Judges comments: This magazine and source guide looks good, includes extensive listings of HiDef vendors across many categories, and also provides a solid editorial package up front.

Judges comments: This issue of Hospitality Upgrade is a keeper — from the compelling cover to the several useful articles inside.

Judges comments: Takeaway galore describes this helpful magazine that never panders to its readers.

Judges comments: This is a simply beautiful magazine that's also packed with useful and truly interesting info.

Judges comments: In this brief Q&A, the reader is treated to a different side of LL Cool J as the surprisingly business-savvy musician-turned-entrepreneur opens up about his goals for a new line of clothing under the label Todd Smith.

Judges comments: In this cleanly-written portrait of a fascinating statesman, the reader gets an ever-deepening portrait of a principled American.

Judges comments: A dream-like evocation of the poet by the founder of Richard Hugo House, the literary center based in Seattle. In an attempt to get to know the man posthumously, the author embarks on a journey of discovery that very nearly brings the poet back to life.

Charlotte Magazine - November 2008

Judges comments: A superbly written portrait of a budding college superstar basketball player who seems, against all odds, equipped to withstand the onslaught of attention celebrity has brought him.

Judges comments: I expected to find on the home page a dominate visual element, some stunning piece of photography. Instead the site's initial page is understated and to be honest, I found that refreshing. The flash gallery is well done. I would seriously consider more use of audio slideshows to take advantage of the medium. Soundslides is a nice program, easy to use, cheap, and can add something to the section where photographers write about their photos. The Profit Center is a good idea given the marketed audience for the magazine and site. The writing is technical, but then again that's the mission of much of the site and its articles.

Judges comments: Simple, clean look. Subtle at times, which is a nice change of pace in a world of hetchy-sketchy web sites. This site reflects not only the magazine but the marketing plan and target audience. The writing is straightforward, unfortunately not as stylish as the look of the site and mag, but serviceable. The links on the main page, below the This Month features, could have larger text. The blogs are outdated and that particular page, at least on my computer, oddly formatted. I really like the "current issue" idea, though it took me a while to figure out exactly how to navigate the pages.

Paste Magazine

Judges comments: Few web sites so mirror their print sibling: energetic, frantic, list-busy, music-crazed. Part of me wishes they could expand beyond music and part of me thinks the site and mag are on the right track. I like how the editors are able to find music-oriented approaches to almost everything (even space). All the gizmos work well and I applaud the site for taking advantage of the medium. The site is busy but not overly so (an annoying pop-up early on is, well, annoying). A lot to like here. Given the amount of content on the initial page, everything loads quickly.

Judges comments: The writer poses a question right away—about why the state of Georgia has proven to be such fertile ground for musical talent. Throughout the lengthy essay, James Flynn introduces us to bands and other musical talents and cities throughout the state. So, we’re taking this journalistic journey together to find the answer—which he, surprisingly, admits to not being able to answer. Now that’s a surprise ending.

Judges comments: Alison concludes her enlightening essay with the phrase, “It’s cool to be cheap.” One of the secrets of any good piece of prose—fiction, nonfiction, even poetry—is the ability to end on a memorable note. Throughout this essay, we’ve been learning about consumer practices and, yet, we finish the work with an echo of the writer’s message. Real craftsmanship is in evidence here.

Judges comments: This is a brave, no-holes-barred, no-euphemisms-allowed look at a highly charged topic: terrorism and its religious and nationalist roots. According to Parekh, everyone is at blame and, yet, everyone has the power to enact solutions. This is a convincing and thoughtful editorial.

Judges comments: What might at first appear to be a prosaic, daresay frivolous topic (buying doll clothes), becomes a substantial rumination on parenthood and the nature of acquisition and competition. This is a funny, self-deprecating, compelling, and expertly crafted essay that raises—and answers—questions. When an essay can do that, it deserves attention and its topic and language resonates.

