Connecting Communities: Curatorial Approaches in Collaborative Publication Design

Abstract

Traditional editorial design frameworks often reinforce dominant narratives, limiting alternative perspectives and reducing cultural plurality. Standardised systems prioritise singular viewpoints, while overly flexible approaches risk losing coherence. This article examines how a co-design curatorial publishing model can support multivocality in editorial design. The study focuses on Threaded Magazine and its two-decade evolution in fostering practitioner-led inclusivity as the place of inquiry. It investigates how curatorial frameworks can maintain both visual coherence and diverse representation, addressing the challenges of balancing structure and inclusivity. As part of a doctoral qualification, this article documents the first year of a PhD practice-oriented 2 design research project, outlining its development through a key review and approval stage. The study employs two methodological frameworks: close reading, a literary analysis method used in the confirmation of candidature, and creative production, which integrates visualisation and prototyping in the thesis construction phase. The findings contribute to discussions on inclusive editorial design by reconsidering curatorial practice beyond traditional publishing models. Additionally, the study examines how a Māori and non-Māori collaborative framework informs bicultural partnerships in publication design, offering insights into relational and culturally responsive editorial strategies.