Smith Journal
| Company type | Quarterly magazine |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Defunct | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Magazine covering history, photography, art, design, architecture, fashion, science, DIY projects, adventure, and literature |
| Owner | Frankie Press; later Morrison Media; then Nextmedia |
| Website | smithjournal |
Smith Journal was an Australian quarterly publication headquartered in Melbourne. Established in 2011, it discontinued its issues in December 2019. The magazine concentrated on subjects such as history, photography, art, and design, while also exploring architecture, fashion, science, DIY projects, adventure, and literature.
The name draws inspiration from traditional craftspeople—like wordsmiths and blacksmiths—mirroring the magazine’s grounded philosophy. Its audience comprised individuals interested in "authentic people engaging in authentic activities," including creators, innovators, and explorers.
Published by Frankie Press, the team behind the well-known Australian magazine frankie, Smith Journal carried a complementary yet distinct editorial vision.
History and profile
Conceived by Frankie Press editors-at-large Rick Bannister and Louise Bannister as a men’s title echoing frankie’s aesthetic, Smith Journal earned acclaim for its "curious spirit, intelligent writing, and captivating narratives." Though sharing familial ties with frankie, it maintained its own unique voice.
The magazine's initial design was crafted by frankie’s Creative Director Lara Burke with editorial contributions from Jo Walker and senior writer Benjamin Walker. Despite visual parallels to its sister publication, Smith Journal established an individual editorial and design identity.
Debuting in September 2011 during a downturn in men’s magazine sales—highlighted by significant circulation declines of titles like FHM and Zoo Weekly—the publication aimed at a specialized readership craving content not readily available online rather than competing for mass-market attention.
The premiere edition featured 20,000 copies spread over 140 pages printed on high-quality matte paper. Starting as a biannual release, strong audience approval prompted a shift to quarterly issues. Positioned as a handcrafted publication ideal for casual perusal or display, it distinguished itself through superior production values.
In February 2014, Morrison Media centralized its operations in Melbourne following the closure of its Queensland offices. Later that year, in November, Morrison Media was purchased by Pacific Star Network for .
Closure
September 2018 saw Morrison Media sold to Australian publisher Nextmedia from Pacific Star Network in a transaction that included both Smith Journal and its sister title frankie.
After continuing publication for an additional year post-acquisition, Smith Journal ceased operations. Editor Chris Harrigan remarked in 2019 that despite consistent readership figures, diminishing advertising income led to the closure—a reflection of wider industry difficulties.
Content
Smith Journal emerged as an alternative to mainstream "lad mags" such as FHM and Zoo Weekly, which dominated male-oriented publishing. Unlike general or niche men’s magazines like Men's Health, it catered to readers seeking more thoughtful and specialized material.
Founding editor Nadia Saccardo clarified that the magazine was not exclusively male-focused but prioritized "unexpected yet approachable storytelling" complemented by compelling photography and illustration. Editor Chris Harrigan described its purpose as introducing distinctive niche interests to audiences unfamiliar with them.
The publication featured a minimalist aesthetic characterized by generous white space and striking full-page imagery. Its opening segment, 'Smith Stuff', presented concise, engaging snippets of content. Each issue also included a detachable poster—for example, a 2018 lunar calendar or a twenty-sided icosahedron globe.
Covering a broad spectrum of themes, Smith Journal addressed topics ranging from aging rock musicians and photographic essays to primitive survival skills and international incidents of bee hive theft. Volume 25 showcased photographer Daniel George’s series on household item target practice, reevaluated 1980s hair metal culture, and featured an interview with former NASA scientist turned origami artist Robert Lang.
Previous editions included conversations with musician Henry Rollins and expert safe-cracker Jeff Sitar, historical explorations of Soviet rocket designer Galina Balashova, and reports on Brazil’s underground hot air balloon community.
Designer Christopher Roosen—a devoted reader owning all 33 issues—commended the magazine in 2019 for its substantial format, long-form journalism, and eclectic mix of stories about diverse individuals, locations, concepts, and time periods.
Readership
The audience of Smith Journal was largely male, with women comprising 30% of its readers in 2018. The publication primarily appealed to individuals aged between 25 and 44, who made up 58% of the demographic, while 70% held or were pursuing tertiary education. Former editor Nadia Saccardo characterized the readership as inquisitive and open to new ideas, attracting those who felt neglected by mainstream magazines. Editor-at-Large Rick Bannister highlighted that the readers were imaginative people passionate about reviving traditional skills such as brewing, woodworking, and bicycle restoration.
Beyond its quarterly printed editions, Smith Journal sustained an engaging digital platform at smithjournal.com.au, which featured selected articles from the print version alongside weekly blog entries covering a variety of subjects. In 2018, the website recorded an average monthly traffic of 19,900 unique visitors and exceeded 41,000 pageviews. Additionally, past issues and digital copies were accessible via Frankie Press’s online store.
By the time it ceased publication in December 2019, Smith Journal had achieved a print circulation of 32,000 copies, amassed 13,000 e-newsletter subscribers, maintained monthly online averages surpassing 30,000 pageviews and 15,000 unique users, and cultivated a social media audience numbering 66,800 followers.
Staff
- Editor Chris Harrigan (who took over from Nadia Saccardo)
- Assistant Editor Toby Fehily
- Designer Anjana Jain
- Writers Mel Campbell, Kane Daniel, Carl Dansk, Justin Heazlewood, Koren Helbig, Christopher Hollow, Bryce Howorth, Marina Kamenev, Leta Keens, Brodie Lancaster, Ben McLeay, Stephin Merritt, Andrew Mueller, Max Olijnyk, Kieran Pender, Patrick Pittman, Justin Quirk, Luke Ryan, James Shackell, Rory Taggart, Alex Warren
- Photographers Alice Aedy, Nicolas Blandin, Jeremy Bowtell, Jean-Marc Caimi, Carlos Chavarria, Chris Crerar, Elsie El-asmar, Daniel George, Mick Hutson, Charlie Kinross, Misha Petrov
- Illustrators Indigo O'Rourke, Timothy Rodgers, George Wylesol
- Prominent contributors: Dave Eggers, Elizabeth Gilbert, Tim Winton
Contributors
Among the distinguished contributors to Smith Journal was Pulitzer Prize-winning author and editor Dave Eggers, known for works such as A Hologram for the King and The Circle, who shared a personal story in the magazine’s second issue. Writer Elizabeth Gilbert, famed for Eat, Pray, Love, contributed an editorial on science and exploration. Australian novelist Tim Winton also penned an article entitled "10 Things I Believe."
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2011 establishments in Australia
- 2019 disestablishments in Australia
- Defunct magazines published in Australia
- Magazines established in 2011
- Magazines disestablished in 2019
- Magazines published in Melbourne
- Men's magazines published in Australia
- Quarterly magazines published in Australia
- Pacific Star Network
- Visual arts magazines