Top 10 Graphic Design Magazines

Graphic designing is very much a part of today’s society and it is being used in every possible industry. The purpose of graphic design can not be over-looked any more as it is an integral part of what is happening in all areas of life.

There has been a soaring growth of graphic designers as a result and this has led to a somewhat healthy level of competition. It is important that people interested in graphic design or those who aspire to start out in the art stay informed on current trends and the newest technology and designing techniques.

The good news is that there is a host of magazines that you can pick up while some are available online. There is a wide variety of magazines and you only need to know what to look for.

Here is a list of graphic design magazines that you should be on the lookout for:

1. OFFSCREEN MAGAZINE

This is a high end magazine that is created, designed, edited and published courtesy of Kai brach. It is published three and sometimes four times in a year and copies can also be bought online at less than $20. Inside its pages you will find more than five detailed interviews featuring prominent graphic designers and it often places its focus talking about the brains and people behind well-known apps and websites and telling their inspiring stories. Readers will get a sense of passion and will get to experience the creativity and get the inside scoop on the hard work that goes into creating a successful brand.

2. THE MANUAL

The manual is a combination of three hard book A5 magazines/books and it is published every single year. Each of these three books exceeds a little over 100 pages. Since it is a relatively big publication, The Manual delves deeply into technological thinking and offers intelligent tit bits that every graphic designer can learn from. It is the best read for an individual who is often in a position of asking them selves “why?” in matters of web design. This publication transports its reader into a place where they can experience a rich and deep understanding of all matters graphic design.

3. TYPO

The TYPO Magazine dedicates most of its pages to talking about typography, graphic design and visual forms of communication. The magazine targets an audience ranging from professionals and those who are only starting out in the field of typography, graphic and font designing as well as education in these fields. The magazine also reserves some of its pages for marketing and advertising the specialists on the visual communication industry. TYPO comes out quarterly and all the issues that have been published since the year 2003 are also in PDF format.

4. CODEX

The Codex Magazine is published irregularly but when it comes it it runs over 160 pages of newsworthy feature pieces, interviews, stories about the history of type, different type designs all which come from seasoned typography professionals. This magazine is simply only available in printed and PDF format.

5. PROCESS JOURNAL

The Process Journal is a Melbourne based journal publication and its style is one that showcases designers and what they do. The magazine runs a little bit more over 95 pages and is produced in a format just a bit bigger than A4. The Process Journal also runs an app on iPad that is also solely focused on showcasing the art that goes into designing.

6. 8FACES

Think about this simple question. If you were tasked with choosing from only 8 fonts which ones would be your choices? This question is the best possible way to think about the 8Faces Magazine. This magazine is a market leader in talking about top-notch graphic designers and those who specialize in either illustration, print design, web design or type design. This is one of those magazines that you must have as part of your collection. Some more good news, 8Faces Magazine is also available in PDF format as well!

7. IN GRAPHICS

This is a print magazine that’s originally from Berlin, Germany. The main focus of In Graphics Magazine is on infographics only. The magazine is only published twice every year and the editions come out in English and in German languages. Interested parties can purchase this magazine on online sites like Amazon. It runs around 96 pages and inside its pages are topics that talking about architecture, economics, politics, culture, television shows, environment and general entertainment. This magazine is a good pick for people who like to stay visually stimulated and love attention to details.

8. AMMO MAGAZINE

This is an independently run magazine that is originally from the UK. The Ammo Magazine is based on illustrations and talking about the people behind them. It is an adorable little A6 landscape like publication that is thick with around 160 pages. On its pages are clear displays showing full color illustrations and most of all it is very affordable at only $5. The best thing about this little gem is that it is always available in print format. The Ammo Magazine is only sold in print format.

9. THE GREAT DISCONTENT MAGAZINE

Even though it seems like the name of the magazine is a mouthful, The Great Discontent also known as TGD is a fully loaded journal that is created by artists, that talks about artists and written for artists themselves. The magazine itself is an online based publication and places its main focus on in-depth interviews that talk about subjects that are dear and close to the artists community. It’s pages are full of what the artists did to get to where they are. The risks they took, how they creatively and painstakingly came to create what they now have and other useful connections that they may have. TGD also publishes an illustrated journal and always has a fresh new interview that is put out on every Tuesday.

10. COUNTER – PRINT

This is a magazine whose sole focus is that one of discussing and talking about design related issues and products as well as art. It is an online based magazine and it’s worth to mention here that this isn’t a free website. On the site they have on sale educational material that can benefit a designer. The material on sale is always in print though.