About the project
Covers for the December 2024, January/February 2025, and March 2025 editions of Poetry Magazine were created by Andrea Trabucco-Campos and his team, each offering a distinct visual interpretation tied to the publication’s identity system.
Established in 1912, Poetry Magazine holds the distinction of being the longest-running monthly poetry publication in the English-speaking world.
A key element of its identity—originally developed by Michael Bierut for the Poetry Foundation in 2018—is the recurring invitation for guest designers to reinterpret the letters P O E T R Y for every issue, resulting in a constantly evolving series of covers.
For the December edition, the design draws on early digital aesthetics, referencing 1990s mass-market design tools and “word art.” Using basic shading, bold colors, and default fonts, the composition mimics the look of desktop screenshots, embracing a deliberately unpolished style with a subtle sense of humor.
The January/February issue, dedicated to young writers, explores the idea of emergence through the visual metaphor of a spark. This motif expands into layered, radiating clusters that form the letter shapes. Paired with a bright palette of contrasting yellow and sky blue, the design conveys the vibrancy and creative energy of new poetic voices.
For the March issue, which features work exclusively by Indigenous poets, primarily from the Navajo Nation, the design is informed by research into Navajo visual traditions, including weaving and textile patterns. These influences are reflected in the type treatment, which combines structured letterforms with flowing, thread-like overlays. The use of earthy tones further references the material and cultural heritage of tapestry-making.
