Futu Magazine
Publishing and Design Group Sp.zo.o
FUTU Magazine is an exclusive, based in Warsaw, International magazine about design, art and future trends in luxury. Published and printed in Poland by Publishing and Design Group. From 2008 FUTU Magazine is co-created by the most prestigious graphic design studios in the world.
Warsaw, Poland
ul. Odolanska 60, 02-563
Email: futu@futumag.com
- Category: Architecture, Design, Fashion, Photography
- Periodicity: Bimonthly
- Language: English / Polish
- Format: 230 x 280 mm
- Circulation: 6,500
- Price: 19 €
- Web: http://www.futumag.com
Founded in 2006
Self, People, Surround
Self: Extremely creative individual presenting his subjective vision of the world (graphic design, fashion design, illustration, photography, interior, architecture, text). So far we featured Chuck Anderson, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Satoshi Okada, Ross Lovergrove.
People: Impartial observation and analysis of social life of modern people. Looking at cultures, subcultures, people, relationships, society and teams. Seeing dependence and independence.
Surround: All the material things that surrounds us: design, fashion, art., architecture, objects. Among the names we've covered so far were Francoise Roche, John Pawson, Diller & Scofidio, Didier Fiuza Faustino, Thomas Wrede, Matthieu Lahnneur, we wrote about Biomega bikes, rapid prototyping technology, Wally design. As well as presented designers: Konstantin Grcic, Jaime Hayon, Marcel Wanders.
Exclusive Interview
Futu
What is your magazine about?
FUTU Magazine is about the design, photography and modern meaning of luxury.
Who’s behind the project? Tell us about the founders, their backgrounds and their motivations!
In the beginning there were 3 of us Monika Mielczarek, Tomek Zieliński and myself. We were working on the project for almost a year before printing first issue. It was hard research and concept job. We have always been fascinated with the design and graphic design particularly. We wanted to create a magazine, which would be a combination of a great, creative activity and all the subjects that we want to read about and we are interested in.
How do you produce one issue? How much time do you spend on it? How big is your team?
The basic rule of FUTU is to look at one subject from a different points of view and putting this ideas into a basic structure of the magazine, which is always self-people-surround. There are nine of us working in the team. We also invite contributors from all over the world. Then comes the design. Design process takes about a month, production – another 2 weeks.
What have been the important steps in the life of your magazine?
First the most important step was a to prepare the whole concept of FUTU. Now, when we look back at all the sketches and mock-ups from that time, we feel really proud of what we’ve created. Second big decision was to launch our project of international collaborations with various design studios – we had to modify the whole production of each issue including final works in the studio abroad. FUTU is being designed by one of the most outstanding design studios in the world.
Now we have international distribution in the various concept store and bookstores worldwide. I believe it’s a challange.
Which are the key ingredients for the success of your magazine?
Hard work, great people we work with, development, determination.
What are the difficulties you are confronted with? What would be “the” thing to help the magazine to improve?
The basic difficulty was being a pioneer in the segment of concept magazines on the Polish market. As in every business we find the difficulties every day, but it is us to challenge them. Good thing for our magazine is going international
Where do you want the magazine to be in five years?
I want it to be well recognizable, international title and the most important Polish magazine about the design and modern living. I would love FUTU to be a medium that is marking out the aesthetic values and graphic design standards – not only in Poland but also in the wider, international perspective.
Tell us about your audience! Who are the readers of your magazine?
I think they are people demanding more from reality that just what it is. I thing they are people who expect some positive stimulation, who are already fed up with ordinary medium, who really cares about aesthetics – in graphic, objects, who aren’t indifferent in how everything is shaped.
Is remaining independent important to you? Is it part of the strategy?
It is a part of a strategy. FUTU is a concept magazine, looks more like an album. It means we simply don’t write about things sent in to our editorial team. We rather pick up from what fascinates us. FUTU is not a typical consumer magazine, which directly inflicts the life style of the readers. For us it just really matters what we propose to the audience. We seriously feel responsible for what and who we present and we care about the trust given to us. We want to stay fair.
What’s your relationship with advertisement? Does it influence your content? Do you care about advertising-driven-editorials?
We separate the content from the advertisements. For last three years we have elaborated really big understanding of what we do and our advertisers finally appreciated the real value of communication with the readers not only through obvious brand’s layouts but also through the real value of the content. They expect us to keep a high level of the articles without any involves. This really good atmosphere helps us.
What do you think of your issue 01, when you look back at it?
I couldn’t look at it for almost a year. Now I have a good fun with all little mistakes we made but I know it always happens when you start up your first magazine. I also feel quite happy and proud with what we have done so far. Especially when I compare the first and the latest issue.
Magazine favorite(s) that inspired you in your career.
I find the inspiration not only in the magazines but also other prints and “idea-pushing-projects”. It is really hard to name one, it depends on the moment..
Do you keep old copies of magazines? If so, what is your favorite in your collection?
I keep the magazines. I would say it is a kind of library but not a collection. I like magazines being not only papers but also a kind of objects. Well designed and high quality printed magazines invite you to keep them. I really like old Polish magazine “Projekt”.
How many magazines do you buy / get / read each month? Do you qualify yourself a maniac?
I like to try new titles but on the regular basis I select only these titles that mean something to me.
We are compiling answers from some of the most innovative magazine makers around the world today. Who else should we ask?
Try Albert Folch.
Interview of Wojciech Ponikowski, publisher and founder of FUTU Magazine
Publisher
Publishing and Design Group Sp.zo.o
ul. Odolanska 60, 02-563, Warszawa, Poland
- 2044
- 5180
- 2482
- 662
