NOTES

Picked up this issue on eBay years after its original release because it features one of my biggest creative inspirations on the cover. I’ve always admired Kanye West’s willingness to move between music, fashion, architecture, and design without treating them as separate disciplines. Released as Surface‘s December 2016 / January 2017 Art Issue, the cover features a striking portrait by Albert Watson that has always been one of my favorites. I also love the quote printed along the spine, “When I speak it’s like a painting.” It’s one of those small editorial details that elevates the entire piece and reminds me why I continue to collect well-designed magazines.