Magazine opportunity: Maize

Davide Mottes is an author at Maize

DS: Congratulations on your D&DA award nomination! What do you think made Maize stand out from the competition?

DM: It was a surprise for us too! We believe that what people appreciate about MAIZE magazine is its depth. Both in terms of content and design, we aim to offer carefully curated choices, seeking topics and aesthetic styles that encourage asking questions and reflecting, rather than providing concrete answers.

What is the magazine about?

It explores contemporary themes across multiple domains, from technology to the humanities, in search of cues for possible futures. We like to refer to this intricate, varicolored scenery as the manyworld. Each issue of MAIZE is an aesthetic monograph that examines a central topic through compelling interviews, reports, short stories, personal essays, visuals, and more.

What makes Maize unique?

This magazine is for those who love open discussions, philosophical ideas, and unconventional thoughts; but also for those eager to discover new ways to develop foresight, be inspired, make informed decisions, and participate in the innovation process — all while staying human.

This magazine is certainly unique among corporate magazines because it’s created by a team focused on strategic design, yet it also covers topics that are far removed from our professional context. We believe that this openness to other subjects greatly enriches both us and our clients, who are among the magazine’s first readers.

Can you tell me a little about your next issue?

The new issue is about to arrive and it’s dedicated to Interfaces—organs of mediation, zones of transition, tools that enable contact. All communication is an interface; connection only happens if there’s a space where exchange can occur. With this issue, we want to explore the devices that make relationships and knowledge possible—the fluid ones like language, the ones drawn on maps by geographers, or those designed by creatives to help us interact with the world and technology. It’s on the boundary between spaces, in the middle ground between people, in the gaps within systems where the most interesting things happen.

What is a past feature in Maize which you are really proud of?

The issue dedicated to Desire was certainly significant because it marked a new beginning that we had reflected on for a long time.

How important are independent magazine stockists to the success of your title?

Independent magazine retailers are certainly an important channel. At MAIZE, we collaborate with Frab’s, a store both online and physical in Milan. MAIZE is quite unique because it’s a company magazine with an independent soul, making retailers one of our two main distribution channels, alongside extensive distribution to our clients. In fact, MAIZE represents two things: a strategic design company that explores cultures and technologies to generate sustainable growth, and a magazine that engages in discussions and observations on contemporary society to envision the future.

What can retailers stocking Maize do to promote it more, and what is Maize doing to support those retailers?

First of all, it’s important for retailers to understand the complexity that distinguishes MAIZE, as it is far from a simple product. By fully grasping its depth and unique qualities, they will be better equipped to communicate and promote the magazine effectively. As for what MAIZE is doing to support retailers, we provide materials and guidance to help them convey our magazine’s value, ensuring they have the tools needed to present it in a way that resonates with their customers.

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