Readable, Serious, Traditional: Investigating Scholarly Perceptions of the Visual Design and Reading Experiences of Academic Journals

Academic journals are not known for the quality of their visual designs or the reading experiences they provide, despite being fundamental to the dissemination of research and knowledge in most disciplines. Journals are produced by and for scholars and are considered currency within academic culture; however, little is known about how visual design affects a journal’s perceived prestige or reading experience. This paper discusses a survey conducted to investigate reader perceptions of academic journals across disciplines. We used quantitative and qualitative responses to understand reader practices and preferences as they pertain to format and visual design. Across disciplines, issues related to access, prestige, readability, and academic culture were said to influence reading experience. Survey respondents indicated a desire for improved reading experiences, especially on digital platforms. The article concludes with a discussion about how publishers and editors may confront these issues and consider the diverse needs of their readers.