Kolob Canyon Review Happy to be Judged by its Cover

Published: February 28, 2013 | Read Time: 2 minutes

The Kolob Canyon Review has been known at Southern Utah University as an outlet for creative writers on campus for 20 years. But as time has passed, its prestige beyond SUU’s campus has grown. The publication’s most recent merits take a slight departure from the old adage and this year, at least, you can and most definitely should judge this book by its cover.

The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), the industry’s leading graphic design organization, recognized the 2012 Kolob Canyon Review (KCR) as a “Featured Project” in its online gallery for its excellence in design.

In reference to the Review’s design, the AIGA editorial team said, “We only feature a small number of projects and with thousands of options, we only pick a few that promote new thinking. This was one."

Mitchell Grimshaw, a senior graphic design major from Enoch, Utah, led a student design crew in efforts to revamp the 2012 edition of the annual journal. Mitchell worked alongside 2012 alumna Tori Leavitt and seniors Spencer Hill and Sydney Gordon, all graphic design majors, to create the layout and the interior design.

“When I found out that our design was chosen, I was absolutely thrilled,” revealed Mitchell. “Having our work appreciated and recognized by the most prominent graphic design organization in the country speaks volumes of all that we have learned and the amazing professors we have here at SUU.”

The journal, which started as a project for English classes at SUU, has since combined forces with graphic design students and Paragon Press to increase the quality of the publication and now features the creative works of students, faculty, staff and alumni through short stories, poetry, painting and photography.

Commenting on the markedly improved quality of the design, KCR advisor Wynne Summers said, “When we have our graphic design students create a beautiful masterpiece such as this, it gives the rest of us more incentive to ensure our work is of the same caliber.”

KCR gives undergraduate students the opportunity to edit, design and distribute a peer-reviewed literary journal in collaboration with other students and faculty—an opportunity that is hard to come by in these respective fields.

Since its first printing, the number and quality of submissions have significantly increased. Last year, the journal saw more than 200 submissions of art and literature, only accepting 100. The 2013 KCR, which will be sold on campus this April, tops that with 260 submissions.

The 2013 edition of the Kolob Canyon Review will be available for $12 per copy at the English Department offices in the Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center and at Braun Books on Main Street in Cedar City. The 2013 KCR team will host a public reading and showcase of its latest publication on April 18, location and time to be announced.

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