A subscription service centered on surprise đź’Ś Steve Watson, Stack
Nov 2, 2021
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Steve Watson, founder and curator of Stack, discusses the joy of browsing print magazines and the art of magazine making in the digital age. He explores the process of curating magazines for the Stack subscription service, emphasizing the importance of unique perspectives and the element of surprise. Watson also shares insights into organizing and selecting magazines, and highlights Safar, a magazine in Beirut affected by the explosion, which recently released a powerful issue.
Steve Watson curates Stack Magazine to expose readers to things they wouldn't have come upon themselves.
Watson emphasizes the value of print magazines in the digital age, offering a deeper and more focused connection with content.
Deep dives
The Beauty of Print Magazines
Steve Watson, the founder of Stack Magazine, discusses his passion for print magazines and the artistry behind them. He emphasizes the joy of discovering new independent magazines and the experience of stumbling across something unexpected. Watson shares his personal journey of being a magazine connoisseur and highlights the value of print magazines in the digital age.
The Thrill of Magazine Discovery
Watson explains the excitement of browsing magazine shelves and being drawn to captivating covers. He discusses the importance of unique typography and creative photography in capturing attention. He shares examples of magazines like Ordinary and their creative use of ordinary objects to create compelling artwork. Watson expresses his fascination with finding magazines that offer fresh perspectives and unconventional approaches.
Print vs. Digital: Different Experiences
Watson acknowledges the differences between print and digital magazines. He explains that print magazines offer a slower and deeper connection, allowing readers to focus solely on the content without distractions. While digital design allows for quick experimentation and accessibility, print magazines provide a tangible and limited experience, allowing for a more profound connection with the content.
The Art of Curation and Surprise
Watson discusses the art of curation in running Stack Magazine's subscription service. He emphasizes the importance of surprising subscribers with each monthly delivery. Watson considers various factors like subject matter, geographical diversity, and visual variety in selecting magazines for subscribers. He aims to expose readers to unique viewpoints and provide a curated experience that goes beyond their preferences, ultimately showcasing the breadth of magazine creativity.
“We're not trying to pick something that fits our subscribers’ tastes and interests. In a way, we're sort of doing the opposite: the point of Stack is that you come to us because you want to be exposed to things that you wouldn't have come upon yourself.” — Steve Watson, Stack
Steve Watson is the ultimate magazine curator. As the founder and curator of Stack, he is responsible for curating the world’s periodicals, carefully selecting the most original and interesting ones for his online shop and subscription service. It’s high-stakes curation: he must continually outdo himself so that subscribers are regularly surprised and delighted by his selections.
Highlights, inspiration and key learnings:
Geeking out over print magazines
Looking for something not seen before
Remember “Raygun”?
The art of magazine making in the digital age
How he curates the Stack magazine service
How much of an editor’s imprint is visible in magazines
Which magazines belong in a hall of fame
Which countries are the best at magazine making
Could a machine do his job?
What’s challenging about running Stack
Magazines: keep, recycle or something else?
👋 Say hi to Steve! 🔎 Browse the companion Storyboard to get the episode itself, plus links to the magazines Steve talks about in the show as well as his own culture picks. ➕ This podcast was created by Flipboard, where enthusiasts are curating stories they recommend across thousands of interests. Learn more.
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