Communicator

Communicator is the authoritative journal for UK technical communicators. It is home to high quality, objective, and peer-reviewed features - current, relevant, and in-depth. Below you can buy online versions of the journal. Print versions are available here.

Communicator is published quarterly, and offers:

After the Spring 2021 issue, this site will no longer be updated. If you'd like to continue reading Communicator, please subscribe to one of the following:

$6.60 every 3 Months

Subscribe to Communicator. You will receive a PDF of each issue as it is published. If a supplement accompanies the issue, that will be provided as part of the subscription price.

First three months £4, then every three months £4. Prices also available in EUR and USD.

  • Spring 2021 - published 13 March
  • Summer 2021 - published 25 June
  • Autumn 2021 - published 8 October
  • Winter 2021 - published 10 December

Current issue: Winter 2020

$26.50

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2020 issues of Communicator.

$7.50

Winter 2020 issue of Communicator: Standards.

Includes:

  • Celebrate UK Technical Communication Awards
  • Discover standards: ISO 20607:2019, S1000D and EN IEC/IEEE 82079-1
  • Learn about data visualisation
  • Plan your eLearning

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$7.50

Autumn 2020 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Focus on eLearning and Training
  • Read multiple articles focusing on different aspects of eLearning and training
  • Read about MadCap Flare 2020
  • Learn about the benefits of Help Xplain from EC Software
  • Discover the latest developer documentation trends
  • Understand the importance of terminology management

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$7.50

Summer 2020 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Discussing which soft skills you need
  • Working from home
  • Move your learning online
  • Read a product review about Layerise
  • Learn about IR35
  • Create content for conversations

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$7.50

Spring 2020 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Who are your users? Improving the user experience
  • Overcome user pain points
  • Have an adventure in technical communication
  • Read a case study on implementing S1000D
  • Continue to explore the technology behind mobile phones

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$26.50

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2019 issues of Communicator.

$7.50

Winter 2019 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • 10 reasons why TCUK19 was good
  • Visually improve your content
  • How introverts can become leaders and influencers
  • Reduce customer questions with social media
  • Learn about Paligo

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$7.50

Autumn 2019 issue of Communicator includes:

  • Structuring and designing content

  • Tips on using colour in your content

  • Product reviews for PerfectIt, FrameMaker and RoboHelp

  • Meet the needs of your e-learning audience

  • Information 4.0 tools: the comments

Click the links for the contents pages of the main issue.

This issue is accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$7.50

Summer 2019 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Improving your help content
  • Simplify your user interface images
  • Read how ISO 27001 affects information developers
  • How to enrich your wellbeing in the workplace
  • Information 4.0 - the future? What tools will be needed?

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$7.50

Spring 2019 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Are chatbots taking over?
  • Create dyslexia-friendly documents
  • Stop being an imposter
  • Captivate content for the digital era
  • Changing viewpoints over the decades

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$26.50

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2018 issues of Communicator.

Includes Autumn 2018 special supplement on 50 years of change.

$7.50

Winter 2018 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • TCUK 2018: trepidation to elation
  • Enthuse others about your role as a technical communicator
  • Improve the accessibility of your online output
  • Apply user experience principles to your work
  • Read a review of Adobe RoboHelp 2019

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$7.50

Autumn 2018 issue of Communicator is accompanied by a special supplement on 50 years of change.

Includes:

  • Broaden your audience

  • Have the people involved in your meetings changed?

  • Build a hybrid mobile app using Cordova

  • Manage terminology with the TechScribe term checker

  • Use SCHEMA ST4 content for augmented reality applications

Click the links for the contents pages of the main issue and the special supplement on 50 years of change.

This issue is accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$3.50

Special supplement on 50 years of change.

Includes:

  • The skill of writing well will always matter

  • A history of word processors

  • Changes in print technology

  • 25 years of online help

  • Memories of times gone by

Click here to see the contents page.

$7.50

Summer 2018 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Predicting trends in techcomm
  • Understand the advantages of working with Open Standards
  • Better documentation? Work/life balance improved
  • Discover tips for researching effectively
  • Information 4.0: content, contextualisation and output

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$7.50

Spring 2018 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Plain language - what is it? How do you apply plain language to your documentation?
  • Guidelines for e-learning localisation and; video
  • Learn more about Gestalt principles for designing visuals
  • Read a case study on Miele and SCHEMA ST4
  • Re-ignite your career with MadCap Flare

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2017 issues of Communicator.

