named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Cover of the Week
Curated showcase highlighting exceptional magazine and publication cover designs from around the world, featuring creative teams and production details.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Annual SPD Awards ProgramHosts and produces the annual SPD Awards to recognize excellence in publication design, including categories such as Cover of the Year, Website of the Year, Video of the Year, Magazine of the Year, and Brand of the Year, with both in-person and streamed ceremonies. The event includes a public photo gallery and recognition of Gold and Silver Medal Winners and Highest Honors.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Branded merchandise collaborationSells branded merchandise through a capsule clothing collection developed in collaboration with designer Josie Norton, promoting the organization’s identity and supporting outreach.
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Professional Excellence Awards Programs 1 activity
- Herb Lubalin Award for Lifetime AchievementPresents the annual Herb Lubalin Award to honor sustained contributions to the field of publication design, recognizing individuals for their lifetime impact on the profession.
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Professional Job Board & Career Placement Services 1 activity
- Job board and freelance designer platformOperates a job board and Work Space, an online platform that connects employers with freelance publication designers, supporting professional development and employment opportunities in the design community.
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Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Member engagement and mentorship featureOffers a public-facing feature that allows individuals to submit questions to experienced publication design professionals, fostering knowledge sharing and mentorship within the field.
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Photography and Creative Arts Competitions 1 activity
- Online features showcasing design excellenceRecognizes and promotes excellence in publication design through ongoing digital features such as "Cover of the Day," weekly illustration highlights, and curated photo series including "Photo of the Week" and thematic projects like "City of Angels."
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Podcast on magazine publishing and designProduces a podcast series that explores the history and contemporary practice of magazine publishing and editorial design, contributing to public discourse and education in the field.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Professional networking eventsHosts regular in-person and virtual happy hour events in New York City and Washington, D.C. to connect publication design professionals, foster community, and facilitate idea-sharing among members and creatives.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$273K
Contributions & grants$36K13%
Program service revenue$236K87%
Investment income$20%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$278K
Program expenses58%
Admin / overhead38%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$117K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$77K
Cash$72K
Investments$0
Liabilities$23K
Net assets$54K
Liquid reserves3.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEISHA DEAN | Executive Director | 40 | $100K |
board members · 11
- BRIAN LUTZ — Director
- CARRIE MIFSUD — Director
- CHIN WANG — Director
- DAVIAN-LYNN HOPKINS — Director
- DIAN HOLTON — Director
- EMIL LENDOF — Director
- JEANNE GRAVES — Director
- JOSUE EVILLA — Director
- KAREN FRANK — Director
- SUSANNA HAYWARD — Director
- ZARA KATZ — Director
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Adobe Partner — Collaborated with illustrator Natasha Cunningham on the 2022 Adobe Photoshop splash screen artwork.
- Apple Partner — Collaborated on visual content for Apple Music and Apple App Store, including Black Music Month and MLK Day 2025 features.
- Bandcamp Partner — Employer of event host Josie Keefe, who is affiliated with SPD through event participation.
- Blackwing Partner — Sponsor of the 61st Annual SPD Awards
- Blackwing Partner — Sponsor of the 61st Annual SPD Awards.
- Bloomberg Markets Partner — Featured publication in the Society of Publication Designers' "Cover of the Day" series
- Essence Partner — Recognizes Folayemi Fo Wilson for her visual leadership at Essence magazine
- Essence Ventures Partner — Collaborated on branding and promotional materials for the BeautyCon event return in 2023.
- FREEHOLD BROOKLYN Partner — Host venue for the in-person cocktail reception following the 57th Annual SPD Awards.
- Fast Company Partner — Featured publication in the Society of Publication Designers' "Cover of the Day" series
- Friends on Mars Partner — Provides musical entertainment for the Kickback & Connect Happy Hour event.
- I-D Partner — Featured publication in the Society of Publication Designers' "Cover of the Day" series
- Josie Norton Partner — Collaborates with designer Josie Norton on a capsule merchandise collection.
- Marvel Studios Partner — Commissioned illustrator Natasha Cunningham for artwork on the Wakanda Forever Steelbook packaging.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Referenced as a site of early inspiration through exposure to design and art, indicating a cultural affiliation.
- New York Magazine Partner — Featured publication in the Society of Publication Designers' "Cover of the Day" series
- Newspaper Club Partner — Sponsor of the 61st Annual SPD Awards
- Newspaper Club Partner — Sponsor of the 61st Annual SPD Awards.
- Poupay Photo Partner — Provided photography for the 61st Annual SPD Awards.
- Random House Partner — Published book illustrations by David Elmo Cooper for "Love Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids."
- The Georgia Room at Freehand Hotel Partner — Venue host for the in-person cocktail reception of the 61st Annual SPD Awards
- The Magician Partner — Venue hosting the SPD Last Thursday Happy Hour event in New York City.
- The New York Times Partner — Featured illustrations by David Elmo Cooper for an article titled "The Challenge of an Open House with Children."
- The Tyler Twins Partner — Collaborates with The Tyler Twins for photography featured in its Photo of the Week series
- The Wall Street Journal Partner — Employer of event host Alexandra Citrin-Safadi, who is affiliated with SPD through event participation.
- Time Out Japan Partner — Featured publication in the Society of Publication Designers' "Cover of the Day" series
- Universal Pictures Partner — Collaborated on cover and promotional materials for PEOPLE Books' Wicked feature.
- Vogue Italia Partner — Featured publication in the Society of Publication Designers' "Cover of the Day" series
- Vox Partner — Employer of event host Paige Vickers, who is affiliated with SPD through event participation.
- Wacom Partner — Sponsored the Student Awards at the 61st Annual SPD Awards.
+ 2 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Conceptual and Cross-Platform Visual Storytelling as a Unifying Practicemethodology: conceptual_visual_storytellingBy advancing conceptual photography and narrative techniques across media platforms, the organization strengthens the impact of publication design, because translating abstract ideas into controlled visual narratives enhances communication depth and audience engagement beyond traditional formats.
- Peer-Driven Collaboration and Knowledge Sharingmethodology: peer-knowledge-sharingBy creating structured and informal opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction across career stages and disciplines, the organization fosters professional growth and innovation, because learning through direct exchange with peers increases inspiration, builds trust, and enables practical skill transfer that formal training cannot provide.
- Promotion of Design Excellence to Advance the Fieldmethodology: design-excellence-promotionBy recognizing and showcasing outstanding publication design through annual awards and curated features, the organization elevates professional standards and drives field-wide improvement, because visibility of exemplary work inspires higher benchmarks and widespread adoption of best practices.