[Tom Biederbeck] All things must pass, but that’s small comfort with 2009 winding down as one of the bleakest years on record for magazine closures. Even more painful is that the design press seems to be coming in for more than its share of bad blows. Latest to fall is I.D., the International Design Magazine; owner/publisher F + W Media has announced that the Jan./Feb. 2010 issue will be its final printed edition (Nov./Dec. 2009 cover shown).
I.D.‘s coverage ranged widely across the design world, but a focus on industrial and product design was always at its core. In its 55 years of publication, I.D. was regarded as America’s premier publication on product design, and it helped break and advance the careers of countless talents that have gone on become leaders in the field.
Needless to say, we’ll miss I.D., especially its outstanding coverage of emerging talents. Reportedly F +W Media will continue to publish its Annual Design Review in an expanded version online. Just the same, it’s disheartening to see advertisers fleeing U.S. print publications with loyal readerships, while European and other global design magazines don’t seem to have a problem attracting advertising to their pages.
I can’t comprehend why F+W intends to keep Print going and doesnt just fold I.D. and Print into one another.
Poignant that Tom Biederbeck (of the recently departed STEP magazine) notes the passing of I.D.
Every publication fills its niche, but its telling to see HOW, PRINT and Dynamic Graphics survive while their aforementioned sister publications slip quietly into that good night.
Waiting to see who is next…