Honoring Black History Month 2025

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Design: Dian Holton
Typeface Foundry: Vocal Type

The Society of Publication Designers organization and Board is honoring Black History Month by kicking off a series that celebrates and honors Black creatives throughout the month of February.

 
 

The Tyler twins

The Tyler Twins - Photographers

* Click Here to go to the Tyler Twins Photos of the Week Feature

CREDITS
Photographs by The Tyler Twins
@thetylertwins

Cynthia Erivo Styling: Jason Bolden
@jasonbolden
Makeup: Joanna Simkin/The Wall Group
@joannasimkin
Ariana Grande Styling: Mimi Cuttrell/A Frame Agency
@mimicuttrell
Makeup: Michael Anthony/Opus Beauty
@manthony783
Hair: Gabor Kerekes
@gabork_mua
Jon Chu Styling: Liat Baruch
@liatbaruch_
Hair: Eleazar Baltazar
@eleazarmethod
Grooming: Su Han Naeem

SPD Covers of the Day:
Beyonce - Harper’s Bazaar US, Essence, Vogue US and British Vogue

We’re throwing back to some of our favorite Beyonce covers as a nod to Beyonce’s historic Grammy nomination and win for Best Country Album of the Year.

Harper's Bazaar US, September 2021
Photographer: @campbelladdy
Stylist: @samiranasr and @marnixmarni
Creative Director: @lauragenninger
Entertainment Director: @angcutt
Creative Director for Beyoncé: @amakadsi
Senior Creative Producer for Beyoncé: @laurenlalabaker
Hairstylist: @jawaraw and @nakiarachon
Hair Colorist: @rachel_bodt
Makeup: @francescatolot
Manicure: @mihonails
Production: @viewfindersnyla
Set Design: @peterkleindesign
Lighting Technician: @_wordie
Special thanks to @yvettenoelschure, @kaleb_steele, and @ella_hillary of Parkwood Entertainment.

Essence, March/April 2024
Photographer: @photodre
Stylist: @shionat
Hair: @nealfarinah + @nakiarachon
Makeup: @rokaelbeauty
Nails: @mihonails
Set Design: @betteradams
Tailor: @timothywhite + @costumer.shirlee
Location: @milk
Production: @themorrisongroup
Special Thanks: @cecred @parkwood @yvettenoelschure @blondprodn @lermitagebh@lovecateringinc
ESSENCE, SVP, Creative: @coreytstokes
ESSENCE, Senior Content Director: @itsnandibby
ESSENCE, Visual Director: @_mq______
ESSENCE, Design Director: @anthonybones_

British Vogue, July 2022
Photographed by: @RafaelPavarotti_
Make-Up by: @SirJohn
Styled by: @Edward_Enninful
Hair by: @JawaraW
Nails by: @MihoNails
Set Design by: @MaryHoward_SetDesign
Production by: @Prodn_ArtAndCommerce
Entertainment Editor-at-Large: @JillDemling
Hairstylist: @NakiaRachon
Creative Director: @AMakadsi
Senior Creative Producer: @LaurenLalaBaker
Marni Senofonte's Assistants: @VanceGamble @TheDameEffect
Tailors: #TimothyWhite and #ArturoPadilla
Publicist: @yvettenoelschure

Vogue US, September 2018
Photographed by @tylersphotos, fashion editor @tonnegood

Myesha Evon - Photographer
Vogue Portugal with cover star Adit Priscilla - Winners Never Quit, The Sports Issue

Photographer: @myeshaevon  

Cover Credits: Photographs by Myesha Evon
Styling: @marisa_ellison   Model: @adit_priscilla   Hair: @izuizuizu   Make-Up: @christynakay   Nails: @nailnori   Production: @ariesrisingprojects   Executive Producer: @maylinlegoff   On-Set Producer: @ncovrt   Set Designer: @youonlyseewithyoureyes   Casting: @juliunisyourfriend   Lighting: @emmanuel_porquin   Styling Assistant: @lofaro.angela @kisslunaci   Set Assistants: @maxincoolin @eric.thecreative   Editor-in-Chief: @sofia.slucas @kisslunaci   Cover Art Director: @jsantanagq

