»We are designers, we talk structures and processes«. That’s how Gema Navarro and Santos Henarejos introduce one of their magazines: »The Eight« is published twice a year. In print and online it invites eight photographers per edition to present their works on 20 pages. »The Eight« transcends the boundary between a photo-book and the image. The designers want texts and pictures on an equal footing and side by side. Thanks to the colour codes, which have been developed especially for the magazine, Navarro and Henarejos can do without page numbers.

Eroticism is in our heads, erotic complications are fantasies in print that stimulate all the senses. Is non-visual erotic material an inspiration? Mike Koedinger’s question put to the circle of makers of erotic magazines results in some surprising answers: Frank Rocholl prefers closeness to over-intellectualised text, prefers interviews with people that »get up closer«. Exciting is also working with things that are not visible, that mainly take place in the head.

The name Harri Peccinotti is synonymous with sensuality and eroticism, just think of the Pirelli Calender, the Rolling Stone of the 1950s, the British edition of Vanity Fair or Nova magazine. Peccinotti's imagery has made him one of the giants of 20th century art and fashion photography on which he has been a significant influence. The designer actually began his career in a rather unphotographic environment: making cover designs for a jazz label, advertising, graphics and typography.