The Walker began publication of Everyday Art Quarterly in 1946, the first design journal issued by a museum. Through the Quarterly, audiences were introduced to the work of now-legendary designers. In 1954, the publication was renamed Design Quarterly, focusing on in-depth explorations of singular topics - an editorial practice that would continue until the 1990s. During the 1960s and 1970s, under the direction of Peter Seitz and later Mildred Friedman, the journal increasingly embraced topics that examined design's impact on society. A range of subjects were explored that reflected the changing currents of design thinking: the visionary architecture of Archigram and Superstudio; issues of ecology and product obsolescence; the development of mass transit and urban renewal strategies; the ergonomics of everyday objects; and the impact of technology on design. The list of writers and contributors from this period reads as a who's who of contemporary design.

The Walker Art Center, a catalyst for the creative expression of artists and the active engagement of audiences, examines the questions that shape and inspire us as individuals, cultures, and communities.