On Feb. 13, Six Degrees magazine released its first edition. The magazine will mark the first published work produced solely by graphic design students. Caroline Okun, the founder of Six Degrees magazine, first developed the idea for the publication after looking at Fishwrap magazine produced by the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. Okun wanted to develop the same concept here so students could show off their work. The idea for the magazine started last April. Okun’s initial idea was to have six issues, but settled for one to show the work of the fall semester.

“I think it’s positive to highlight other people’s work in such a good way,” Sarah Ensminter, a friend of Okun’s and a senior in graphic design, said.

Okun said she believed that students in the College of Design “do so much work and create something they might not necessarily want to put in a portfolio.”

She said she felt Six Degrees magazine would be a good way to show new work and “to let people know what’s going on and keep up with alumni,” Okun said. “I wasn’t sure if they accepted freshman work, but I submitted anyway,” Britt Cobb, a freshman in graphic design, said. “The magazine itself is pretty much just a way for fellow graphic designers to exhibit their work among other their classmates and professionals.” Okun’s passion for design started at an early age.

“I wanted to go to art school since middle school, but my parents didn’t approve,” Okun said.

Instead of attending her desired art school, she settled in at UNC-Chapel Hill where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After Okun graduated she went to work, but soon realized she could make her own decisions and knew that path in life was not for her.

Okun went back to college, and pursued another bachelor’s degree, but this would be in graphic design. Okun created a magazine that would highlight all the work the graphic design students are doing.

“The magazine is predominantly design but also contains a couple of written pieces, but all about design,” Okun said.

Along with the magazine the Web site sixdegreeszine.com can be used as a tool for designers in the area. The site hosts a blog and bulletin board where companies or individuals can post jobs or internships. The Web site lists a lengthy directory of contributors that have put their work in the magazine. Many of the links are interactive, taking the user to the artist’s personal Web site or the contributor’s e-mail address.

“We’re very proud and wanted to express what others have done around school of design”, Colleen Simon, a senior in graphic design, said. After a strong start, Okun said she wants to “keep going with this.” She is developing the magazine further and talking with juniors about sharing some of the managerial tasks. “Six Degrees is more about process. It allows people to make designs for themselves and just to do it,” Travis Stearns, a junior in graphic design, said. Okun hopes to publish the magazine twice per year. Her plans will be to highlight the work of the fall and spring semester, but she feels it “doesn’t have to be the same every time.”

“Six Degrees responds to a necessary ingredient to good design, sharing ideas. Bringing good ideas together with committed idea mechanics stimulates a vital interaction that keeps design fresh,” Jamie Valhouli, a senior in graphic design, said. “This in-turn keeps the school fresher, the [college] fresher and the world better, as our fresh ideas will be called on to make this world last.” Six Degrees magazine is printed by lulu.com and as of right now can be purchased on the Web site at sixdegreeszine.com. A print issue of the magazine is $19.95 and anyone can download a soft digital copy to his or her computer for $3.12.