The Gopher Illustrated Magazine is a semi-annual publication that showcases emerging and established talents working in the visual arts, literature and journalism. The collectible magazine features over one hundred pages of content in each of its volumes, which are printed in very limited editions, and each copy is hand-numbered and embossed by its editors. Gopher is based in Austin, TX, and distributed nationally and internationally
Gopher Magazine
Process
The Gopher presents nearly fifty designers, typographers, studios, illustrator and photographers in each of its editions. Design-obsessed, the magazine’ s design employs three fundamental tenets. 1) The use of color is limited to two offset inks through most of the magazine. 2) The use of a strict grid system that takes advantage of the external margins for notes, facts and images referent to the central text. 3) The title for each article is created especially for the issue by a different typographer, designer, illustrator or foundry. This last bit turns each issue into a bit of a contemporary typographic catalog, with amazing work sourced around the world.
Results
The Gopher has been praised by both readers and critics. Wired Magazine (UK) called it “one of three print magazines to get excited about” and MagCulturedefined it as “an international magazine that delivers strong content in an intriguingly designed package, an intelligent read…”O.K. Festival in the Netherlands simply exclaimed “Gopher Illustrated: Wow!” It has appeared in events like TED and Printout, as well as featured in books like Los Logos Compass (Die Gestalten).