Greg Monfries - Creative Director
Welspotted

Creative DIrector: greg monfries

Credits: Cover: Titled Quite the Noise - What’s Out there in the World of Cool Creative Director, Greg Monfries. Imagery: Jasper James/Getty Images. White Space; Retail - The Grande Dame Parisian Department Stores; Scene - Tyla

People Books - Creative directed and designed by Greg Monfries

Credits: Cover: Wicked - PEOPLE Books, Story Title: Cover - Wicked; Meet The Ozians - Elphaba, Glinda, Bewitching Glamour Cover - Universal Pictures
Date of Publication: November 1, 2024
Elphaba - Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
Glinda - Sophy Holland for Universal Pictures
Bewitching Glamour - (clockwise from left) Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo; Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Amanda Howell Whitehurst - Illustrator

Amanda Howell Whitehurst Illustrator

Behind the illustrations from the illustrator Amanda Howell along with Credits: "Zendaya for Vivid" Digital Illustration, 2025 This piece was inspired by Zendaya’s 2025 Golden Globe look, which, in turn, was influenced by vintage Black Hollywood glamour. The elegance of her style resonated with my artistic aesthetic. I’ve depicted this illustration on the cover of my fictitious magazine, Vivid.
"Love Jones No #4" Digital Illustration This comic piece is part of a series I created, reimagining the movie Love Jones in a comic style. The inspiration behind this series was my desire to see modern-day Black people represented in the vintage comic aesthetic.
"Beauty in Colors" Digital Illustration This comic piece reimagines classic Black beauty ads through a nostalgic comic-book lens. It was born from my desire to see modern Black identities represented in that timeless vintage aesthetic, blending old-school charm with a fresh, contemporary perspective. @amacieforever

 
 

Kareem Black - Photographer
Met Gala x RayBan After Party Images

John Turturro from the AppleTV+ show Severence photographed by Kareem Black

Imani Nunez - Art Director & Motion Graphic Artist
Essence Ventures/ Beauty Con event promo

Imani Nunez

 

After a four year hiatus, BeautyCon launched their return event with its brand new branding in 2023. It was the PSA to all the Beauty Rebels!
Credits: Essence Ventures: Design/Art Director: Anthony Bryant Imani Nunez: Motion & Graphic Design Art Director

Natasha Cunningham - Illustrator

Natasha Cunningham Photographed by Marlon James

Adobe Photoshop Splash Screen 2022
Artwork by Natasha Cunningham

Adobe Photoshop Splash Screen 2022 Artwork by Natasha Cunningham

 

Sisters From AARP  'Erykah Badu' artwork by Natasha Cunningham; Art Director: Dian Holton

Marvel Studios Wakanda Forever Steelbook packaging artwork by Natasha Cunningham

'The US vs Billie Holiday Movie Artwork for Hulu by Natasha Cunningham'

Mark Harris - Collage Artist
Wired Magazine - Story titled: They told their therapists everything and they leaked it all

mark harris - Collage artist

collage created by Mark Harris
Wired Magazine art director Sam Witney

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Honoring Black History Month

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The SPD Board is honoring Black History Month by kicking off a series that celebrates and honors Black creatives throughout the month of February.

First up are the picks from SPD board member, Emem Offong, VP, User Experience Design Lead, JPMorgan Chase & Co. She would like to highlight and introduce these three amazing women to you.

Notice, follow and support these exceptional women.

Ari Melenciano
@ariciano

“I first encountered Ari’s work at the inaugural Afrotectopia festival in 2018 which she founded. Afrotectopia has since grown into an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of design, art, technology, Black culture and activism—a vital space for visionary work.”

Aurélia Durand
@4ur3lia

“Aurélia’s dynamic and inventive illustrations have been a favorite for years. The extensive color palette she works with—an integral component of her visual style—infuses her work with so much joy.”
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“Nicole has an ingenious talent for transforming ordinary furniture into statement pieces with vibrant, colorful textures and patterns—I love the artful way she pairs prints. To me, her pieces have always evoked home.”

 

Next up in our Honoring Black History Month series, SPD board member Jamie Prokell, Creative Director of Men’s Health would like to introduce and highlight these three groundbreaking creatives.

Make sure to check out their work below and most importantly—Notice, Follow, + Support these exceptional Black men.