Judges comments: This is one of those “difficult” essays that you find yourself bracketing and underlining and determining to remember and quote to other people. The poet Stephen Dunn takes on one of the most elusive of subjects, the nature of the creation of art (poetry, sculpture, whatever), and helps makes sense of it for any reader. This is accessible philosophy. Upon reading this essay, it is very likely, if you are an artist or just a lover of art, that you will forever question the form a particular creation takes. This is both an inspiring and revelatory essay.

Georgia Trend  - August 2008

Paste Magazine - March 2008

Judges comments: No matter what your take might be on rock music and pop culture—whether you like it or not, respect it or not—this essay proves that popular culture is part of true culture. This is a very human and poignant—and candid—paean to a celebrity, a controversial one certainly, but one whose life and work figure prominently in recent American history. And by looking at a public figure this closely, the writer has written a heartfelt memoir, of sorts.

In the Mix - Winter 2008

Judges comments: I loved the opener photograph. The opener did everything an opener is supposed to do. Give the reader a sense of place, and telegraph in an instant what the story is about.

Professional Photographer - January 2008

Judges comments: Howard Schatz’s work is absolutely beautiful.

Habitat World - March 2008

Judges comments: Through Steffan Hacker’s photographs you really get a sense of the people of cote D’Ivoire and how they live.

Gwinnett Magazine - March/April 2008

Judges comments: Wow! Don’t you wish every magazine could devote so many pages to one subject and eight full pages of beautiful Black and White photographs. Well done!

Judges comments: As this layout shows, sometimes its best to just let the photography speak for itself.

Judges comments: I have been to Serenbe and David Christensen's photography captures the spirit of this community spot on.

Judges comments: Good, solid information on two key demographic groups and the marketing implications for businesses that want to reach them. Presentation is straightforward, clear, helpful and interesting.

Judges comments: Very well-conceived and -executed package. The abundant photos work well with the text. The staffers' poll is a nice touch.

Judges comments: Excellent package on a timely subject, filled with specific and helpful advice. Strong design. Clearly, the editors put a great deal of work into this, to good effect.

Judges comments: Superbly edited and written tribute to the poet Richard Hugo. As Stephen Corey writes (addressing Hugo) in his introductory essay, it is a noble effort to "keep your poetry in motion."

Paste Magazine - October 2008

Judges comments: Gold. Three strong writers grapple, from intriguingly diverse perspectives, with the vexing problem of violence in popular culture.

Judges comments: Dead-on solid, practical, immensely useful information for apparel specialists. Well illustrated, clearly explained, and smartly presented. With one story, readers get an immediate return on the price of a subscription. It’s a perfect example of reader service at a high level.

Atlanta Parent - October 2008

Judges comments: Clear, focused, and helpful advice, perfectly customized for parents in the Atlanta region. While showing parents how to introduce children to politics, this piece also inspires those parents to participate in the process and gain a new appreciation for the right to vote. This is a civic lesson for the entire family.

Judges comments: Specific, clear, and tremendously useful information for owners or lessees of hunting land. This story explains in detail how readers can improve the quality of their property with minimal effort and at absolutely no cost. It's the near-perfect DIY story.

Judges comments: A full pantry of information on how arthritis sufferers can get back in the kitchen, in an attractive, easy-to-read package. Sidebars of those who have learned how to rediscover their joy of cooking are simultaneously interesting and inspirational. “Kitchen Help” is a permanent addition to a reader's recipe file.

Judges comments: The image of the bloody stake in the evidence bag is arresting and well executed, and the clean uncluttered design of the cover allows the image to stand on its own without distraction. I was especially impressed by the attention to detail on the image, The authenitic look of all the elements makes you believe that it might be real, and like a car wreck on the side of the road, I couldnt help but look to find out (I'll assume the blood is fake, right?).

