In my capacity as a Design Fellow at Hillsdale College, I undertook the design of the cover for Imprimis: A 50th Anniversary Collection, a commemorative book marking the 50-year history of Hillsdale College’s national speech digest, Imprimis. The publication has a circulation of over six million and serves as a platform for discourse on fundamental principles such as individual rights, limited government, and free-market economics, alongside topics of national defense. The cover needed to visually convey the weight and significance of the publication’s mission and celebrate its legacy of promoting these foundational principles.

Design Challenge: The challenge was to create a book cover that reflects both the rich history of Imprimis and its ongoing relevance in today’s political and cultural landscape. Given the publication’s deep connection to foundational principles and its long-standing influence, the design had to embody a sense of authority and tradition. At the same time, it needed to convey a modern relevance to appeal to a wide, diverse readership.

Impact: The final cover design for Imprimis: A 50th Anniversary Collection is a bold and striking representation of the publication’s enduring legacy. It resonates with long-time readers who value the publication’s principles and draws in new readers by projecting a sense of authority, purpose, and historical significance. The design effectively communicates the importance of Imprimis as an influential voice in promoting foundational principles over the past five decades.