The Human Being Journal is a beautifully designed, mightily impressive publication

A late contender for my favourite editor’s letter opening line of the year comes courtesy of the new issue of Human Being Journal, the magazine produced by US-based clothing and lifestyle store Need Supply Co.

It begins: “When the internet first smashed the world flat, we all jostled for position. With everyone at eye level, it seemed obvious that to be different was paramount. And so we curated the prettiest lives possible and pushed off into the arcane and obstinately unconventional.”

It’s a fitting opening for this fascinating little magazine; classy, intriguing and beautifully considered. New Editor-In-Chief Tag Christof has put together an issue which celebrates “humans who have made a mark through brilliant riffs on the regular” including Rafaël Rozendaal, Unit Editions, David Wilson and the teams behind both Apartamento and boat magazines. Chen Chen and Kai Williams have produced a series of improvised shanks (an aggressive homage to Martino Gamper’s 100 chairs in 100 days) and photographic talent on show includes Yann Faucher, Clement Pascal and Marcelo Gomes (whose portrait of Ana Kras adorns the cover).

It’s a real lesson in how to make a beautiful printed object without drifting into self-indulgence, and creative director Gabriel Ricioppo and designer Eric Gilkey deserve enormous credit for such assured use of different paper stocks to manage the rhythm of the magazine.

Now available in the UK, Human Being Journal is definitely a publication worth tracking down.