Professional Photographer - May 2008

Judges comments: Any photography magazine has a distinct advantage in a creative judging, because it can choose from a variety of great images to create a cover without having to conceive, assign and execute that image. That said, this issue of Professional Photographer deserves to be recognized for their choice of an inspirational portrait of a handicapped swimmer staring defiantly into the ocean. When you can pick whatever you want for a cover, I imagine its tempting to opt for attractive but non-controversial images that will look good on a coffee table, but won't risk offending or challenging readers. In this case, though, they showed that great Photography is more than just pretty pictures, that it is also a powerful medium that can inspire emotion and hope. The choice of this image, along with the clean elegant design, combine to make a powerful statement and a memorable cover.

LakeLife - Summer 2008

Judges comments: The combination of a fun, energetic image, along with a clean and controlled design and color palette, make this a cover that really succeeds in showing a classic carefreee summer moment.

Atlanta Life Magazine - June 2008

Judges comments: The bright colorful energy of the Peter max illustration is a nice choice for the cover of a cultural guide. The design is nicely in sync with the artwork, and is controlled so that it conveys the information without competing with the iimagery.

Judges comments: I really love the clean simple format of this cover. It’s a very modern design that seems like an appropriately minimalist framework for showcasing art. I like the single color in the type that compliments the photo, and I find the typographic hierarchy easy to navigate. The photo is wonderfully quirky, and it leaves me wanting to know more about who these people are, which makes me want to explore the inside of the magazine, and that's the sign of a good cover.

Charlotte Magazine - October 2008

Judges comments: Even though there are a lot of different stories on this cover, the controlled design and color palette succeed in focusing my attention on the main idea of "Barbecue". The typography is friendly and inviting and, combined with a strong central image, everything works well together to create a very appealing (and appetizing) package.

Judges comments: Excellent, fluid writing and a very interesting subject area for the magazine’s audience. Not only did it talk about the job of filmmaking, but it made the process of doing the interviews and the types of people involved in the subject area fascinating.

Judges comments: Again, very well written … the top qualification for a good feature. On the other hand, it’s also an interesting study of how the magazine’s readership space is changing and expanding. Particularly relevant as the whole real estate business is transforming itself.

Judges comments: Kids Enabled's “A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words” excels far beyond the title’s adage and stands as proof of the unique impact strong print packaging can have. Pairing examples of the children’s final artwork—from many different special schools/programs—with first-person explanations from the dedicated professionals who lovingly coax such expression results in a feature greater than the sum of its parts. The up-close editorial approach, showcasing the crucial barrier-breaking force art can accomplish for “non-mainstream” kids, offers information, insight and hope at a level one guesses would have not been achievable in a more mundane, conventional format.

Atlanta Life Magazine - February 2008

Judges comments: With solid journalist ingredients, toned with a personal stake by the author, Atlanta Life Magazine’s “Thirsty for More” accomplishes a call for action, made palatable by its considered editorial voice. The power of this feature's factual, apolitical point of view reveals that everyone is at fault—residents, builders, bureaucrats, the government. Because of its astute lack of finger-pointing, the reader is emboldened, not overwhelmed. If we all must face the issue of water conservation together, this article offers the very real potential that we can manage this life-changing problem and succeed.

The Georgia Review - Winter 2008

Judges comments: Posing myriad provocations bolstered by thorough academic study and reinforced by hard-to-swallow personal storytelling and reflection, Susan Gubar’s “My Franziska, Charlotte Salomon, and the Decision Not to Be: Suicide Before, During and After the Holocaust” presents a sophisticated web of human (and particularly female) action, reaction and behavior. Initially motivated by her own family’s pathways and choices as German Jews, Gubar incorporates the philosophy of Simone Weil, Etty Hillesum and, with great analysis, the German painter Charlotte Salomon’s oeuvre to grapple with the enormity of “how to live” and “how to die.” The Georgia Review’s inclusion of twelve of Salomon’s illustrations, along with Gubar’s reasoned ideas and assertions, elevates this important feature to one with lasting reverberations.

