Alleyn’s On magazine

A digest of ideas and original thought

The client

Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a theatre-owning actor and contemporary of Shakespeare and Marlowe, Alleyn’s School is a co-educational, independent day school. The school encourages curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning across its students and alumni.

The brief

Alleyn’s School wanted to create a new bi-annual magazine to engage both alumni and students. Described as a “digest of ideas, opinion, and original thought,” the magazine showcases writing from teachers on topics significant to their work or personal interests.

The challenge was to develop a design that captured the essence of an academic journal while remaining accessible and appealing like a traditional magazine. Inspiration was drawn from publications such as The New Yorker, Guardian G2, The New Scientist, and Monocle Magazine. The brief evolved to include a template that blended these two styles effectively.

Allyeyns School, Alleyn's On magazine cover design

Our approach

How we approached the project from understanding the client right through to the campaign execution. Hover your mouse over the flip tiles below to learn more.

Moodboard idea showcasing a corridor with metal beams that form the shape of an 'A' for Alleyns School

Blending academic and editorial

We developed two initial design concepts — one reflecting a clean academic journal, and another inspired by classic magazine aesthetics. The final design combined the strongest elements from both, producing a unique style that balances sophistication and accessibility.

Spread view of Alleyn's on featuring key articles

Design that gives space to think

The magazine featured a limited page layout with ample space to highlight both text and imagery. This approach emphasised the writing and accompanying visuals without overcrowding the pages.

Typography and tone

The masthead used Alleyn’s School’s sans serif font, paired with a classic serif font for headlines, drop capitals, and quotes. This created a clear, visually appealing hierarchy throughout the publication.

Allen's on cover design showcasing the summer 2023 issue with a futuristic image on the cover designed by The Graphic Design House.

Imagery that provokes interest

Instead of obvious photography, we chose abstract and conceptual imagery to match the reflective, thought-provoking nature of the articles. Each visual was chosen to spark curiosity and complement the tone of the writing.

“We’ve received it! And it looks fabulous, thank you very much. You’ve done a brilliant job on it well done”

Melanie Huntley
Head of Marketing and Communications
Alleyn’s School

Results & next steps

The first issue of the magazine, themed “AI and the New Now,” successfully combined clean design, thoughtful typography, and intriguing imagery. Feedback from the school was very positive, and the magazine has established a strong foundation for future editions. The design created a publication that is both visually appealing and engaging for its readers.

We will continue working with Alleyn’s School on future editions, building on the success of this first issue. Each new edition will explore fresh themes and ideas, ensuring the magazine remains a valued resource for students and alumni alike.

Have a project for us?