Design print mag goes digital

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The new-look digital magazine, the brainchild of entrepreneur and CEO Cameron Bramley, aims to cover 25 design industry disciplines and every voice from student designer to iconic professional, corporate brands, advertising and PR activities.

According to Bramley, the information gateway is necessary to the design industries for several reasons: “It offers individuals, institutions, companies and South Africa - as a brand - an opportunity to enjoy individualism based on a national intent.

”The new platform paves the way for the development of discipline-specific magazines, as extensions under the Design> brand. These stand-alone magazines will align with the relevant association or institute, giving each one a channel for communication with its members and the overall market.”

The motivation behind this new development includes: ecological considerations, expanding access to specialised design information to a broader international reader base, fostering collaboration amongst industry players, creating greater awareness of the role of good design and facilitating the education process for the various disciplines in design locally and globally.

Bramley adds, “Evolving into the digital world saves the environment, makes us cost sensitive to a changing economic climate and enables accessibility by a greater audience of people.”

The editorial board consists of a team of experienced industry personalities, including Bev Hermanson (group editor), Jacques Lange (Design> editor) and Roy Clucas (Design> creative director), supported by an advisory panel of industry leaders who are actively involved in steering the strategic direction and editorial content.

Design> is endorsed by Decorex SA, Design Education Forum of Southern Africa (DEFSA), the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), Institute of Interior Design Professions (IID), Kitchen Specialists Association (KSA), the SABS Design Institute, Sanlam South African Fashion Week and the South African Communication Design Council (think).

Design> is also a media partner of the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda) and collaborates with a large number of international publications and writers.

The digital launch took place in December 2008 and within two weeks from going live, the title reports that it expanded its readership base to more than 30 countries.

For more, go to www.designmagazine.co.za.