The New York Times Magazine’s cover story was a portrait of the Red Cross as an agency in deep trouble. The story centered on Bernadine Healy, the Red Cross’s embattled president, but our editor felt that a photograph of her would not be the most compelling cover. There are few symbols with the graphic power of the Red Cross, and from there it was pretty clear how to go—a cross, made of gauze, dipped in blood-red paint and fraying, photographed against a clean white background. Photographer Mikako Koyama’s clean, modern aesthetic translated the idea beautifully.

“When I saw this cover, I couldn’t help but imagine the meeting where it was conceived. It’s so well conceived, designed and photographed. Everything there is in service of the message—and it’s beautiful.”