Print’s not dead: the best magazines for visual communication motivation

Loknath Das

1. Eye Magazine

Eye Magazine dives profound into the universe of visual depiction and visual culture. It’s scholastic yet open. Established by Rick Poynor in 1990, the magazine is situated in London and its most recent issue, 104, highlights a profile of unbelievable craftsmanship chief fashioner Peter Knapp, an outline of Pentagram’s update of The Philadelphia Inquirer, and an element on movement plan by proofreader John L. Walters. The following issue turns out in late October.

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2. Communication Arts

Founded in 1959 by Richard Coyne and Robert Blanchard, Communication Arts remains one of the premier sources of inspiration for graphic designers around the globe today. It showcases the best in visual communications, from typography to illustration and everything in between. The publication is based in California and covers graphic design, advertising, illustration, photography, interactive design and typography.

The latest issue (64; Sep-Oct 2023) features the award-winning projects from its Annual Design Competition, along with in-depth profiles of Toronto-based animation studio Polyester Studio and São Paulo ad agency Leo Burnett Tailor Made, along with articles on advertising and design.

Why It Inspires: Apart from its meticulously curated content, the magazine itself is a testament to the power of good design, with every page exuding creative brilliance.

3. Idea

Idea is a magazine about graphic design and typography published quarterly in Tokyo. Founded in 1953 by Okumura Yukimasa, it’s a bilingual publication written in Japanese, but many of its texts also appear in English. It’s available in both print and digital editions.

The latest issue, 403, is titled ‘Typeface Design for the Voice of the World: The Works of Toshi Omagari’. This special issue focuses on a number of typeface designers who transcend traditional typeface design and calligraphy practices. It approaches history through the reprinting and re-engraving of European typefaces, features examples of custom typeface production and extensive collaboration, and shows the development of unique applications and digital devices for various typefaces and systems.

Why it inspires: Idea’s design is a play on colours, layouts, and paper types, creating a one-of-a-kind printed product. The magazine examines different creative scenes both locally and internationally, showcasing the works of Japanese designers from various regions, highlighting Arabic typographers, and more.