kägimedia was born

Kagi Media started as Swiss Folklore. The media landscape in the 1800s saw significant growth and transformation, particularly in newspapers and magazines.

The early 19th century witnessed a boom in newspaper publishing in the United States. Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World, William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal or E.W. Scripps’ St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

These urban tabloids pioneered a new style of journalism, featuring banner headlines, photographs, cartoons, and an emphasis on local news, crime and sports.

The magazine industry also experienced significant growth and changes during the 1800s. Early influential British magazines included Daniel Defoe’s Review & Sir Richard Steele’s Tatler.

But it was in Kaegiswil Switzerland that our story began. In the 19th century, Jonathan Kägi, a native of Kaegiswil, Switzerland, was said to have launched a small but pivotal publishing house dedicated to preserving the rich oral traditions of the region. Nestled in the heart of the majestic Swiss Alps, Kaegiswil had a wealth of folklore that was deeply intertwined with the natural landscape. Kägi, understanding the importance of these stories in defining local identity, took it upon himself to document and publish these tales, ensuring that they were not lost to time.

One of the most famous works published by Kägi’s press was Tales of the Alpine Spirits. This anthology compiled various legends from the surrounding villages, many of which dealt with supernatural forces believed to inhabit the mountains. One standout tale from this collection was “The Wandering Ghost of Mount Pilatus.” This ghost story, centered on a villager who had betrayed his community and was condemned to roam the alpine peaks, became a local classic. The figure of the ghost was believed to foreshadow calamities, making the story particularly compelling to the superstitious minds of the time. Kägi’s publication preserved this story in print, cementing it as a cornerstone of Swiss folklore.

Another significant publication was Legends of Lake Lucerne, a collection that gathered myths and stories from the communities around the lake. One of the most enduring stories from this collection was the legend of the “Water Witch of Lake Lucerne.” This witch, a malevolent spirit thought to reside in the lake’s depths, was feared for her ability to curse fishermen who ventured too close to her waters. The tale spoke to the locals’ respect for and fear of the natural forces around them. Kagi’s collection of such stories ensured that these oral traditions were passed down to future generations, preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

Kagi’s approach to publishing was not limited to simply printing these stories. He was an active folklorist, traveling to nearby villages and speaking directly with elders and storytellers to record these tales in their most authentic form. His commitment to maintaining the original dialects and cultural nuances of each story made his work stand out. Kägi’s careful attention to the way these stories were told helped capture the true essence of the region’s folklore. 

The timing of Kägi’s work was also significant. Literacy rates in Switzerland were increasing due to widespread educational reforms, and the demand for printed materials was growing, even in rural areas. Kagi’s books were sold at local fairs and markets, providing affordable access to the stories that villagers had heard for generations. His publications allowed readers to reconnect with their cultural roots and provided a tangible link to the traditions of their ancestors.

Though Jonathan Kägi’s publishing house eventually closed in the early 20th century, his influence lived on. Many of the stories he published have since been reprinted in modern collections of Swiss folklore, ensuring that the rich traditions of the Swiss Alps continue to be shared. Kägi’s dedication to preserving these tales has left an enduring legacy, ensuring that the unique folklore of the Kaegiswil region remains an important part of Swiss cultural history. His work not only saved these stories from being forgotten but also helped to strengthen the sense of identity within the local community.

kägimedia.com was born

And so it was that I, Jonathan Kägi of modern folklore, asked had my father to hold up our coveted Antique Family Crest to the sunlight on one fine autumn day. As he positioned the crest just right that the sunshine illuminated the stained & storied glass, I snapped a photograph, marking a transition into the digital world and proclaiming the newly minted image of the crest to be the very first logo for my new company – kagimedia.com

By using our very own Family Crest, that has been passed down through the generations, I felt a connection to the past and a duty to steward the embodiment of the Kägi’s industrious history into my developing plans and designs. The digital image of the crest was printed on kagimedia.com’s first business cards, printed on t-shirts, used in ads and become our official branding. The image served us well appearing on banners, marketing materials at trade shows and the signage window of our first Chelsea, London warehouse space. Below is an image of the signage from our legacy warehouse space where I had also created a custom font design for the words kagimedia.com

Over time I decided to do a brand refresh and we retired the well-used image of the Kägi Family Crest. When I designed the modern vector kagimedia.com logo I used and modifed the custom font from the original. And even as Kagi Media started amid Swiss Folklore in the 1800’s – once again – kägimedia.com was re-born – Serving us well – into the present day.

— Jonathan Kägi

Read More: https://jonathan.kagimedia.com/muse