Smith Journal Australia: the magazine as art

Smith Journal, a twice-yearly magazine by Morrison Media (Frankie publishers), is a good reminder of how magazines should be done. As a former editor of a number of different titles I’ve worked on my share of “get it out the door and get started on the next issue” mastheads.

There’s no need to name names and it’s certainly not a trend limited to just one publishing house. In this day of added pressure from online media, differing consumer spending habits and lower advertising spend off the back of the global financial mess, it’s a wonder some magazines still exist, let alone new ones like Smith Journal popping up.

 Smith Journal is a purely Australian magazine for the more hipster inclined gent, but don’t let that stop you picking it up if you’re not so inclined. More than anything else, it’s an ode to what a magazine should be. Brilliant design, well thought out feature articles, amazing illustrations and a good mix of content that has been well targeted to a specific demographic. Sure, there are only two issues each year, but if Morrison spends as much time getting issue two right as they obviously did with issue one, then it’s the best $11.95 you could possibly spend.

As the title suggest, Smith Journal is a magazine that houses only various sized feature articles, akin to journal entries. Topics are numerous, from fashion to music, sport to design and even, um, quantum mechanics. Each article is well constructed and in perfect style harmony with the others. It’s also one of the best designed magazines I’ve seen in years. Issue one is a 146-page feast that’s on sale now. The cover feature is the wonderful type writers used by the authors that have shaped the 20th and 21st century.

Anyone still buy magazines, then?

Price: $11.95

Web: Smith Journal

Recent Posts

  • Tech

Corsair announce the Vanguard 96 mechanical gaming keyboards with integrated LCD screen and Elgate Stream Deck

Corsair has announced the new VANGUARD PRO 96 Hall Effect Gaming Keyboard and VANGUARD 96…

2 days ago
  • Tech

Swann announces 2 new cameras in their EVO range

Swann has announced two additional cameras in their popular EVO range. The EVO Wireless 2K…

2 days ago
  • Tech

Anker SOLIX has a new battery-powered portable electric cooler just in time for camping season — the Everfrost 2

Anker SOLIX has announced the Australian launch and availability of the portable electric cooler, the…

2 days ago
  • Tech

Australian pricing announced and pre-orders open for ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X

After announcing the new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handhelds back…

2 days ago
  • Product News

Samsung Launches Expanded Galaxy Line-Up in Australia covering wearables, phones and tablets

Samsung has announced a new suite of devices heading to Australia from today, expanding their…

3 days ago
  • Tech

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Review: A good phone at the right price

Samsung recently announced the new Galaxy S25 FE ahead of IFA, bringing a new more…

3 days ago