Chris Panicker discusses his experimental editorial-design practice across Pitchfork and GQ, where he balances the tightly managed GQ system with greater room for motion and visual experimentation at Pitchfork. He details his work on cover-story zines, weekly Selects playlist art and Pitchfork's Best of the Year packages, including a workflow that combines Cavalry compositions with InDesign and Photoshop scripting to generate hundreds of artist assets.
The article profiles Miami-born, New York-based illustrator Derek Abella, whose career took off after being laid off on Valentine's Day 2020. It explores how his Art Deco-inspired, emotionally resonant illustrations gained traction during the pandemic, leading to collaborations with major media outlets and brands. Abella reflects on resilience, creative growth, and his evolving artistic direction as he approaches a new decade in his career.
