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Creative Director Finds Inspiration in Print Magazines

Print magazines offer tactile inspiration and a break from screens. Discover how one creative director uses them to stay inspired and informed.

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Creative Director Finds Inspiration in Print Magazines

Jonathan McGlothin, creative director at 50,000feet in Chicago, finds inspiration and keeps up-to-date with various fields through print magazines. He believes that editorial creativity continues to evolve and adapt, with resources like magCulture dedicated to its future.

McGlothin's favorite magazines span art, architecture, design, photography, technology, fashion, and advertising. Titles like Aperture, Dazed, Eye, The Gentlewoman, Mousse, and Port offer him a tactile reading experience and a break from constant screen time. He appreciates the visual inspiration magazines provide, helping him discover new photographers, illustrators, and typography references for his projects.

As a teenager, magazines like i-D, The Face, and Interview sparked McGlothin's interest in pursuing a creative career. Now, as a creative director, he frequently uses magazines such as VOGUE for fashion and cultural trends, and Missy Magazine for its vibrant visual diversity and critical cultural perspectives. Despite shifts towards digital formats, McGlothin finds value in print magazines' iconic status and high-quality imagery.

McGlothin's love for magazines stems from their ability to inspire, inform, and offer a tangible reading experience. He finds sentimental value in independent bookshops and significant publications that have closed or gone out of circulation. As a creative director, he continues to use magazines as a vital tool for visual research and inspiration.

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