There’s been a proliferation of independent quarterlies and journals in the last couple of years with food themed titles leading the way. The popularity in these titles is driven by people’s interest in the subject and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. But we’re now seeing an emergence of another popular topic taking hold in independent publishing. Makers, crafters, builders; publications that profile the people behind the objects. Titles like Made Quarterly from Australia, Hole & Corner from England, Atlas Quarterly from Brooklyn, and now Collective Quarterly from the U.S.

Collective Quarterly’s distinctive angle is on exploration, not only in discovering the artisans and the way they work but the journey and the land they work from. The publication is founded by three gents from three cities working collectively, from Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, to Middlebourne, West Virginia. The premiere issue will take us to Marfa, Texas, with profiles on Minnesota based Faribault Woolen Mill Company, and Drift Eyewear from Chicago. Contributors include Max Wastler of All Plaid Out, and photographers Kevin Russ and Duncan Wolfe. Collective Quarterly is now accepting pre-orders with a launch date to be announced soon.

We’re excited about Hole & Corner, a new magazine coming out of England that “celebrates craft, beauty, passion and skill.” The bi-annual publication will have a digital counterpart with what appears to be content and e-commerce driven to support craftsmen by exposing their work to a wider audience. Bill Gentle (Backyard Bill) will be contributing but little else is known as who and what will be in the first issue. The big reveal is set for May 23rd or sooner according to their twitter feed. Until then have a look at their facebook, instagram, and pinterest to see the aesthetic and creative direction they are most likely taking.

mono.kultur, the art and culture publication coming out of Berlin has rigid yet flexible guidelines. Each issue features an in depth interview on only one subject, yet the format varies from subject to subject. The people they choose to feature are creative individuals from a variety of disciplines from GZA and Dave Eggers to Tilda Swinton and architecture firm MVRDV. The format will change depending on the personality they select. Take for instance Chris Ware’s issue, where his famed cover designs are considered in the format. The 28 page issue comes with a separate dust cover accompanied with a 12 page foldable insert. The newest issue on Kim Gordan changes things up. It’s 24 pages and includes six cards and a poster of Gordan’s work. Pick up a copy directly at mono.konsum.

Though Francis Ford Coppola’s lit magazine Zoetrope All-Story has been around since 1997 it doesn’t receive the attention that other magazines of its caliber gets. All-Story quietly publishes every quarter inviting a stellar lineup of guest editors and designers. A look at their back issues and you will be amazed by its list of contributors. The latest issue is no different, with Geoff McFetridge taking over the reins for design. Its been a long time since McFretridge’s early days as the Art Director of the seminal music / culture mag Grand Royal. A look at the pages will see how far he’s come from the punk rock / haphazard layouts GR was known for. The issue also includes stories from Dan Keane, Cody Klippenstein, Patrick Dacey, and the republication of Daphne du Maurier’s “The Birds” in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Hitchcock’s movie.

Re-gifting isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it pertains to charity. Australian ad agency, BMF, launched a campaign called Mail Books For Good, in which they help donate books to homeless and disadvantage individuals in the easiest way possible. They came up with an ingenious idea of designing a dust cover that doubles as an envelope ready to be dropped in the mail. When you’re finished with the book simply fold the dust jacket over to seal its content. It wraps neatly into a prepaid package ready to be sent off. BMF partnered with Random House Australia to realize this idea. It currently only has a handful of titles under the campaign but the concept can be translated with ease to make it scaleable and effective. via Creative Review.

It’s Nice That, the popular British design and art blog coming out of London has been publishing a quarterly under the same name for several years now. The latest issue is changing it up a bit and is somewhat rebooting itself with a new name and format, clearly and unmistakably called Printed Pages. The 84-page magazine is now saddle stitched with a new cover price of £4. Issue one of Printed Pages includes interviews with Sagmeister & Walsh and Chris Ware, a peep into Apartamento’s found Omar Sosa’s apartment, a look at Why Not Associate’s portfolio and much more. Printed Pages is available now on their site, Company of Parrots and will be making its way to U.S. bookstores shortly.