AKT is an independent magazine about Belgian culture.
Though the magazine is a periodical, it aspires to be timeless. Each volume captures the people, design and essence of 21st century Belgium through stories that are worthy of continued and repeated reflection. Photography guides readers into the world of AKT. The minimal style draws focus to the depths of materiality and dimensions of colour. It asks readers to pause longer and look closer. Each frame is studied and deliberate – captured, it seems, with the patience of a painter who works slowly on his masterpiece for months.
Combining photography, with words and graphic design, AKT reaches an authentic and ‘site-specific’ aesthetic that draws off the flat, rolling landscape and northern European climate of Belgium itself. It is an aesthetic that is hedonistic and atmospheric in its ability to reach all of the senses and transport the reader.
AKT stands for “A kind tribute”, which expresses the approach of the founders. Belgian natives Jessy Van Durme and Piet-Albert Goethals founded the magazine in 2019 on their attuned sensibilities of curiosity, appreciation, and enlightenment.
About the founders
Jessy is a graphic designer, working across art direction and branding, formerly trained as an interior architect. Piet is a photographer, who focuses on architecture, interiors and designers. AKT enabled them to combine their creative knowledge, skills and international network together, for the first time, with complete freedom.
For Jessy and Piet the print magazine format expresses the craftsmanship of traditional editorial. It combines intuitive decision-making and meaningful communication. In a volatile, digital world, it offers honesty, permanence and tactility. The very presence of a magazine carves a conscious, physical space for reading and contemplation.
Though, while AKT is an object of beauty designed to be treasured, it is just as much an evolving project of ideas and thinking. Each volume is responsive to today. It speaks of our fears and challenges, our priorities, and our aspirations.
It is a capsule of time that once closed, sits patiently, waiting for us to look back.
In 2022 Jessy and Piet translated their vision into a physical space, L’ Officine. A contemporary getaway in the Belgian countryside.
Work with us
If our vision, aesthetic and approach appeals to you, we would love to work with you. We offer an in-house creative service that includes brand and design consulting, interior design, photography, copywriting, and graphic design from brand identities to publication layouts.
We bring the same care and commitment to client projects that we bring to AKT magazine. Using empathy as a key tool, we listen and learn, collaborate and refine, until we reach a creative solution that reflects authenticity, beauty and tactility – in digital and print.
Our holistic approach, which can be tailored to suit your requirements, has proven global appeal. We have worked with clients internationally across industries such as design, publishing, gastronomy and fashion. Wherever you are located, and whatever your industry, for us, it’s an honour to step into your world.
Interested? Contact us at info@aktmagazine.com to find out more.