Top Design Magazines: Creativity & Innovation in Print & Online
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

Online Magazines Reshape Industry

Applying Innovative Design

Future of Design Magazines

Exploring the world of design is an enticing journey filled with bursts of creativity and innovation. This exploration becomes even more exciting when you dive into the universe of inspiring design magazines. These publications, both print and online, are treasure troves, showcasing the best in design while also pushing the boundaries of what's possible. They allow us to discover new ideas, techniques, and trends, fueling our imagination and inspiring us to create better and more innovative designs.

Despite the digital revolution, print magazines still hold their own, offering a tactile, intimate, and immersive reading experience. They've been around for centuries, evolving over time to reflect changing aesthetics and design innovations. Let's delve a bit deeper into this intriguing history, and then explore some of the most prominent print magazines and the innovations they've brought to the table.

History of Print

Print publications date back to the 17th century, starting with simple newsletters and evolving into the glossy, design-rich magazines we see today. Over time, these magazines have become a canvas for designers to showcase their creativity, pushing the boundaries of typography, layout, and imagery. Some of the earliest design magazines, like Architectural Digest and Vogue, set the standard for aesthetics and style, influencing generations of designers.

As you explore the history of print, you'll notice it's a journey of constant evolution, shaped by technological advances and changing tastes. The introduction of color printing, for example, opened up a world of possibilities, allowing designers to experiment with vibrant palettes and bold graphics. Similarly, advances in printing techniques enabled more intricate layouts and designs, turning magazines into works of art in their own right.

Prominent Print Magazines

When it comes to inspiring design magazines, some names stand out more than others. Magazines like Elle Decor, Wallpaper*, and Dwell have become synonymous with top-notch design, featuring visually stunning layouts and covering a wide range of design styles and trends.

Elle Decor, for instance, is known for its sophisticated aesthetics, showcasing the best in interior design from around the world. Wallpaper*, on the other hand, pushes the envelope with its daring design choices, from experimental typography to edgy photography. And then there's Dwell, which offers a fresh perspective on modern design, featuring minimalist layouts and a focus on sustainable living.

Innovation in Print

Design magazines aren't just about beautiful layouts and inspiring visuals—they're also about innovation. These publications continuously challenge the status quo, experimenting with new design techniques and concepts to keep readers engaged.

Take, for instance, the use of augmented reality in print magazines. Publications like Popular Mechanics and Esquire have used this technology to bring their pages to life, offering readers an interactive experience. Other magazines have experimented with different paper types and printing techniques to create tactile experiences, blurring the line between the visual and the physical.

So, while print may seem like a traditional medium, it's far from static. It's dynamic and ever-evolving, offering endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. And that's what makes it such an inspiring platform for designers.

Online Magazines Reshape Industry

As we continue our journey through the world of design magazines, we can't overlook the transformative role of online publications. Digital media has been a game-changer, reshaping the industry and introducing new ways of showcasing and interpreting design. Let's look at how digital media rose to prominence, the leading online design magazines, and how creativity thrives in the digital format.

Rise of Digital Media

The advent of the internet ushered in a new era for design magazines. Suddenly, there was a platform that allowed for instant distribution, global reach, and interactive content. This revolution didn't happen overnight. It was a gradual process, with print magazines initially launching online versions before fully digital publications emerged.

The rise of digital media also meant that design magazines could now incorporate multimedia elements, such as video and animation, into their content. This added a whole new dimension to design, allowing for more immersive and interactive experiences. In essence, digital media has expanded the canvas for design, providing new tools and possibilities for creativity and innovation.

Leading Online Magazines

When it comes to online design magazines, there are a few names that stand out for their inspiring content and innovative presentation. Dezeen, Design Milk, and Colossal are some of the leading online publications that celebrate creativity in the design world.

Dezeen is a titan in the world of online design magazines, known for its in-depth features and high-quality visuals. It covers a broad range of design disciplines, from architecture to interiors to fashion. Design Milk, meanwhile, offers a fresh and contemporary take on design, with a focus on modern aesthetics and innovative products. Then there's Colossal, which blurs the line between design and art, featuring inspiring projects from around the globe.

Creativity in Digital Format

One of the most exciting aspects of online design magazines is the way they leverage the digital format to enhance creativity. With the ability to incorporate multimedia elements, hyperlinks, and interactive content, these magazines offer a dynamic and engaging reading experience.