$3.75

Winter 2017 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Awards, awards and more awards!
  • Learn about Information 4.0
  • Create user-orientated documentation
  • Do we need better authors?
  • Explore tools: SCHEMA ST4, SVG, Word

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Autumn 2017 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Learn to estimate
  • Explore chatbots, podcasts and more
  • Create documentation using images
  • Improve translation and localisation
  • Work with marcomm

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$3.75

Summer 2017 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Creating new user experiences?
  • Discover ST4 and Paligo software
  • Tailor your documentation for the European market
  • Promote yourself by creating a portfolio
  • Read all about it! From hot-metal to digital

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Spring 2017 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Software-related articles: SCHEMA ST4, MadCap Central, Word VBA, DITA
  • Can you disconnect from work?
  • Tips to improve your confidence
  • Learn all about sub-editing
  • Develop your content strategy

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2016 issues of Communicator.

Includes Autumn 2016 special supplement on Science Communication.

$3.75

Winter 2016 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Become an expert. Learn where your career can take you
  • Help your business value documentation
  • Give feedback in the classroom and in practice
  • Discover nanotechnology
  • Find out abouta Doc-to-Help improvements

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Autumn 2016 issue of Communicator is accompanied by a special supplement on Science Communication.

Includes:

  • Priotise your tasks

  • Create compliant manuals for the US

  • Write a winning proposal

  • Implement Swagger with API docs

  • Misunderstandings around women in techcomm

Click the links for the contents pages of the main issue and the special supplement on Science Communication.

This issue is accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$1.75

Special supplement containing articles about Science Communication.

Click here to see the contents page.

$3.75

Summer 2016 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Budgets, business cases and more
  • Using methodologies: OBASHI and Lean
  • Expanding possibilities with MadCap Flare 12
  • Is your translated data secure?
  • Taking care of your health

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Spring 2016 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Learning from testing
  • Reduce your long-term maintenance workload
  • Learn how Green Technology is relevant to you
  • DocOps and the technical communicator
  • The impact of Augmented Reality for us

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2015 issues of Communicator.

Includes Spring 2015 special supplement on the value of technical communication.

$3.75

Winter 2015 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Learn, network and share. Read about this year’s TCUK conference
  • Localise content through web design
  • The world of analytical engineering
  • Learn more about networks
  • Are technical communicators grumpy?

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Autumn 2015 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Study at the University of Limerick
  • Viable options for replacing QWERTY
  • Have you thought about working remotely?
  • Do women make better technical communicators?
  • RoboHelp 2015 and PerfectIt product reviews

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$3.75

Summer 2015 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Learn more about Microsoft Word
  • What's a technical metaphor?
  • Create and implement personalised learning
  • Re-think your accessibility requirements with SVG
  • Discover how a security technology team engaged with customers

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Spring 2015 issue of Communicator accompanied by a special supplement on the Value of Technical Communication.

Includes:

  • The latest product reviews for MadCap Flare, SCHEMA Reader and Scapple

  • Learn about agile and Six Sigma methodologies

  • Findability is key to searching for information

  • Create more visual material using video

  • Mimic real-life through virtual reality

Click the links for the contents pages of the main issue and the special supplement on The Value of Technical Communication.

This issue is accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$1.75

Special supplement containing articles about The Value of Technical Communication.

Click here to see the contents page.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2014 issues of Communicator.

Includes Spring 2014 special supplement on Translation and Localisation.

$3.75

Winter 2014 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Tweeting at TCUK 2014
  • Improving your videos
  • Reading about a career change
  • Learning about the Lean methodology
  • Engaging with customers

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Autumn 2014 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Where are technical communicators?
  • Breaking into technical marketing communications
  • Improving your verbal skills
  • Learning how to get accurate reviews
  • Why publishing needs technical communicators

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband and insert from MadCap Software.

$3.75

Summer 2014 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Meeting user requirements
  • Finding out more about multi-device learning
  • Using mediation as a management tool
  • Understanding localisation opportunities in Brazil
  • Reading a Doc-to-Help case study

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Spring 2014 issue of Communicator accompanied by a special supplement on Translation and Localisation.

