David Beckitt

The research question was ‘how to rethink existing surf magazines whilst avoiding the clichés associated with the genre?’. In designing Backwash, Beckitt aimed to occupy a hinterland between books and traditional journals. It is a largely non-commercial and non-profit publication, with little need for advertising space, allowing the designer to utilise ample white space; rare in commercial ‘magazine’ design. It contains long-form texts, excerpts from Pulitzer-winning literature, photo-essays and articles on art, poetry, and music.   The backwash members formed an international ‘editorial board’ of surfers/creators who placed a high value on uniqueness within the genre. The board reviewed the originality and relevance of all contributions, from written content to editorial illustration, looking for an approach not replicated elsewhere.   Beckitt’s role was to design the journal and establish a template for future issues. The research question was articulated through design, print, and production of all issues to date.   Over 3700 copies of Backwash were sold internationally. Stocked in independent surf shops, the magazine is also sold by: www.kubrick.com.hk (Hong Kong); Athenaeum Boekhandel (Netherlands); and Magma (UK). The journal aims to engage with a wider environmental and ethical audience with a promise to plant a tree for every copy sold. To date, 3000+ trees have been planted along the coast of Western Ireland. It is printed using soya-based inks on FSC® certified paper with eco-print laminate.   Backwash was peer reviewed by internationally recognised industry experts Steven Watson (‘Stack Magazines’), Jeremy Leslie (‘Magculture’ and ‘Creative Review’), and Alistair Klinkenberg for international surf journal ‘Monster Children’. In his video review, Watson indicated that Backwash is innovating within the genre, saying it is “A magazine that is setting out to be bigger than trends in surfing … it undercuts surfing cliché, and is a little bit more post-modern and self-reflexive … fantastic artwork and photography”. Magculture review: https://magculture.com/december-2015/ Stack magazine review: https://www.stackmagazines.com/outdoors-motors/video-review-backwash-magazine/

Book design for the title ‘Icon: Icon Design for Social Media’ published by Counter-Print. The book contains over 200 examples of social media icons from many well-known, as well as up-and-coming, graphic designers and illustrators. This limited and concise canvas for self-expression is represented within this book through a host of examples collected from around the world, chosen for their creativity, intelligence and beauty. Counter-Print is an online book store and publishers specialising in art and design books. Founded in 2008 by Céline Leterme and Jon Dowling, Counter-Print is an independent British company which ships worldwide.