcakes and sailing around the world I spend my spare time listening to Podcasts, watching Shark Tank and dancing (drinking?) with my friends.I can’t answer a question about my ‘life story’ without also mentioning my parents. As an only child, I am very close to both my mom and dad. I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up with two parents who have cultivated a career for themselves that they love. As successful business owners in a creative space, their mentality about work (and life) has always inspired me to pursue my passions.What draws you to MUSE? What is your favourite kind of content that we publish?There are so many things that draw me to MUSE. I love that MUSE offers a space for creatives on campus to collaborate and create incredible things. I love the fact that a majority of the people on our team are studying subjects deemed ‘not-artistic’ and yet are some of the most talented and creative people I’ve ever met. And I love the content we publish… One of my favourite types of content are articles that remind students that they are not alone. It’s hard to be a young adult going through something tough (whether it be mental health challenges, heartbreak or fear of the future) because it often feels like you’re the only one experiencing it. MUSE publishes a lot of content, both online and in print, shattering that idea and reminding students that others are facing the same challenges that they are. Reading about another person’s experience with something you are struggling with is extremely therapeutic, I think there is a lot of power in that.There is also so much creative content we publish that I love. Last year, our online director Anna Stainsby allowed her boyfriend to style her for a week as an online experiment. Just this week our current online director Jane Bradshaw, published our first online-exclusive editorial with Vogue Charity Fashion Show. The creative editorial shoots that fill the pages of our print issue are always breathtaking. Just a couple of my other all-time favourite MUSE online articles… http://www.muse-magazine.com/what-health-means-to-me/http://www.muse-magazine.com/חי-means-life/http://www.muse-magazine.com/everyone-you-know-is-living-a-double-life/
What was your first memory of being creative?I have so many memories of being creative when I was young – however, method acting at age 8 takes the cake as my favourite. When I was in grade 3 I was cast as Cinderella in my school production of the play. One morning after I was cast my mom came downstairs around 6AM, only to find me on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor with dish soap. I was wearing a handkerchief and an apron. When my mom asked me what I was doing, I rolled my eyes and told her I was “getting into character”. You’re approaching the editor-in-chief position from a very business POV - you were the marketing head of Muse last year, and you worked at a PR agency this summer. How do you think your background benefits you in your current role? What were the biggest challenges you have faced so far?I believe being able to look at things from a business perspective is important in my role because I am able to look at the magazine really holistically. We’re not just a print magazine or an online platform, but we’re also a (non-profit) business. Each portfolio of the organization informs the others. We give out our magazine for free – and our business team has to work hard to make that happen. By having an understanding of what each portfolio needs to be successful, I am able to do my job better.
One of the biggest challenges that I have faced so far is dealing with the quick turnaround we have for MUSE’s print issue. After we receive our article pitches we have about one month to get the articles written, edited, photography shot and for the entire magazine to be laid out. It is truly a team effort and everyone has to hustle. Working with fast timelines is something I had to do a lot in the summer. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?Jeez. Hard question. 5 years from now, I see myself in a (shoebox) apartment in Toronto or New York, with as much natural light as my bank account will allow. Ideally, I will be working in the PR, marketing and advertising space. I also see myself having some sort of passion project/side hustle. 10 years from now… Maybe I will have just started my own business? Be married? Have a baby? I can honestly say I have no idea where I will be in the next 10 years. All I can hope is that I am doing something I am passionate about, and surrounded by people I love – might be corny, but it’s the truth!Where do you find your muse?Everywhere. I am constantly inspired by the people I surround myself with, the books I read, podcasts I listen to and the things I watch.
