Unique Magazines: Championing the Next Generation of Creatives

Too many great creative ideas never make it beyond the classroom. That is why we partnered with Fashion Communication students at Northumbria University on a live brief for Unique Magazines, challenging them to develop a campaign for our store and bring their ideas to life.

The project began with a visit to our space, where students explored who we are, gathered inspiration, and captured content before returning to the university to develop and present their ideas.

Each concept reflected a different creative perspective, showing the impact of fresh thinking when given the chance. Ideas ranged from children’s reading sessions, to pairing wine with print, and even using magazines to explore luxury travel. Every campaign connected a category of magazine with an experience, from events to pop-ups and social content.

We knew it would be a shame to leave these ideas as concepts. So we focused on bringing the strongest and most achievable ones to life, turning student thinking into something real.

Music in Print – Lucy Mayor

Lucy’s idea stood out immediately. Music in Print celebrates the connection between vinyl and magazines, two forms of physical collectables that continue to hold real cultural value. The aim was to position Unique Magazines as a place where physical media truly thrives.

At a time where everything is becoming increasingly digital, vinyl and magazines remind people why physical media still matters. By collaborating with local record stores and businesses centred around physical media, the campaign became something bigger than magazines alone.

The campaign ran for just over four weeks, beginning with interviews featuring staff at HMV Newcastle discussing why vinyl still matters, the importance of physical media, and their experiences growing up with magazines. Each conversation, in its own way, came back to the same point: physical media, whether print, vinyl, CDs or books, is still deeply valued.

One of the standout moments was our “best spots in Newcastle for music and print lovers” post, which reached over 350 likes and sparked genuine engagement. Not just online, but in how people began sharing and rediscovering physical spaces across the city. This naturally led into further content and interviews, including a visit to Beatdown Records, one of the most recommended independent record stores in Newcastle.

Lucy’s campaign opened up new opportunities, connecting us with different parts of the physical media world and encouraging us to explore it further.

Through Lucy leading this campaign with our support, it has been hugely valuable for everyone involved. It has brought fresh creative thinking into the business, while also giving Lucy the opportunity to build her portfolio and gain real-world experience ahead of finishing her degree.

Looking ahead, we will be supporting another student, Emily Bremer, as she launches her campaign The Curation Club, focused on hosting regular creative sessions for students in our Mag Studio.

This is exactly what Unique Magazines is here to do. Support new voices, back fresh ideas, and create real opportunities for the next generation to make their mark. Because the future of print and physical media depends on fresh perspectives, and those ideas deserve to be seen, shared and brought to life.

Lucy’s Social: @lucybettina_