YENIKA Editorial

Sarafina Chea, College of Engineering; Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design

Collaborators: Briana Gonzalez, Pre-Law; David Cano, Pre-Med

YENIKA Editorial is an interdisciplinary initiative that integrates roles from Fashion Design to Web Development to Event Planning to Modeling with a strong focus on media representation and sustainability. This interdisciplinary approach is essential because it allows us to create a holistic experience that resonates across different aspects of fashion and media. By combining these disciplines, we can address complex issues like inclusivity and environmental responsibility in a comprehensive manner, ensuring that our content is not only aesthetically engaging but also socially impactful.

The arts are at the heart of YENIKA Editorial, serving as the vehicle through which we convey powerful narratives. Fashion, as an art form, is the foundation of our magazine, but we extend our artistic reach through storytelling, graphic design, and event curation. These artistic elements are crucial for communicating the beauty of diverse identities and the significance of sustainability in a way that words alone cannot achieve.

As a group project with over 50 individuals involved, we recognize both the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration. The diversity of skills within our team — from creative direction and writing to coding and logistics — allows us to approach the project from multiple perspectives, enriching the final product. However, we are also mindful of the challenges, such as differing communication styles and the need for alignment across disciplines. To address these, we will establish clear roles and maintain open, continuous dialogue through regular meetings and collaborative tools like Slack.

Our project will be carried out over the academic year, starting with the conceptual phase in the fall, where we will solidify our theme and outline content. The winter semester will be dedicated to content creation, including writing, designing, and web development. By spring, we will focus on event planning and executing our end-of-year showcase, which will highlight the stories and artwork featured in the magazine. Each team member will have specific responsibilities, from content creators to event planners, ensuring that the workload is distributed evenly and that deadlines are met.

The expected impact of YENIKA Editorial on campus and the local community is substantial. By providing a platform for underrepresented voices and promoting sustainable fashion, we hope to inspire students and community members to think critically about media representation and the choices they make as consumers. Our events and publications will foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity, encouraging dialogue around these vital issues. Our team is well-equipped to bring this project to fruition. We have skilled designers, writers, developers, models, and more each bringing a wealth of experience and passion to the table. This diverse skill set, combined with our shared commitment to the project’s goals, positions us to successfully execute YENIKA Editorial and make a lasting impact on our community.