Surface (magazine)

Surface was founded in 1993 by Richard Klein and Riley Johndonnell. The magazine was based in San Francisco until 2005, when the main offices were relocated to New York City.

In 1994, Surface was described by Vanity Fair as one of 10 “upstart magazines to watch”.{{Cite web|title = Beneath the surface / San Francisco design zine, now 10, has spread influence far and wide and enjoyed a surge of interest for its innovative approach|url = http://www.sfgate.com/living/article/Beneath-the-surface-San-Francisco-design-zine-2668862.php|website=SFGate| date=28 November 2004 |accessdate=October 31, 2015}} In 1997, Surface introduced its inaugural Avant Guardian issue, which focused on the Avant Guardian Awards, a fashion photography competition. Winners have advanced to work for fashion houses such as Giorgio Armani, Hermès, Banana Republic, Nike, IBM and Levi's—as well as fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle, and general interest magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Mademoiselle, and The New York Times Magazine.{{Cite web|title = The 12th Annual Avant Guardian Project by Surface magazine {{!}} Yatzer|url = https://www.yatzer.com/12th-annual-avant-guardian-project-surface-magazine|website = Yatzer| date=16 June 2009 |accessdate=October 31, 2015}}{{Cite web|title = About Avant Guardian|url = http://www.surfacemag.com/about-avant-guardian/|website = SURFACE|accessdate=October 31, 2015}}

Leaders in fashion and design industries selected 10 finalists annually to have their work featured in a fashion spread and at a launch event. For several years, the competition was expanded to include designers. Between 2011 and 2013, the Avant Guardian was on hiatus, but was revived again in 2014 and 2015, for photographers only.Giermann, Holly. (April 27, 2015) [http://www.archdaily.com/624392/surface-magazine-launches-15th-annual-avant-guardian-photography-contest Surface Magazine Launches 15th Annual Avant Guardian Photography Contest.] ArchDaily. Retrieved August 10, 2016] The 15th and final Avant Guardian issue was published in October 2015.{{cite web|author=Sutton, Kelsey|date=October 2, 2015|title=Surface Magazine to launch travel agency, shutter Avant Guardian issue|publisher=Politico Media|url=http://www.politico.com/media/story/2015/10/surface-magazine-to-launch-travel-agency-shutter-avant-guardian-issue-004184|accessdate=August 10, 2016}}

In 2009, the publication was acquired by Quadra Media.Cook, Geoff. (June 25, 2009). [http://www.basenow.net/2009/06/25/interview-with-riley-johndonnell-pt-1/ “Interview with Riley Johndonnel, pt. 1”.] Base Now. Retrieved August 10, 2016 In 2011, Surface was sold to Sandow Media.(June 27, 2011). [http://www.sandow.com/sandow-acquires-events-international-and-introduces-a-new-series-of-unique-interactive-luxury-experiences/ “Sandow Acquires Events International And Introduces A New Series Of Unique Interactive Luxury Experiences”.] Sandow. Retrieved August 10, 2016.(April 11, 2011). [http://www.editoratlarge.com/articles/sandow-acquires-surface-magazine-creates-china-editions “Sandow acquires Surface Magazine, creates China editions”.] The Editor at Large. Retrieved August 16, 2016]

In 2012, Surface magazine was acquired by Eric Crown, co-founder and current chairman emeritus of the Arizona-based company Insight Enterprises. Surface Media LLC was formed in 2014.

