Case Study: Birdy Magazine
Amid a climate where editorial organizations were largely eschewing print, we sought to reverse the trend with a high-quality, physical publication. My background as design and print manager for the Denver/Boulder editions of The Onion (and as the creator of several DIY zines and print art projects) positioned us to make an immediate and undeniable splash: print wasn’t dead at all.
PROJECT
Publication Design
CLIENT
Birdy Magazine
DATE
2013
PUBLICATION DESIGNER
Michael David King
- 2017 · Best Of Denver, Westword
After a year of planning, scheming, printer negotiation, funding securement, and contributor solicitation, the first issue hit the streets in January 2014. A collectible, full-color, monthly magazine, Birdy was an egalitarian place where any artist could make themselves seen.
As the issues kept coming every month, it was clear that by staying lean, culturally involved, and true to our original vision, we were thriving where the big local publications and alt weeklies were struggling. At local festivals and art events, Birdy was there. At the art museums and cultural hot spots, Birdy was there.
Typical work days for the Birdy crew.
One 32-44 page issue a month, every month, no skips.
In 2019 I stepped down from my role as designer and publication director to welcome in a new generation of doers.
Birdy is still going strong as a showcase for art, culture, comedy, and more, and continues to win acclaim and spread influence. Long live Birdy!
Tony Hawk, Jack White, DEVO, and Mark Mothersbaugh enjoying some Birdy time.