You Can't Miss

I'm currently obsessed with The Fader Magazine. I've just recently started to pick up issues of this specialized publication, which features music, culture, and fashion topics for an alternative crowd in the range of 18-30 years old. Their writing is edgy and often surprising. They slip in references to using drugs and partying that make the whole thing seem more acceptable than it did when you had "the talk" with your parents. Best part of all: it is one of the best hubs for underground, and popular music and talent I have come across yet.

In a recent story by Caroline McCloskey, young rappers were the theme. In reference to one of the craziest music festivals showcasing California rap, McCloskey used this as her lead...

"Admission to the fame party‚ that 24/7 bacchanal of tangled limbs, free shit, Schedule IV drugs, paparazzi strobe, chlamydia, tiger pets, emotional illiteracy, macchiatos and mug shots‚ always follows its own inscrutable metric."


The photo accompanying the story, by Jason Nocito, was haunting and original. The black and white made me think of epic '90s rappers that set the stage for now-emerging talent. If you're interested in music at all, check out Fader and their site to expand your iTunes library. Their modern design tactics are highly influential and help inspire us new designers who will be asked to use our youth as a jumping off point for future designs.

PHOTO BY JASON NOCITO

I'm following Eye Blog, a UK-based blogging site that features design news in the UK. One of the recent posts that caught my eye was an entry about one publication's quest to produce sustainable graphics.

(eds. Dmitri Siegel & Edward Morris, Thames and Hudson FROM eyeblog.com)

The blogger's perception of the publication: not worth the recycled paper it was printed on. The idea was interesting - make a magazine using only recycled materials and include images/posters that the reader can tear out. Therefore, the designs have two purposes - to fill the magazine, and hopefully become more than just temporary artwork. It sounded like the problem was that some of the designs were simplistic and underdeveloped compared to some of the other, more talented works. I think that news and magazine print takes up a whole lot more paper than anyone wants to think about. Going green is an excellent undertaking for publications, but the goal to persuade others wasn't achieved here because they didn't use a consistent quality of work throughout. 

This makes me once again consider the extreme importance of consistency and quality. My job as a designer isn't just to produce the best possible images at all times, but to involve myself in projects that reflect my own high standards and maintain a level of consistent quality (for lack of any better words). The truth is that if you want to be noticed, you must surround yourself with motivation and the right resources to improve yourself. Maybe Green Patriot Posters missed out on reaching their goal, but I don't think their message went unnoticed. It just had to be more convincing.