This is all about LIFE.
Life magazine, a trailblazing publication that spanned from 1883 to 2000, left an indelible mark on the world of journalism. Transforming from a general-interest magazine into the first all-photographic American news magazine in 1936 under Henry Luce’s stewardship, Life became a cultural touchstone. Life’s pages were graced with iconic photographs, capturing pivotal moments in history and human experience. From wartime images to the Civil Rights Movement, Life’s visual storytelling defined an era.
Life appealed to the general public, including men and women of different age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, and geographic locations across the United States. Its compelling visual storytelling and diverse content catered to a broad spectrum of interests and tastes.
LIFE TIMELINE
The First issue of Life
Life was founded on January 4, 1883, in New York City. It’s founded as a general-interest and light entertainment magazine, featuring illustrations, jokes, and social commentary.
The cover of the first issue of Life as a weekly magazine, November 23, 1936.
Time Inc. founder Henry Luce buys Life magazine solely for its title and drastically redesigns the publication. Life becomes the first all-photographic American news magazine, setting a new standard in photojournalism.
Life magazine reaches the peak of its popularity, with a circulation of over 13.5 million copies per week. It becomes one of the most widely read publications in the United States.
Life’s online presence began in the 1990s as part of the Pathfinder.com network. The standalone Life.com site was launched on March 31, 2009, and closed on January 30, 2012.
Beginning in October 2004, Life was revived for a second time. It resumed weekly publication as a free supplement to U.S. newspapers, competing for the first time with the two industry heavyweights, Parade and USA Weekend.
1883
1918
1936
1945
1950s-1960s
1978
1990s
2000
2004
Present
About a year after this March 10, 2006, issue featuring bread and desserts, it was shut down.
Charles Dana Gibson becomes the editor and owner of Life magazine after the death of John Ames Mitchell.
Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic photograph of a nurse in a sailor’s arms, taken on V-J Day in Times Square, is published in Life magazine.
Beginning with an October 1978 issue, Life was published as a monthly, with a new, modified logo. Life continued for the next 22 years as a moderately successful general-interest, news features magazine.
Cover of the September 13, 1948, issue featuring Josip Broz Tito
George Story happened to die of heart failure on April 4, 2000. The last issue of Life was titled “A Life Ends”, featuring his story and how it had intertwined with the magazine over the years.
Life is currently owned by Dotdash Meredith, which owns most former Time Inc. and Meredith Corporation assets.
OUR NEW LOGO
Our new logo is closely related to the three keywords of empathy, inclusiveness and immersive. These three keywords are also the basic positioning of our rebranding. At the same time, three key phrases were developed based on these three keywords. They are Resonate with other people’s stories; Embrace different vision; Inspire people interaction. These three key phrases surround our new brandmark from beginning to end. I also hope that the new LIFE can be reflected through the new brandmark.
The logo was designed by combining the initial letter L of LIFE and the concept of a camera shutter. The expression is to allow people to look at the world through the lens and empathize with the world.
Logo Variations