I take special notice in expressions of interest and involvement that grow out of devotion
True passion is rare.
I know it’s popular to say that everyone has passion for their work, but I’ve come to believe that it’s actually pretty rare. That much creative energy and expertise, instead, is expended moving value from one hand to the other.
That’s not a criticism—commerce makes lots of good things possible (I’m a card-carrying member of the commerce thing). But I can’t help but take special notice when I encounter expressions of interest and involvement that appear at least, to have grown out of a pure devotion to one’s subject.
I see that in UPPERCASE—a print magazine that first started publishing in 2009. A print magazine, are you kidding?! Who starts a magazine in the age of Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter?
Haha… someone with passion does—publisher, editor, and designer Janine Vangool.
The purpose of UPPERCASE is to take a look at the creative process from all angles: profiling creatives, peeking into work environments, pointing to examples of styles and palettes, uncovering interesting ephemera—Vangool even devotes space to profiles of her subscribers—an approach that (to me) demonstrates something important about her thinking.
But enough with the accolades (no, Janine Vangool is not a relative). I can tell you though, the first thing I did after closing the last page of the first issue I saw, was to go online and subscribe.
Here’s what I mean:
You can buy the current issue or subscribe here…
Janine Vangool spoke at HOW Design Live 2015…
Take a look and tell me what you think below…
I am so glad you discover Uppercase Chuck … it is an incredible experience, like nothing that you see out there. Not only is it one of the most beautifully and thoughtfully compiled magazines I’ve ever experienced … it has NO advertising! The first issue I ever saw was all about Type. I was hooked. As you said, Janine defines the word passionate, and we get to be the recipients of her love of great design.
Thank you for sharing this! What a great, inspiring magazine – as is Janine’s story.