SPD-BHM-week22.jpg

Huston Wilson
@hustwilson

“This self-taught lettering artist and graphic designer based in Johannesburg, South Africa, brings a fresh eye and unique talent to his work. I am liking his ability to build typography into the 3d world.”


Arrington Porter
@heir_porter

“Painter, musician, all-around renaissance man. Creating beats, or original art he is always capturing the richness of his experiences. I love the way he blurs the lines of reality and dreams. Always bringing his original voice to whatever medium he is working.”


Mark Harris
@mrkhrrs_

“Mark’s collage work is a blend of raw feelings and witty concepts. He combines images, shapes and colors that evoke a visceral response that I love. His editorial work brings a sense of visual delight to readers everywhere.”

 
 

A Celebration of Football Editorials

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To celebrate the season finale of America’s favorite sport, here are some of our favorite football editorials of all time!

Page Six TV: ESSENCE's December 2018/January 2019 Cover with Entertainment Director, Cori Murray

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Michelle Obama ESSENCE Cover.jpg

Yesterday, ESSENCE debuted their December 2018/January 2019 issue with Michelle Obama gracing the cover. ESSENCE’s Entertainment Director, Cori Murray chatted with Page Six TV about the photoshoot and gave a special shout out to SPD Member and ESSENCE’s Creative Director, Ronda Thompson. Check it out above!

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell: New York Magazine's Latest Issue - School-Shooting Survivors Bear Their Scars, and Bear Witness

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New York Magazine.jpg
 

The October 29 - November 11, 2018 issue of New York Magazine shares a portfolio by photographer Michael Avedon featuring survivors of school shootings from 1946 to 2018. He was recently interviewed on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. Check out the interview below.

To see more from the issue check out the article here and the video the magazine published below.

CREDITS

Design Director: Thomas Alberty

Photography Director: Jody Quon

Photographer: Michael Avedon

ESPN The Magazine's NBA Preview: 30 Dramas To Watch

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ESPN The Magazine debuted their NBA Preview earlier this month on SportsCenter. With five split run print covers and 30 digital posters, this year’s preview compared the teams to television shows. We checked in with ESPN The Magazine Art Director, Rami Moghadam to take us behind-the-scenes. Here’s what he told us about this extensive project:

“Planning this year’s NBA Preview, we knew we were facing a challenge. The Golden State Warriors were yet again projected to be the team to beat. On top of that, we built last year’s NBA Preview around the Warriors. We asked ourselves: If the outcome is such a foregone conclusion, why does anyone care? The answer we landed on is that the NBA is a perpetual motion machine of drama.

So we decided to build this year’s issue around precisely that, drama. We identified the drama point for each team, then ranked the teams not by how good they would be, but by how central their drama would be the coming season. 

Thinking of the 30 NBA teams as individual dramas inspired us to create 30 TV-drama inspired posters with the help of photo illustrator Eric Heintz. Posters for the Lakers (Strangest Things), Thunder (Better Call Paul), Warriors (Empire), 76ers (CSI: Philly), and Celtics (Baller) graced our five covers.

Working with photographer Peter Yang, who shot all features for this issue, we brainstormed ideas to help these dramas come to life by recreating scenes from the shows. To supplement these visuals, we commissioned Alejandro Parrilla Galan to illustrate a set of playful icons, further linking the worlds of basketball and the various TV dramas we were referencing.

In our most ambitious effort in recent memory, we made sure every single page took inspiration from the concept, even redesigning our Forward section, appropriately renaming it The Big Ticket, while also building a custom digital gallery to house all 30 posters”

-Rami Moghadam
Lead Art Director, NBA Preview 

CREDITS

Senior Creative Director, Digital & Print: Chin Wang
Art Directors: Rami Moghadam, Eric Paul
Associate Art Directors: Linda Root Pouder, Munehito Sawada
Senior Designer: Christopher DeLisle
Designer: Tiffany Middleton
Director of Photography, Digital & Print: Tim Rasmussen
Director of Photography, ESPN The Magazine: Karen Frank
Senior Photo Editor: Nick Galac
Photo Researcher: John Klein

Digital Gallery
Art Directors: Heather Donahue, Rami Moghadam
Senior Front End Developer: Joey Maese

Editor-In-Chief: Alison Overholt