Submission Guidelines and Process

The editorial team of platform pudding is dedicated to fostering a lively, generous atmosphere for design criticism. We actively seek collaborators, writers, and critics who wish to publish their work and contribute to an evolving conversation – particularly written reflections that invite dialogue, spark sharp thinking, and share curiosity about the role of design and material objects in our everyday environments. While our printed issues revolve around a central theme – for which we are open to suggestions – we warmly welcome proposals for articles beyond it and remain open to diverse contributions for online publication throughout the year. We welcome the submission of previously published articles, provided that the author holds the necessary copyright and has secured all required permissions for republication.

Format: Submit written work as a Word document (.doc or .docx). Visual essays should be submitted as a PDF file.

Length: Written submissions may range between 100 and 2,000 words. We welcome both short and long pieces, and everything in between.

Bio: Include a short author bio (maximum 50 words) at the top of the document. This may include your education, professional background, interests, or specialisations.

Images: We encourage authors to include images that complement their text. Each image should have a minimum width of 1200 pixels and must be rights-free or used with permission from the creator. The responsibility for sourcing and verifying image rights lies entirely with the author. Please ensure compliance with copyright laws, as Platform Pudding cannot take responsibility for copyright infringements.

References to images: Include a list of figures with image details below the main text. Image references should follow the Chicago Manual of Style. Examples can be found at the end of this document. If you are unfamiliar with this referencing style, please feel free to contact us, we are happy to assist.

Language: Contributions may be written in either Dutch or English. After the second round of editing, Platform Pudding will translate each piece into the other language, as we are a bilingual platform. Due to limited financial resources, translations are assisted by AI tools. The final translated version will always be carefully reviewed by an editor and sent to the author for approval.

Spelling: Use British spelling.

Inclusive Language: Authors are expected to use inclusive language that is free from bias, stereotypes, or discriminatory assumptions.

Additional Notes

1.) It is essential that both authors and editors respect the agreed-upon deadlines to ensure a smooth and enjoyable editorial process.
2.) Please note that participation in the editorial process does not guarantee publication. In rare cases where the editors decide not to proceed with publication after editing, a written explanation will be provided outlining the reasoning behind the decision with care and transparency.
3.) Platform Pudding will translate each piece into the other language. Because of limited financial resources, translations are supported by AI tools. Each translated version is carefully reviewed by an editor and sent to the author for final approval.

References & Bibliography

All referencing should follow the Chicago Manual of Style. For guidance, please consult the Citation Quick Guide.

1. Artwork viewed in person (e.g., in a museum or gallery)
Format (notes and bibliography style):
Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date of creation. Medium. Name of Institution, Location.

Example:
van Gogh, Vincent. Starry Night. 1889. Oil on canvas. Museum of Modern Art, New York.

2. Artwork or image viewed online
Format:
Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date of creation. Medium, if known. Name of Website, URL. (accessed Month Day, Year).

Example:
Hokusai, Katsushika. The Great Wave off Kanagawa. ca. 1831. Color woodblock print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45434 (accessed October 5, 2025).

3. Image reproduced in a book or journal
Format:
Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Artwork. Date of creation. In Title of Book, by Author’s First and Last Name, page number. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.

Example:
Hopper, Edward. Nighthawks. 1942. In Modern American Art, by Sarah Whitman, 112. Boston: Beacon Press, 2018.

4. Image created by the author (your own photo or artwork)
You generally don’t need a formal citation — just include a note such as:
Image by the author, 2025.

Process and Timeline

Submission and Confirmation After submitting a piece, the author will receive a confirmation of receipt within five days.
Week 1–2: Review of Submissions Once the Open Call has closed, the Platform Pudding team will review all submissions. Within two weeks, contributors will be notified whether their work has been accepted.
Week 3–4: First Editorial Round Accepted contributors begin their collaboration with an editor. This first round focuses on the structure, intention, framing, and use of sources. After receiving editorial feedback, authors have two weeks to revise and submit a new version of their piece.
Week 5: Second Editorial Round The second round focuses on language and rhythm, refining tone, clarity, and flow. Authors have one week to deliver the final version of their text.
Week 6: Final Editing by the Editors Editors take one additional week to make final adjustments and prepare the piece for publication. Only in special cases will editors contact the author again for clarification or to discuss any questions that arise during this stage.
Week 8: Proof Print and Final Check Two weeks after the author has submitted the second version, a proof print will be shared for a final check of spelling, credits, citations, and the translated version. (Please note that feedback on graphic design will not be considered.) Authors have three days to respond, after which the issue will be sent to the printer.


For further inquiries please get in contact with write[at]platformpudding.nl