Before anything, appreciations are in order. I couldn't have accomplished the task without the wonderfully helpful editorial team of my associate editors, T.J. Thomson at Queensland University of Technology and Professor Nicole Dahmen at the University of Oregon. I value both of them more than they know and look forward to working with them during the next few years. Then there's the production staff at Taylor & Francis Group, especially Joanne Reider-Evans and Katharine “Katie” Ormsby. My sincere thanks to these two women and the communication we've had over the past month or so. My thanks also to the VCQ Editorial Board and others who have been so gracious with their time and willingness to review manuscripts. The expertise of the journal's editorial board has made the research and creative works we publish the highest in quality. My gratitude also extends to the former editors of this journal, who laid the groundwork for me to continue to build upon. Their care and love for visual communication is evident in every issue. I also extend thanks to my home university, UNLV, for its support of this endeavor. I haven't had a graduate assistant in over 10 years! Thanks Chris and Jayce! I need to thank my wife Barbara because, well, she's my wife … and her wisdom about “keeping it professional” is in my ear always. She has always been the calm that keeps me from total chaos. Of course, without the authors, researchers, artists, creators, thinkers, critics, and beet-eating mad hatters, we wouldn't have the marvelous work that forms and shapes this field. Yes, xtine was right; I'm lucky to have such gifted collaborators.
This, the first issue of my editor-in-chief duties, was a learning experience. Discovering the ins and outs of the journal editing and production process has been enigmatic at times. In other words, I haven't totally figured it out yet. I'll leave out the details, but yes, I made a few rookie mistakes. I'll probably make some more along the way as my education as journal editor continues. But I'll do my best to put together the finest in research and creative work for VCQ.
In this issue there are three research articles, a Portfolio of images, an InSight article, a book review, and VizBib. In one way or another, all of them carry over from xtine's editorship. The research is represented by an eclectic group of articles for which a common theme would be a stretch at best. So I let them stand on their own as research reflective in one way, prescient in another, and defining in yet another way. The methods range from quantitative to qualitative. One is about the appeal of bad design. Another is about visual memories of wartime femininity. And one is about the ways in which unabashed propaganda masquerade as news. The Portfolio contains images from a larger interactive project that you really should take a look at to experience the movement, color, and time of this project: https://proudandtorn.org/. Finally, VizBib is dedicated to Bauhaus' 100th anniversary.
I like pushing boundaries, doing things outside of boxes, breaking norms, and going out on a limb. I like exploring, experimenting, taking the road less traveled, and discovering new things. I also like tradition; great writing; a well-thought-out argument; and clear, transparent research. As editor, I look forward to the stimulating words and pictures that get sent VCQ's way. I hope I am a good steward of this wonderful journal. Happy reading and looking to our readers! By the way, I hate beets.