An Evening with Kimberley: Celebrating Print Design and Creative Journeys in Our Magazine Room

We first met Kimberley in the most natural way—through a visit to our newly opened independent magazine store. A long-time follower and early supporter, Kimberley enthusiastically embraced our space, purchasing printed mags and creating reels to spread the word about us.

Kimberley’s impressive presence in the print design world, including work with renowned publications such as Hood, Perspectives, and Cosmopolitan, sparked an idea: why not partner with her to explore her creative journey? We knew her story as a freelance graphic designer, deeply rooted in print, would resonate with our audience.

So, we hosted a special event in our magazine room, welcoming guests with chilled prosecco and a delicious grazing cheese board to enjoy as they browsed through our curated collection of magazines.

The evening began with casual introductions, giving guests the chance to connect and share stories about their careers, crafts, and mutual love for print. Kimberley then captivated us all with her talk, walking us through her inspiring journey—from her school years to studying at Kingston University in London and eventually founding her freelance business ‘Kimberley Creative’ in 2021, based back here in the North. Seeing someone from the North, like us, thrive in the creative industry filled us with pride and reminded us of the incredible talent that comes from our region.

Kimberley also had an opportunity to discuss her favourite printed magazines and why they inspire her. Among her top picks were Little White Lies for its bespoke illustrated covers, Dog due to her love for her own French bulldog at home, The New Yorker for its topical and uniquely illustrated weekly covers, Magneto for its vibrant use of colour, and Interview Magazine, which she admires for its party-like energy and large format size.

Today, she continues to focus on freelance magazine design, with clients including Argos, Sainsbury’s, and Bravissimo. In addition, she holds a director role for Perspectives– a Jewish lifestyle publication and Hood—a Scottish fashion and lifestyle magazine.

For us and our guests, connecting with someone so immersed in the magazine industry was both fascinating and enlightening. It’s not every day we get to hear the stories and creative processes behind the magazines we know and love.

The event wrapped up with an engaging Q&A session. Kimberley answered questions ranging from where she finds her creative inspiration— “flicking through independent magazines in spaces like this,” she shared—to her thoughts on the future of print and advice for aspiring creators looking to grow their businesses or brands.

By the end of the evening, the atmosphere was buzzing with motivation and inspiration. Everyone left feeling a deeper connection to the world of print and proud to be part of such a community.

This event was more than just a talk—it was a celebration of creativity, connection, and the enduring beauty of print design, hosted here in our independent magazine room.