Design Issues

For Authors

Submit Manuscript

For Authors

Article Types

Design Issues accepts the following types of contributions:

  • Articles and Essays: Scholarly submissions that explore design in any historical, theoretical, or critical context. Maximum word count: 5,500 words (not including footnotes and image captions).
  • Visual Projects: Provocative, high-quality visual submissions of a theoretical or experimental nature.
  • Book Reviews: Commissioned by the Book Review Editor; interested reviewers should send a CV to the editors.
  • Responses from Readers: Letters (max. 1,500 words) responding to previously published content or design-related issues.

Submission Requirements

Submission Platform: Authors must submit their manuscripts via the Scholastica submission system at https://app.scholasticahq.com/.

Required Files:

  1. Manuscript File (Word only)
    • Max 5,500 words (excluding footnotes and captions)
    • Double-spaced, with images embedded in appropriate locations
    • Includes abstract (150–200 words) and up to 8 keywords
    • Pages numbered; Title page first; Abstract second
  2. One-paragraph explanation of how the submission fits the journal’s scope
  3. Cover Letter
    • For each author: name, affiliation, email, brief bio (50–100 words)
    • Disclose any use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools
  4. Caption Sheet
    • Numbered captions with titles/descriptions and rights-holder credit lines
  5. Image File
    • High-res images (350 dpi minimum), labeled to match captions
    • Acceptable formats: TIFF, JPEG, or EPS

AI Disclosure: Any use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) must be disclosed:

  • In the cover letter to the editors
  • In the manuscript (e.g., Introduction or Methods)

Manuscript Format

  • Style: Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition
  • Footnotes: Use superscripts; follow CMoS format
  • Foreign Languages: Translate non-English quotes in brackets; translate titles in footnotes
  • Internet Sources: Cite with URL and access date (e.g., “www.direct.mit.edu/journals" [accessed January 24, 2023])
  • Visual Standards:
    • Line art: 1200 dpi bitmap (EPS)
    • Grayscale images: 350 dpi (TIFF)
    • Color: 350 dpi CMYK (TIFF); will be converted to grayscale
    • No images from websites, whiteboards, or poor-quality screen captures
    • Label figures with corresponding numbers and credit/source info

Editorial and Peer Review Process

  • Double-anonymized peer review
  • All manuscripts are reviewed by the Editorial Board (no desk rejections)
  • Three Stages:
    • Stage 1: Editorial Board decides to reject, request revision, send for review, or accept
    • Stage 2: Reviewers assess against originality, rigor, clarity, and significance
    • Stage 3: Revised manuscripts receive final decision (publish or decline)
  • Decisions include:
    • Accept as-is
    • Conditional Accept (minor revisions)
    • Revise and Resubmit
    • Major Revision
    • Decline

After Acceptance

  • No publication fees or APCs
  • Copyediting handled by MIT Press
  • Authors review proofs and finalize materials
  • Authors must provide image permissions

Accepted manuscripts are published under copyright with MIT Press. Authors sign a publication agreement and retain limited rights to share preprints and self-archive content according to MIT’s policies.

Open Access

One article per issue is selected as free-to-access. Authors may also request paid Open Access through MIT Press. Details available on request.