Judges comments: In a country that romances the national right to bear arms, Van Miller in Charlotte Magazine’s “Fear/Guns” seamlessly blends his (and one can assert, the majority’s) misgivings toward this deadly tool of power and concomitantly the almost salacious craving for becoming a master of the gun. The dichotomy of debilitating fear toward guns and being in control with guns is confronted head on in this, at times, perversely humorous feature.

Judges comments: The edgy design stars in In the Mix, complimented by a nice combination of interesting features, product information and marketing ideas.

Judges comments: Professional Photographer's Nov. 2008 "How to do everything better" special issue was jam-packed with useful information, creatively presented and tightly written. This magazine's editors do a great job of delivering on their mission statement by providing a good balance of business, technical and artistic-development articles. The clean layout and tons of great photos make this a fun read even for the non-professional photographer.

Judges comments: Lakelife embodies the spirit of affluent community living and tourism. Its duel mission to appeal to both residents and visitors is achieved through its blend of local features, town history, and activity guides. The high-quality design and articulate writing serve to invoke a sense of pride in locals and promote interest for tourists. 

Skirt! Magazine

Judges comments: The combination of exciting artwork, inspirational design, and eloquent writing makes skirt! magazine a remarkable approach to feminist media. The magazine’s sassy and confident attitude resonates in the wide variety of topics and makes the reader feels as though she is part of an exclusive club all girls want to join.

Judges comments: Charlotte Magazine's Home & Garden illustrates the one-two punch a strong collaborative effort between editorial and design can deliver. A damn fine example of how designers can tell a story and how writers can conjure an image.

Paste Magazine - August 2008

Judges comments: Paste is a magazine at one with its readership. From the on-target editorial selections and solid reporting to the provocative images and edgy, but clean design, Paste is simultaneously familiar and full of surprises. It's a masterful example of what magazine publishing should be.

In the Mix - Spring, Summer, Winter 2008

Judges comments:  While this is a trade magazine, it takes a lot of the right cues from consumer lifestyle publications. Considering this magazine is most  likely going to be read by restaurant, bar, and hotel managers, I was impressed to see the vineyard travel stories alongside the mandatory industry content. The design reads is easy on the eyes and the magazine delivers strong cover photos.

Professional Photographer - January, May, November 2008

Judges comments: This beautifully executed magazine offers real information for its readership. Professional Photographer does an excellent job of delivering a good balance of tech and business business content, with a strong editorial voice, and smart design. And the pictures aren't bad, either! 

Judges comments: Habitat World fulfills its mission to illuminate the work of Habitat for Humanity through well-written stories about the individuals whose lives are vastly improved because of the organization’s efforts. Its well-packaged profiles are both timely and timeless and help to illustrate the ongoing need for basic, proper shelter for disadvantaged people throughout the world.

Skirt! Magazine

Judges comments: Charlotte Woman  excels as a regional magazine with well crafted production and highly readable articles about women who lead in the cultural and business sectors of the local community. The content is thoughtful and executed with great care for both the subjects and reading audience.It is a thoroughly enjoyable publication of high merit.

The Georgia Review

Judges comments: GEORGIA REVIEW: “What if you happened to pick up an issue of a literary journal from forty-five years ago and found it to be full of interesting stuff?” reads the first line of Mark Halliday’s piece in the Summer 2008 edition of The Georgia Review. While Halliday was writing about The Hudson Review, the same can be said for The Georgia Review. The common thread in the stories, essays and reviews that run through this quarterly is that they are beautifully written, often timeless and in an era of disposable culture, worth saving.

Paste Magazine

Judges comments: PASTE: While many magazines  follow the trends in pop culture, PASTE sets them, often questioning or upending popular opinion. Fresh, honest and surprising, it tells the stories behind talent in music, film and other culture and explores its topics with compelling and creative writing, striking graphics and a style of its own.