Under CEO Marc Lotenberg and editor-in-chief Spencer Bailey, Surface Media has launched new ventures, including Design Dialogues and Surface Studios. Surface remains a voice in the design industry.Politico Media Staff. (August 10, 2015). [http://www.politico.com/media/story/2015/08/the-60-second-interview-spencer-bailey-editor-in-chief-of-surface-magazine-004056 “The 60-second interview: Spencer Bailey, editor in chief of Surface magazine”], Politico Media. Retrieved August 10, 2016

With the June/July 2013 issue—Bailey's first as editor—Surface unveiled a major design overhaul created in partnership with the consultancy Noë & Associates.(June, 2015). [http://noeassociates.com/projects/two-years-surface-magazine “Two Years Surface Magazine”] Noë & Associates. Retrieved August 10, 2016 Contributing editors who joined during Bailey's first year included Valerie Steele, the director and chief curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology; Bettina Korek, an arts advocate, writer, and the founder of ForYourArt; and architect and designer David Rockwell.

Contributors have offered provocative comments. Wolfe has published highly successful novels and journalism related to New York real estate and society. In the June/July 2016 issue, former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair criticized the media for its failure to have real-time fact checking and to point out lies stated by presidential candidate Donald Trump.[http://www.surfacemag.com/articles/jayson-blair-truth/ "Jayson Blair On Where the Facts Lie"], Surface, 2 June 2016Bloomgarden-Smoke, Kara. (June 2, 2016). [http://observer.com/2016/06/notorious-new-york-times-fabulist-jayson-blair-resurfaces-at-surface-mag/ “Notorious New York Times Fabulist Jayson Blair Resurfaces at Surface Mag”.] Observer. Retrieved August 10, 2016

In 2013 Surface launched the "Design Dialogue" talk series, in which editor-in-chief Spencer Bailey discusses design topics with featured international designers and brands.{{Cite web|title = Design Dialogues|url= http://www.surfacemag.com/design/|website=Surface|accessdate=November 9, 2015}}

In 2015, editor-in-chief Spencer Bailey said that new columns would be added to the magazine, focusing equally on the craftsmanship of fashion and design. These new columns include Detail, which looks at garment and textile detail; Taste, in which a thought leader shares a current personal interest; How It's Made, intended to replace the yearly issue of the same name; Executive, in which an executive discusses the convergence of business and creativity; and Dialogue, a conversation between two creatives. In February 2016, Surface released its first Builders Issue, which focuses on real estate development and architecture.

In 2015, Surface was nominated for ASME's Best Style & Design Cover. {{cite web |last1=Steigrad |first1=Alexandra|title=The American Society of Magazine Editors Reveal Best Covers Finalists |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/american-society-magazine-editors-asme-best-cover-finalists-2016-10304848-10304848/|work=WWD|date=6 January 2016 |accessdate=17 June 2020}}

In 2016, Surface Media also launched a licensing partnership SurfaceHotels.com and a custom publishing house Surface Studios. Surface Studios, before even creating a logo or media kit, has already secured more than $3 Million in contracts including a custom publication for the second-largest real-estate project in the United States, Brickell City Centre. {{cite web|title=Swire Properties announces the launch of Centre, Brickell City Centre's luxury lifestyle magazine, in partnership with Surface Studios |url=https://www.brickellcitycentre.com/press-release/2016/centre-magazine-press-release|work=BCC|accessdate=17 June 2020}}

As a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, CEO Marc Lotenberg and architect Winka Dubbeldam announced the launch of the Surface Summer School at Penn, a design challenge and competition in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. The first partnership was the first its kind between a media company and an accredited university, the challenge invited students from Penn to respond to a brief for architectural and design solutions for a mobile medical testing unit for COVID-19. {{cite web |title=Surface Summer School at Penn |url=https://www.design.upenn.edu/architecture/graduate/events/surface-summer-school-penn |website=Design at UPenn |publisher=U Penn}}

Surface hosts events throughout the year, including art events during Art Basel in Miami, Florida; design events during NYC x Design, and VIP dinners.

{{Reflist|33em}}

• [http://www.surfacemag.com/ Surface website]

Category:2009 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2011 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2012 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Architecture magazines

Category:Design magazines

Category:Fashion magazines published in the United States

Category:Magazines established in 1993

Category:Magazines published in New York City

Category:Magazines published in San Francisco

Category:Visual arts magazines published in the United States