Washington, D.C.--Darhil Crooks has been named creative director of The Atlantic, Editor in Chief James Bennet announced today. In this role, Crooks will oversee art direction of The Atlantic across its platforms: in print, online, and on mobile and tablet devices. He will also oversee the look of The Atlantic's sister brands, The Atlantic Wire and Atlantic Cities.
"Darhil's imagination and passion for ideas-driven work make him the perfect creative force for The Atlantic," Bennet said. "It's asking a lot to hope for vision, exacting standards, a delight in taking risks, and a collaborative spirit all in one person, and we feel very lucky to have found that."
Crooks joins The Atlantic from Ebony magazine, where, as creative director since January 2011, he oversaw the first cover-to-cover redesign in the title's then 66-year history. Working closely with editors, photographers, and illustrators, he helped redefine the magazine's visual identity.
Before joining Ebony, Crooks served as the art director of Esquire magazine from 2005 to 2010. In that role, he developed design concepts and layouts; conceptualized, commissioned, and directed photo shoots; and edited photography. He also helped develop and design Esquire's iPad app, named a finalist for best mobile edition by the American Society of Magazine Editors in 2011. In addition to consecutive ASME nominations for design in 2010 and 2011, Esquire received a nomination from the Society of Publication Designers for 2007 Magazine of the Year.