The passing of some old friends

My need for visual design stimulation used to be nearly satisfied by 24 subscriptions a month to design magazines- and shopping like a mad woman (ahhhhh heaven!).  Lately I have been going through severe withdrawal!!!  Design magazines are folding left and right and shopping like a mad woman is just a bad idea (especially in this economy).   I used to feel like I was easily able to keep my finger on the design pulse-now I’m searching for the heart beat that kept me going (it’s faint but I know it’s out there) This change has been so difficult for me, not only do I not get my required amount of visual references but I feel sad that the magazines that I have lived in anticipation of every month, are now gone.  They each had their own personality and gave back to me constantly with different inspirations- I feel like I’ve lost my friends.  RIP: House and Garden (the first big blow), Domino (the step child I learned to love as my own), Southern Accents, Metropolitan Home (huge loss! First published in 1969), Country Home, Cottage Living, O at Home, HOME (since 1951) Mary Enelbriets home companion, I.D. Magazine (55 years in publication), Gourmet (1941) not to mention the dozens of magazines on other subjects (yeah I know, who cares)  http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=132779 check out the carnage to it’s fullest extent.

I have since turned my serious addiction to design books (gets expensive and really should not continue!) and reading design blogs (I’m so responsible-NOT).  Like the magazines I so loved, design blogs have their own personalities and continue to inspire me every day.  Some are prolific like www.cotedetexas.com an incredible source- must take weeks to write a single blog post.  Some are quick yummy tid bits of humor and design www.maison21.com .  The thing that the blogging community has in spades over the magazines is just that- community. Because of the ability to comment it creates a back and forth of ideas and conversations with return readers.  When the economy is again in full swing (from my mind to gods ears) it will be interesting to see if there is an onslaught of new shelter magazines or if the design community supports the great blogs instead- probably a little of both.