Shortlist: Magazine of the Year

We’re almost there — as this post goes live, our judging day for the Stack Awards are in full swing at the Ace Hotel. The judges will meet for an hour for each category throughout the day, and tonight we’re gathering all shortlisted publishers for a drink. On 29 November, everyone will reconvene for the awards ceremony, where we’ll announce the winners, and you’re all welcome to get a ticket and join the fun!

Helping us judge this most contested category (with over 80 entries) is Gail Bichler, design director of The New York Times magazine, and Jeremy Leslie, founder of magCulture. Browse through the independent titles below, who have all made it into the shortlist for Magazine of the Year.

Bad Day | Toronto
An interview magazine that has featured eclectic creators like Sofia Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Joanna Newsom, and many more, this single-colour title stands out from the crowd of glossies with its small format and lo-fi design aesthetics. Find out more in editor Eva Michon’s interview on Dazed Digital.

Benji Knewman | Riga
Named after a middle-aged, rather mysterious man, Benji Knewman is a bi-annual magazine published in Latvia, and a charmingly eccentric publishing concept dedicated to telling extraordinary stories about ordinary people.

Delayed Gratification | London
“Today’s ultra-fast news cycle rates being first above being right, telling us what’s happening in real time, but rarely what it means.” This magazine, by the guys at the Slow Journalism Company, revisits news after the dust has settled to give the final analysis on the stories that matter.

Disegno | London
A design title where text leads the way…watch out review below.

The Gentlewoman | London
Published twice a year, The Gentlewoman focuses on women with purpose. Read our interview with editor Penny Martin and watch our video review of their Kirsten Dunst issue below.

Girls Like Us | Brussels
“Girls Like Us showcases femaleness at its absolute coolest” — See more on It’s Nice That.

The Happy Reader | London
A publication out of Penguin Books and edited by Fantastic Man’s Seb Emina, this magazine is “the perfect foil to ‘binge-reading’ online content” — Read more on It’s Nice That’s interview with Seb.

Ladybeard | London
Followers of Stack will know about this energising feminist production. As a direct reaction to glossy women’s magazines, its past two Sex and Mind issues have challenged traditional female ideals and offered bold perspectives that more accurately describe the young woman’s experience today.

MacGuffin | Amsterdam
With a meticulous, bordering on obsessive eye, MacGuffin magazine zooms in on one particular object every issue. Find out more about their Rope issue, where weaves, knots, and jumping ropes are dissected in our interview with them.

Magazine B | Seoul
This publication introduces one well-balanced brand each issue. Have a look at their introductory video for the AirBnB issue below, and read our interview with editor-in-chief Taehyuk Choi.

Ordinary | Amsterdam
20 photographers create images based on everyday objects provided by the magazine each issue. “Ordinary magazine from Amsterdam subverts and revitalises the freebie trope” — read more on magCulture, or watch our review of the plastic cutlery issue below.

Perdiz | Barcelona
A magazine about happiness. But not the sappy kind — some of it is actually downright alarming, with a bizarre parade of characters all pursuing their own personal definitions of what constitutes a happy life.

Sabat | London
This is a magazine for modern witches — from anyone that has an affinity for tarot cards and meditation, to those interested in getting in touch with their darker selves and femininity. It is packed with wonderful, hidden design trickery too.

The Outpost | Beirut
Based out of Beirut, this is a title dedicated to possibilities in the Arab world. Watch our review of their latest issue below, themed around finding a home.

Weapons of Reason | London
Made by the guys at Human After All, this magazine takes on the world’s biggest problems and aims to educate people, engage them emotionally and provoke action. Read more in our interview with editor Danny Miller.

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