The following two articles are ones that I designed and copy edited for Interfaith of The Woodlands regular The Book The Woodlands magazine. This magazine has very strict design, font, and photography guidelines, so the design had to communicate the ideas of the articles in an understated, bespoke way.

See the full issue, which I copy edited and assisted in getting to print, here: https://issuu.com/interfaithofthewoodlands/docs/tbtw_2018_-_issuu

The following two articles were part of my capstone course for BYU's editing minor. In this course, I was the web manager for the Winter 2017 issue, but I was also required to write and design two articles (below).

Jennifer Egan

Whether or not you’ll ever meet an English inventor, the Swedes are known for their pioneering spirit—just look at Anders Celcius, who invented the 100 point temperature scale, or Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite and founded the prizes named after him. In particular, Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, is a thriving hub where Swedish ingenuity is housed.

Red carpet. Flashing cameras. Designer dresses and white ties. Did the Academy Awards come to mind? Think instead to Stockholm, not Hollywood. Every year on December 10, people across the world flock to this seaside town to celebrate the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death by awarding a little something called the Nobel Prize.

Despite average temperatures as low as 22°F on this day, Stockholm comes alive for the Nobel Prize ceremonies. What used to be just a local event has now become an international spectacle where scientists, doctors, and writers are given the same attention as movie stars. Also in attendance are the royal families of Sweden, members of the Swedish government, and other international guests who represent the scientific and cultural interests of their countries.

Since 1926, the few who are lucky or talented enough to be chosen for prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, or Literature (the Peace and Economics prizes are awarded in Norway) have arrived on the scene at the Stockholm Concert Hall—a tall, graceful building with painted ceilings and a bronze fountain. This hall, or Konserthuset, houses the combined memory of almost a century’s worth of Nobel Prize laureates. Here, with attendees photographed like Hollywood stars, the king of Sweden hands each laureate a medal and a diploma.

As the rest of Stockholm matches the timeless grace of the Konserthuset, it’s no surprise that a Stockholm native like Alfred Nobel had his start in the capital of Sweden. Since 1998, Stockholm has enjoyed its title of European Capital of Culture. With a mixed history of Vikings and inventors, the city has a rich blend of arts and sciences that invites a respect for new ideas. We have Stockholm to thank for famous doctors like Åke Senning, who in 1958 conducted the first implantable pacemaker surgery. 

Stockholm has over 100 museums—it’s one of the most crowded museum-cities in the world! One of these museums (the Vasa Museum) houses the entire seventeenth century warship Vasa, one of the only virtually intact ships from that time ever to have been recovered. Yes, visitors to the museum can see the entire ship. This museum is a testament to the lasting products of Swedish engineering, a tradition inherited by Swedes like the Ljungström brothers, who improved on the Vasa’s technology with their invention of the turbine-powered locomotive. 

Explore some of Stockholm’s infectious viking history by visiting the city’s old town: Gamla Stan. The old town dates back to the thirteenth century, with buildings such as the Royal Palace that seem to leap from a fairytale. Only a few meters away from the palace is a monument known as Järnpojke, or Iron Boy, a charming statue that stands—or sits—at only fifteen centimeters tall. In the winter time, residents leave coins and a hat and scarf to carry him through the cold nights. For a more intimate experience, visitors eat traditional Swedish food at Den Gyldene Freden, which has stood since 1722.

Stockholm doesn’t rest on its laurels when it invites laureates into the country each December. From the museums, the Old Town, the statue of the iron boy, and the pomp and circumstance of the Nobel Prize ceremonies, this Swedish city commands the respect of the ages.

Jennifer Egan

Luckily, it’s possible to visit Qatar without spending a fortune. Winter is the perfect time to visit, too, as the temperatures are still balmy but not blistering—between 63 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Doha, the capital city of Qatar, boasts a thriving cultural scene, with a mix of traditional markets and name-brand shopping centers.

First things first! Find a way to visit The Pearl, Doha’s cluster of man-made islands, named for Qatar’s historic pearling industry. All around are some of the world’s most expensive buildings, creating an environment that mixes a Western commercial economy with Middle Eastern flair. Take the chance to do some window-shopping at some of those name-brand stores, like Georg Jensen or Harmont and Blaine. After that’s done, take a breather by walking along the marina, which is traffic-free. Best of all, the Pearl is family-friendly, boasting weekly Family Fridays events.

After a visit to Doha’s waterfront, find yourself in the Souq Waqif—the standing market. Here tourists can enjoy an up-close-and-personal experience of Qatari culture, but don’t be fooled—although these buildings look over 100 years old, they were actually demolished and rebuilt in 2006 in an effort to preserve the old town. It is the world’s richest country.

Once in the Souq Waqif, there’s plenty to do, and since the market is conducted in a traditional way, haggling is encouraged. The Souq Waqif also has art and cultural exhibitions such as alhmalah—waistcoated men who transport customers’ purchases in wheelbarrows—and Arabian horses, each available for a closer look. Discover traditional Qataran garments, haggle for jewelry, handle a falcon, and buy some spices like saffron to liven up your cooking back home. And since this is a standing market, there’s no fee to enter and there’s no obligation to buy anything. 

Next stop on the affordable Doha trip is the Fanar Islamic Cultural Center (also known as the Spiral Mosque). Here, visitors to Doha can expand their understanding of the culture and religious history of the country. This institution serves to educate foreigners about Qataran and Islamic customs, and it allows entry to non-Muslims. As this is a mosque, take care to respect cultural standards of modesty: wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t expose too much of your arms or legs, and ladies should wear a headscarf.

Finally, one of the most important tourist destinations in Doha is the Museum of Islamic Art. Its design, though unique, blends modern construction techniques with the gravitas of much older buildings. Admission is free, and the museum houses fourteen centuries of Islamic art, from ceramics to textiles and everything in between. The MIA also hosts a variety of cultural exhibitions, including free monthly chamber concerts. The chamber music combined with the breathtaking architecture provides an unforgettable experience.

Qatar may be the richest country in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to visit affordably. On a dime, you can enjoy lavish window-shopping, a boisterous traditional market, communication with the divine, and the traditional art of Doha, a desert pearl.