Includes:

  • Using video in your documentation - learn best practices and read a case study

  • Learning the latest trends in technical communication

  • Adding code with jQuery

  • How to write for scientific documentation

  • Latest product reviews of RoboHelp, Flare and more

Click the links for the contents pages of the main issue and the special supplement on Translation and Localisation.

This issue is accompanied by a bellyband from MadCap Software.

$1.75

Special supplement containing articles about Translation and Localisation.

Click here to see the contents page.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2013 issues of Communicator.

Includes Summer 2013 special supplement on Accessibility.

$3.75

Winter 2013 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Grand days out in Bristol
  • Learn more about the DSDM framework
  • Channel your energy in different areas
  • Move from unstructured to structured writing
  • Design help for mobile phones

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Autumn 2013 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Google Glass and MOOCs
  • Creating online training material
  • Learn how to communicate value
  • Everything you need to know about working from home
  • Why is English so difficult to spell?

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$3.75

Summer 2013 issue of Communicator with special supplement on Accessibility.

Includes:

  • Early technical illustration skills - learning about historical fighting manuals

  • Developing your technical illustration knowledge

  • Learning how to facilitate group meetings

  • Reviewing a new tool, Docfacto

  • Discovering more about ANSI Z535.6

Click here to see the contents page and the contents page of the supplement.

This issue was accompanied by a bellyband from Adobe Systems Incorporated. The special supplement is also sponsored by Adobe.

$1.75

Special supplement containing articles about accessibility.

Click here to see the contents page.

Sponsored by Adobe Systems Incorporated.

$3.75

Spring 2013 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Re-thinking what you do. Case study: stepping outside your comfort zone

  • My first year as a Technical Communicator

  • Recruit a technical communicator

  • Volunteer in a mechanical role

  • Read about MadCap Flare 9

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2012 issues of Communicator.

$3.75

Winter 2012 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Learning from the writer Mark Twain - applying his writing advice today

  • Read about Technical Communication UK 2012

  • Develop your API and SDK knowledge

  • Manage projects with Scrum and PRINCE2

  • How to apply copyright law to technical communication

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from Adobe.

$3.75

Autumn 2012 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Breaking into a specialised market - learn about APIs and SDKs

  • Read the latest review of Adobe RoboHelp 10

  • Improving your customers' user experience

  • Learn about the Lean methodology

  • Translating health topics for developing countries

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$3.75

Summer 2012 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Can you measure success? - explaining the value of documentation

  • Read the latest ISTC survey results

  • Practise your accessibility skills

  • Keep up-to-date with the latest ANSI Z535.6 standard

  • Using and implementing HelpServer

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from Adobe.

$3.75

Spring 2012 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Focus on social media - exploring the subject from different angles

  • Thinking of breaking into technical communication?

  • An analogy from the motor industry

  • Exploring the latest release of MadCap Flare

  • Explaining how a local authority uses scrum

Click here to see the contents page.

This issue was accompanied by an insert and bellyband from MadCap Software.

$13.25

Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2011 issues of Communicator.

Includes Winter 2011 special supplement on Technical Illustration.

$3.75

Winter 2011 issue of Communicator with special supplement.

Includes:

  • Technical Communication UK 2011 – Read about this year's 3-day event

  • Why internationalisation is an opportunity

  • Using FrameMaker for a complex book

  • Interacting with theatre scripts

  • Creating video for user assistance

Includes special supplement containing articles about technical illustration. Sponsored by Adobe Systems.

$1.75

Special supplement containing articles about technical illustration. Sponsored by Adobe Systems.

$3.75

Autumn 2011 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Designing end-user assistance – Introducing a new methodology

  • Taking a look at the archives of technical illustration

  • How do you use colour in your documentation?

  • Learn how to create successful bids

  • Read about a company that has created help for mobiles

$3.75

Summer 2011 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Harry Beck’s London Underground – Inspiring others with clear illustrations

  • Can e‐learning replace user guides?

  • Software that could improve your writing

  • The future of machine translation

  • Reviewing web-based content management

$3.75

Spring 2011 issue of Communicator.

Includes:

  • Writing successfully for everyone – Including accessibility in your documentation

  • Reviewing Adobe RoboHelp version 9

  • Understanding effective page layout

  • Working with MadCap Flare version 7

  • Learning to use more pictures