From the SPD Archives: SPD News, 1966

Before the advent of the internet and social media, and before the launch of Grids, SPD updates were communicated to members via the monthly Society of Publication Designers News. It was a simple, single-page newsletter, offset printed on two sides on a rotating supply of paper stocks and colors (presumably supplied by free from the Society's paper supplier connections). These early issues featured the promotion of upcoming luncheon events, news of SPD meetings and elections, and results of the annual design competitions. Displayed prominently in the top left corner of each edition was an ornate and complex SPD logo.

The highlight of this October 1966 issue is the upcoming speaker event featuring Herb Lubalin, titled "What's wrong with publishing today?" Also featured is the November 30, 1966 presentation on Aspen, "The Magazine in a Box," which promised to  included publisher/editor Phyllis Johnson, plus "several guest designers of Aspen, including Andy Warhol...will be present to discuss from the floor, your design questions."

On the turn page we have complete scans of the October 1966 issue of Society of Publication Designers News, which features a full list of the winners of the 1966 Magazine Design Contest.

The Society of Publication Designers News was edited by Gerald Rothman, who who was editorial supervisor at Burns and Roe, Inc.. This side of the News details the upcoming Herb Lubalin and Aspen magazine lunch events, plus the December 14 business meeting, which promises to elect a new slate of officers. Members are urged to not miss the January 25, 1967 presentation on "Electrostatic Printing" by David Persky. "People who know say there is a fantastic future in electrostatic printing." Also included is a list of the winners of the 1966 Magazine Design Contest. (Click on the image to see it full-size.)

The back side of News featured more winners of the 1966 Magazine Design Contest, plus a list of judges, and a membership coupon ($15 for individuals!). The Society of Publication Designers News continued through the 1970s, later changing its name to Publication Design News, before relaunching in 1982 as Grids. We'll be posting reproductions of these iterations of the SPD newsletter later in the year. (Click on the image to see it full-size.)


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From the SPD Archives: Publication Design 39 Cover, 2004