If you are reading this blog, chances are you have an admiration for beautiful things in the form of published media. For years, traditional printed magazines have been the primary resource for this type of content. As a young girl, I can remember searching far and wide for my favorite publications and since then, I’ve accumulated quite a reference library! For designers or those in certain creative fields, magazines can be a wonderful source of project inspiration. However, the tides have been quickly shifting over the past few years with the introduction and growing popularity of blogs and digital media. Now online publications are a significant resource for those of us with our eyes always open for the next stunning space or breath-taking editorial.
The future of printed media is uncertain but I sincerely hope that, whatever the outcome, it is sustainable. It goes without saying that I love both printed magazines and blogs and believe that each serve an important and specific role. While I surf the internet for a wide array of content, my physical library of publications is much more selective and has been carefully curated to contain only my most cherished issues. I think that’s one reason I love printed work so much… it is concrete and specifically defined. What I choose to purchase is always there on my bookshelf and ready to be reviewed. A disadvantage, however, to printed media is the task of marking and remembering favorite articles and images. In the age of Google search and Wikipedia, this problem seems archaic! But perhaps that’s another reason why I often prefer reading something printed versus something digital.
The internet is fast, ever-changing, and incredibly vast. A physical library is enduring, curated, and requires a moment of pause. I can’t imagine either of these things going out of vogue, can you?
On a side note, I discovered a clever and elegant way to streamline the process of marking your favorite reads. Magnetic bookmarks! This set from the Ona Collection by “Girl of All Work” is modern and playful and stands out perfectly within my stack of books (not to mention, they preserve each precious page).
How do you tab your magazines?
5 comments
Ann says:
Jan 11, 2012
Those are really pretty! I was in the actual bookstore the other day looking at the bookmarks and thinking how long it’s been since I bought one! With a Kindle and an iPad, I rarely buy a hard copy anymore. I couldn’t resist though, and bought Mary McDonald’s Interiors.
Chi @ Carousel says:
Jan 12, 2012
What a great find, Hilary – they’re so pretty!! I’m so sad they’re not available here in the UK!
You’re absolutely right about digital vs. printed media. I love the convenience of pinning images that take my fancy – I don’t know how I managed before Pinterest! – but I don’t think it will ever replace treasured copies of old, well-thumbed magazines.
Vanessa Rae says:
Jan 12, 2012
Hilary these are great. I have had an affinity for magazines since the pre-teen days and ever since I’ve cut out the photos and articles that have inspired me and put them into folder files. Yes, I’m a bit type-A but it’s fun to see how my taste has evolved since then. Now I have a collage notebook that I play in on Sunday mornings while I sip my coffee. I hope the printed world never goes out of style, the glossies feel so good between my fingers!
Denise says:
Jan 12, 2012
I rip out pages (gasp) and file them in clear sheet protectors by category. Have over 12 notebooks of tear sheets. Sadly with the age of blogs, I stopped doing this about 2 years ago and now just can’t bring myself to get rid of all my old tear sheets. So yes, I have a foot in print and online media. Trapped I say, trapped.
Lauren says:
Jan 13, 2012
I’m trapped like Denise! Caught between two worlds! I love these magnets. They would dearly help when my husband and I are in different places in our New Yorker Magazine articles.