Your Guide to Breaking Into the Publishing Industry

For many of us designers, being published can feel like a major milestone in our careers. If the allure of magazine publishing is calling your name, this is your sign to begin taking the steps towards this goal TODAY! We’re here to be your guide, ensuring you're well-equipped to embrace this new opportunity. 

It's an exhilarating journey that extends your creative reach and provides an exciting new stage for your designs. We built this guide to help you navigate the process.

Stepping into the world of magazine publishing is a big step, and we’ve got your back!

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to submit your designs to magazines, ensuring you're well-prepared to make an informed decision about this exciting opportunity.

Design calls are briefs that publications use to clearly express what they are looking for in design submissions. Get started by seeking out publications aligned with your aesthetic and subscribe to their design call notifications. This can be found on their website, in their newsletter, or social media accounts. If the submission guidelines are elusive, a friendly email to the magazine can often set the stage. The first step is to get on their radar. Join their Design Call list, inquire about the announcement process, and establish that initial connection.

When you receive designer calls, absorb the details. Look for: 

• Submission deadlines

• Due dates for different stages of the process

• Design guidelines

• Notification process for declined submissions

• Payment terms

• Pattern & image rights agreement

• Additional expectations, such as promotional efforts

Collaborating with magazines means dancing to the beat of a shared vision. Magazines often provide detailed design briefs, complete with inspiration boards. Resist the urge to recycle past creations directly into your submissions. Authenticity is the key, blending your distinctive style with the magazine's unique vibe. A good fit goes beyond your love for the publication; it should feel authentic to you and your audience.

Keep in mind:

• Audience alignment

• Compatibility with magazine style

• Authentic resonance with your personal brand

Magazines have a specific appetite for proposals. Simplify the process with a personalized checklist and template. To make your life even easier, check out gosadi’s timeless proposal checklist, a handy resource for years to come.

Once your proposal is ready to send, submit it to the magazine's designated address or submission portal. Take advantage of the submission process to introduce yourself professionally. When opportunity allows, link your social media, portfolio, and website, ensuring a seamless journey for the magazine to discover more about you. Make sure your links and attachments are correct before hitting send! 

Then, the waiting game begins. 

Remember, a rejection is merely a pause, not a finale. Embrace feedback, if provided, as wisdom for your future submissions.

Magazine work is filled with hard deadlines and swift turnarounds. For efficient submissions, explore the possibility of using sample makers or, like many seasoned designers, craft the pattern before sending it off (this allows your pattern to be published in multiple magazines without crafting it yourself!). 

As you embark on this exciting magazine journey, know that the gosadi team is your biggest cheerleader! May your designs grace the glossy pages and inspire makers around the world!