Posted 29 April 2020

Back catalogues and archives: Dig into these design and magazine treasure troves

Whether you’re looking for research material or inspiration, we’ve collected a range of back catalogues and archives that provide years of history. Spanning illustration, graphic design, architecture, typography, calligraphy and more – there’s something here for everyone. Some say serendipity is key to the archive experience, so have a dig around and see what you stumble upon...

Vogue Italia Archives
In early March, as the world began to adhere to new lockdown measures, Vogue Italia made the decision to grant full access to their archive for three months. Every issue backdated from 1964 to the present day is available in high-resolution colour.

You will have unlimited access until 13 June. Subscribe and use the code: VARCHIVE4YOU. Subscribe here.

Letterform Archives
Letterform offer access to a curated collection of over 50,000 items relating to lettering – from typography, calligraphy, graphic design and beyond. If you have a specific research idea in mind, or you’re simply just looking for inspiration – you’re likely to come across some fascinating and unexpected materials on Letterform. It’s a great resource that can help ignite a creative spark, and was built with graphic designers in mind.

Have a browse of their 1,500 highlights here.

Graphic Design Readings
Graphic Design Readings is an incredibly useful online resource that brings together essays, books and texts on graphic design theory, criticism and practice. Founded and curated by Jarrett Fuller, an esteemed writer, designer and lecturer.

If you’re looking to broaden your understanding of design, or need help writing on a niche subject – there are hundreds of texts for you to explore. The site also covers photography and architecture, and is updated regularly.

Have a browse here.

LIFE Photo Collection on Google Arts & Culture
Explore millions of photographs dating back centuries from the LIFE Photo Collection. Many of the images made available in the archive were never published, but are now brought to you by LIFE magazine and Google.

The photo collection has previously been named one of the biggest collections in the world by The Guardian. Travel through time and enjoy some of the best work created by iconic artists from the 1880s to the 20th century.

Have a browse here.

New Urgency Archives
From articles, PDFs, books, events and design names – New Urgency Archives has something for everyone. Spanning topics such as gaming, visual culture, feminism and the media – it brilliantly weaves together a curated archive of ideas around critical design and speculative futures.

Dig into the archives here.


The Publik Library, The Stacks
The Stacks is a digital archive created by The Publik Library. It hosts a number of recommendations by various creatives – from books, films, lectures, art and much more.

Designed and presented in an interesting format on Google Drive – the folk over at The Publik Library have provided an array of inspirational material to help creatives continue their learning.

Have a dig around here.

Written by Creative Lives in Progress
Mention Vogue Italia
Mention Google