 THE BLACK COLLEGIAN
Magazine was first published in December of 1970. By his own admission, founder
Preston J. Edwards had more ambition than practical publishing
experience when an all-volunteer crew compiled Volume 1, Number 1. What was waiting inside the covers was fresh, passionate,
even revolutionary. It would be some time, however, before the total package -- inside
and out -- caught up with young company's vision."We didn't know what
we were doing," Edwards says plainly.
As a result the first edition was a simple affair. Plain block
lettering sat atop a fuzzy, live-action photo of singer Isaac Hayes. The
magazine had no logo art, and the production values left much to be
desired. The fledgling publishers did not know, for example, that
designers avoid placing light yellow lettering on a white background.
Benjamin M. Priestley, a co-founder and original contributing editor,
fondly recalls seeing it in print. "It was December - January, and
its cover highlighted Isaac Hayes at the New Orleans Soul Bowl ‘70. The
cost was a whopping 25 cents. The publication came together as a result
of hard work, and dedication of people that I have known for many years.
My participation was a valuable experience where I learned a lot from
the other contributors."
[The Design History of TBC
- Continued
>>] |
