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Incomplet Design HistoryAuthor: Amanda Horton
The nature of history is that it is never complete, new information is gained every day that changes our understanding an interpretations of history. The mission of Incomplete Design History is to explore areas of graphic design history that are overlooked or ignored; to expand our knowledge in the field and to include all sides of the story. Incomplete design history seeks to be inclusive, inclusive not only of people but of ideas and technologies that advance the field of graphic design. History is messy. History is incomplete. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Women In Magazines
Episode 5
Wednesday, 1 October, 2025
This podcast episode delves into the critical role women have played in shaping the magazine industry through design, editorial leadership, and cultural influence. While season one spotlighted individual designers, this episode zooms out to explore the broader impact women have had on magazine evolution—from early European publications to today’s digital formats. It traces how magazines shifted from reinforcing traditional gender roles to becoming empowering platforms, thanks to figures like Sarah Josepha Hale, Cipe Pineles, Bea Feitler, and Ruth Ansel, who revolutionized both visual style and editorial voice. The episode also highlights the contributions of Black women in publishing, who created their own magazines to amplify underrepresented voices and foster community. Today, designers like Jessica Walsh, Gail Bichler, and Gail Anderson continue this legacy, using bold visuals and innovative technology to push boundaries and expand representation. Through storytelling, activism, and artistry, women have transformed magazines into platforms for cultural commentary and social change—proving that their creativity and leadership are essential to the industry’s past, present, and future.TIMELINE1663-1668 - First magazine-like publication (Erbauliche Monaths-Unterredungen)1693 - First magazine for women created (Athenian Mercury)1731 - Term “Magazine” first used in the The Gentleman's Magazine1770 - The Lady’s Magazine began1830 - Godey’s Lady’s Book, an American magazine for women, was started by a man named Louis A. Godey1832-1852 - The Ladies’ Cabinet was created and sold1855 - Photolithography is invented1870-1927 - The Woman’s Journal, which would eventually merge with The Woman Citizen, was released in Boston1885 - Good Housekeeping first published1891-1894 - Ringwood’s Afro-American Journal of Fashion Magazines were published and distributed1899 - The Saturday Evening Post printed the first full-page illustrated cover1916-1925 - Half-Century Magazine was created and distributed1920 - Women were granted the right to vote1932-1935 - Cipe Pineless works as assistant art director for Conde Nast1945 - Ebony Magazine was first published1954 - Dorothy Dandridge was the first black woman on a mainstream magazine cover1961 - Bea Feitler is hired at Harper’s Bazaar1965 - Bea Feitler and Ruth Ansel release famous cover of Jean Shrimpton for Harper's Bazaar1974 - Ruth Ansel becomes the first female art director and the New York Times MagazineREFERENCES2008 AIGA medalist: Gail Anderson. (n.d.). AIGA. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.aiga.org/membership-community/aiga-awards/2008-aiga-medalist-gail-andersonBurkhalter, N. (1996). Women’s magazines and the suffrage movement: Did they help or hinder the cause? Journal of American Culture, 19(2), 13–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1542-734x.1996.1902_13.xClair, C. (1969). A chronology of printing. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.Ed.D., G. M. (2024, March 1). Women’s History Month: The Life of Dorothy Dandridge. Benicia Magazine. https://www.beniciamagazine.com/womens-history-month-the-life-of-dorothy-dandridge/Ellis, E., Golden, C. P., & Fripp, C. B. (2005). Cipe Pineles: Two remembrances. RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press.Eye Magazine. (n.d.). Eye Magazine. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/article/reputations-gail-bichlerFerguson, M. (1983). Forever feminine: Women’s magazines and the cult of femininity. Heinemann Educational Books.Forster, L. (2015). Magazine movements: Women’s culture, feminisms and media form. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.history of publishing. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/publishing/additional-infoMcCracken, E. (1993). Decoding Women’s Magazines: From mademoiselle to Ms.Osei-Hwere, E., & Osei-Hwere, P. (n.d.). History of magazine publishing. Media Communication, Convergence and Literacy. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://oer.pressbooks.pub/mediacommunication/chapter/history-of-magazine-publishing/Rooks, N. M. (2004). Ladies’ pages: African American women’s magazines and the culture that made them. Rutgers University Press.Sperandio, A. T., & Bouadana, S. (2010). Ruth Ansel: art direction. Creative Review (London, England), 30(5), 28–36.The Luupe. (n.d.). Jessica Walsh on Building Her Own Design Studio and Breaking Clichés. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://studio.theluupe.com/blog/jessica-walsh-on-building-her-own-design-studio-and-breaking-clichesThomson, E. M. (1994). Early Graphic Design Periodicals in America. Journal of Design History, 7(2), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1093/jdh/7.2.113
