Afterimages: A Modern Take on Avant-Garde Tradition

Przemek Hajek's Award-Winning Art Magazine Design

The inspiration for Afterimages stems from the rich heritage of the Strzeminski Academy of Fine Arts Lodz, which boasts a lineage of great artists such as Strzemek, Kobro, and Hiller. The concept of an afterimage—an image that persists in the eyes after prolonged exposure to the original—serves as a metaphor for the magazine's design. It captures the essence of the avant-garde tradition, presenting it in a way that is simultaneously familiar and new.

What sets Afterimages apart is its larger format, high-quality rough paper from the 'csm' collection, and the use of the dry-stamping technique. The Pantone color applied to the cover corresponds to the topic of each issue, creating a visual link between form and content. The magazine, filled with high-quality photos, mirrors the aesthetic of lifestyle magazines, making it the first of its kind published by the Strzeminski Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz.

The magazine's design was realized through high-quality offset print Pantone for the cover and CMYK for the inside pages. The tactile experience of the magazine is enhanced by the stamping technique, which can be felt under the reader's finger. QR codes add an interactive element, bridging the gap between print and digital media.

Creating a design that referenced the avant-garde tradition while presenting a modern, fresh version was a significant challenge. The team had to create a platform and community around the magazine and produce a premium design with high-quality content and paper on a limited budget. Despite these challenges, the team managed to publish five issues of Afterimages between 2019 and mid-2021.

The design of Afterimages is a testament to the enduring influence of the Strzeminski Academy of Fine Arts Lodz and its avant-garde tradition. The magazine, with its unique design elements and high-quality content, serves as a platform for critical texts about art and design, interviews with prominent figures in culture and higher education, and coverage of significant artistic and scientific events. It is a fitting tribute to the academy's legacy and a testament to the power of design in shaping our perception of art.