First On FBNY: <i>I.D.</i> Magazine Editors Start New Company

We noticed something interesting yesterday on themediaisdying's Twitter feed about New York-based design title I.D. magazine, and it got us digging. The Twitter news was that managing editor Jill Singer and senior editor Monica Khemsurov had departed. A check of Singer's LinkedIn profile seemed to confirm that she had left the magazine, published by F+W Media, last month and was currently working as a freelance design writer. Further digging led us to her Twitter feed, where we learned that she had founded a design consulting company with Khemsurov called Sight Unseen When reached for comment, Singer confirmed that she and Khemsurov had left I.D. in mid-April. We also learned that editor-in-chief Julie Lasky had left in February to join design Web site Design Observer. The three made up the entire editorial staff of the magazine. "The magazine has weathered several changes over the last six months, and we understand its owners (F+W Media) intend to change the direction of the magazine," Singer told FBNY exclusively. "I.D. was our passion for three and a half years, but this change has allowed us to do something we have been wanting to do for a while, which is to found our own company, Sight Unseen." Singer explained that through Sight Unseen she and Khemsurov will be "writing, curating, consulting, scouting trends and emerging designers, doing design-related events and creating our own design and culture publication, both on the web and (hopefully) in print." Update: I.D. publisher Gary Lynch announced today that Jesse Ashlock will be joining the magazine on May 26 as editor-in-chief. Ashlock will be hiring to replace the departed editors and Lynch said he hopes that staff will be in place by mid-June. After Lasky, Singer and Khemsurov departed earlier this year, "we had to move quickly to replace them," Lynch said. "But we see it as an opportunity to bring on some fresh blood and a new way to look at the business." Lynch also told FBNY that he hopes Ashlock will work on expanding I.D.'s online presence. The full release about Ashlock's move after the jump. F+W Media Announces Appointment of I.D. Magazine Editor-in-Chief NEW YORK -- May 14, 2009 -- Gary Lynch, Publisher and Editorial Director of the Design Group for F+W Media, announced today that Jesse Ashlock has been named Editor-in-Chief, I.D. Magazine, and will begin work on May 26, based in the company's New York office. Ashlock is a rising media star who has built close relationships within the design community. He has long been a contributing editor to I.D., moderating the interactive category for I.D.'s Annual Design Review the last three years, and is a regular contributor to Print Magazine. "One of our objectives is to build the I.D. brand into a multi-platform business," said Gary Lynch. "Jesse's varied background in print, digital and event planning is ideally suited to the task and will help usher the I.D. brand into the next phase of its long and honored publishing tradition." Prior to joining F+W, Ashlock served as Editor at the pioneering RES magazine, which explored the convergence of film, design and emerging technology through its print publication and traveling festival RESFEST. Ashlock has also served as Editorial Director for the Tribeca Film Festival and Editor of the Webby Award-winning music website Epitonic.com. Most recently, he was Editor of the men's fashion and culture glossy V Man magazine, overseeing the title's transition from biannual to quarterly and relaunching its website. "It's a tremendous privilege to be chosen to guide a brand as storied, influential and respected as I.D.," said Jesse Ashlock. "I hope to be able to honor the tradition of my editorial predecessors while moving the business forward into digital media and events." I.D. Magazine is part of the F+W Media Design Group, which also includes Print Magazine and HOW Magazine as well as the How Design Conference, books, competitions, webcasts and online services.

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First On FBNY: I.D. Magazine Editors Start New Company

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