A new look.

• Position: UPFRONT - Business magazine redesign

In 1987, I wrote about BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA'S first redesign, "one that's remaking the face of this magazine and, in essence, wiping away a look readers have grown familiar with, perhaps even fond of, after nearly six years." I went on to say; "Such a move, like shedding a wife or taking on a partner, is not something you do lightly."

That new look proved to be a winner, not only with readers but also judges of journalism competitions. It's one reason the Association (now Alliance) of Area Business Publications named BNC the nation's most-improved regional business magazine two years in a row. In 1996, as we prepared to celebrate our 15th anniversary, we had Don Wright, the New York graphic designer who had given us our new look, freshen things up. By that time, his work and our art directors' execution of it had won about a dozen national awards. Since then, their number has grown so large it eludes me. And despite its age, the design still wins prizes. Just this year it was cited in the comments accompanying the silver we won from the AABP for best use of photography and illustration.

But like a business, a business magazine needs to change with the times, so early next year we'll...