What is Signal?

It’s a new print magazine created by Microsoft to cut through the digital noise and give a clear-eyed take on how technology is changing our world. Written, edited and designed by a transatlantic band of in-house journalists and independent magazine publishers, Signal is filled with in-depth reporting, insightful infographics, executive interviews and recommendations for time-poor executives.

Who reads Signal?

Senior business leaders at some of the world’s biggest companies who want to hear directly from Microsoft and each other about the most interesting work being done in the tech industry, the opportunities of AI and what the future may hold.

What sort of stories make it onto Signal’s pages?

Signal is not about breaking news, as it would be out of date by the time it’s printed. It’s packed with stories about the impact of technology that we think are worthy of our audience’s time and shared learnings that they can apply to their business.

Why is it print not digital?

We love digital, but print has some advantages. Paper doesn’t need power and it’s very versatile in terms of what you can deliver on the page and where it can be consumed. More broadly though, without the ubiquity and limitless space of digital content, it nudges both writers and readers to be more thoughtful and considered. We want to provide people with something they can pick up and indulge in – whether for a few minutes reading short pieces or for longer with in depth feature stories. Signal is an antidote to the ephemeral nature of digital. And print smells good, too – which nobody ever said about their phone or computer. It’s a visceral medium.

What inspired the design?

Signal’s art director has woven together a mix of styles including the iconography of Factory Records and      old school cut and paste (Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V), with collage-style headlines taped into place and Microsoft typography and brand colours. We think it works. Oh and our playlist is over here.

Do you accept external contributions to Signal?

We are not accepting unsolicited contributions at this stage but are always open to ideas, so feel free to email us at [email protected]

Can I get a copy?

Circulation of Signal is limited, but if you’d like to get hold of a copy, contact us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best.