Imagine exploring a designer's work not just through images and text, but also through videos, 360-degree views, and interactive diagrams. Or consider how hyperlinks can create a network of related content, allowing you to delve deeper into a topic or discover new designers and trends. This is the power of digital media—it allows for a more comprehensive and immersive exploration of design, making it a truly inspiring platform for creativity and innovation.

Applying Innovative Design

Having explored the world of print and online design magazines, you're probably brimming with inspiration. But how can you turn that inspiration into practical application? Let's delve into some useful design tips gleaned from both print and online magazines, and discuss how you can blend the strengths of both formats in your own design work.

Design Tips from Print

Print design carries a certain timeless charm. The feel of paper, the smell of ink, the static yet compelling visuals—all these elements have a tangible quality that's difficult to replicate in digital media. From print design magazines, we can learn the importance of clear, well-structured layouts, the power of high-quality images, and the art of storytelling through visuals and text.

For instance, take a leaf out of Wallpaper's book—their use of large, striking images that command attention and draw the reader into the story is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Similarly, the well-curated layouts of Print Magazine show us how to create a smooth visual flow that guides the reader's eye across the page. These are valuable lessons that can be applied to any design project, whether print or digital.

Design Tips from Online

Online design magazines, on the other hand, offer lessons in flexibility and interactivity. With the ability to incorporate multimedia elements and interactive content, digital media challenges us to think beyond static visuals and linear narratives. From online magazines, we can learn how to use animation to add dynamism to our designs, how to create interactive elements that engage the reader, and how to leverage hyperlinks to create a network of related content.

Take Dezeen, for example. Its innovative use of video content allows it to showcase design in motion, providing a more comprehensive and immersive view of a project. Meanwhile, Colossal’s use of hyperlinks enables readers to explore related content, discover new artists, and delve deeper into a topic, creating a more engaging and interactive reading experience.

Blending Print and Digital

While print and digital may seem like two different worlds, the most innovative design often comes from blending the strengths of both. By combining the tangible quality and well-structured layouts of print with the flexibility and interactivity of digital, you can create designs that are dynamic, engaging, and memorable.

So, how do you blend print and digital in your designs? Start by borrowing elements from each. Use high-quality images and clear layouts from print, and incorporate interactive elements and multimedia content from digital. Consider how you can use these elements to enhance your storytelling, create a smooth visual flow, and engage your audience. Remember, the goal is to create designs that are not only visually striking but also meaningful and engaging.

Future of Design Magazines

With advancements in technology and changes in reading habits, the landscape of design magazines—both print and online—is constantly evolving. As we look towards the future, predicting the trends that will shape this landscape becomes a fascinating exercise. So, what does the future hold for design magazines? Let's take a look.

Forecasting Print

While it's true that digital media is on the rise, print isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The tactile experience of flipping through a print magazine, coupled with the visual impact of print layouts, continues to hold a unique appeal for many. In fact, we're seeing a resurgence of interest in print, especially among niche audiences.

Expect print design magazines to continue honing their craft, using innovative layouts, high-quality materials, and compelling visuals to engage their readers. As seen in Monocle, there's a trend towards creating more curated and collectible print issues, turning each magazine into a work of art in its own right. This points to a future where print magazines are not only sources of inspiration but also coveted objects of design.

Forecasting Online

As for online design magazines, the future looks bright and exciting. With the rise of digital technologies, online magazines have more tools at their disposal than ever before. This paves the way for greater interactivity, richer multimedia content, and more personalized user experiences.

Future online magazines, like the trendsetting AIGA Eye on Design, might incorporate more video and animation, VR and AR experiences, and interactive features that encourage user participation. In addition, with the growth of AI and machine learning, we could see more personalized content that adapts to the reader's preferences and behavior, creating a truly unique reading experience for each user.

Looking at the bigger picture, there are a few emerging trends that are set to shape the future of design magazines. One of these is the increasing focus on sustainability. As the environmental impact of media production becomes a growing concern, we can expect to see more magazines adopting eco-friendly practices, from using recycled paper for print magazines to optimizing energy use in digital media.

Another trend is the growing diversity in design. More and more magazines are featuring works from a broader range of creators, reflecting a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. This trend not only enriches the design discourse but also opens up opportunities for new voices to be heard. Remember, the more diverse our sources of inspiration, the more innovative and inclusive our designs can become.

If you're inspired by the top design magazines featured in this blog and have dreams of starting your own, be sure to check out the workshop 'How To Start A Magazine' by . This workshop will guide you through the process of launching your very own magazine, from concept to publication, and help you bring your creative vision to life in print and online.