Reframe, a local indie magazine founded by NC State alumni Lean Tran and Brianna Pierce, released its first issue on Sept. 6 this year. It draws inspiration from figures such as Angela Strassheim, Maripol and Ruben Masoliver. The North Carolina-based publication serves as a platform to give voice to creatives across the American South.
Tran and Pierce, co-founders of Reframe and alumni, met through Platform, the University’s student-run fashion publication. The two served as editorial directors before becoming co-editors-in-chief and modeling director, respectively.
Tran explained how over brunch, the pair came up with the idea that would eventually become their own publication.
“We were both in the same position of wanting and missing the activity of working towards something creatively. At the same time, I think we were really missing community,” Tran said. “I said it as a joke, but then it quickly became not a joke. We were like, ‘Wait, I think we could actually do this.’”
That same brunch was when they came up with the name Reframe, reflecting their mission to reframe Southern creativity and challenge the notion that artistry only flourishes in places like New York or Los Angeles.
“As a creative being born in the South, it’s like, ‘Oh, you should get out of here. You should go to New York and have your work published out there,’” Tran said. “But I want this magazine to be a place where artists can see their work and be proud of where it’s come from and see it represented in their home.”
Reframe’s team is primarily made up of Tran and Pierce’s friends, many of which are also alumni and former Platform contributors. Among them is layout and graphics director Ellie Bruno, who previously served as a design editor for Technician Vol. 102 through 105 and credits their time there for developing skills in graphic design.
“I just believe in my heart that my time at NC State has just really inspired me to push myself as a creative and I think it does a really good job of fostering creativity, especially through student media,” Bruno said. “I’m really excited to see where Reframe goes. I think it’s a really fun thing and I’m just incredibly thankful to be a part of it, and I’m really thankful to all of the readers.”
For Bruno, the most rewarding part of working on Reframe is seeing all the individual elements come together.
“Doing layout design and publication design, especially with articles, you’re building up these individual little puzzle pieces. It’s creating a story through how things are placed,” Bruno said. “It helps me think about my design as very intentional. Because communication is so important, every single detail should be intentional.”
Looking ahead, Reframe aims to release new issues at least twice a year, continuing to spotlight various artists, designers and writers across the South. Beyond growing the publication, Tran and Pierce hope Reframe inspires others to pursue their own creative projects — no matter where they are.
“Don’t be afraid to lean into your own creativity and to lean into the people around you to build something that you are really passionate about, no matter what it is,” Pierce said. “You don’t have to be in a special place to do something. You can do something right here, right now.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Reframe Magazine or reading their upcoming issues, you can follow their Instagram @reframemagazine or check their website for future updates.
