North London Collegiate School:
The North Londoner

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The client

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) is one of the UK’s leading independent day schools for girls aged 4–18, with a history of academic excellence dating back to 1850. The school is known for nurturing curiosity, confidence and individuality, combining ambitious teaching with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

The brief

The brief was to design and produce the first edition of the school magazine under NLCS’s new brand identity. The publication needed to reflect the spirit of Making Waves since 1850, celebrate achievements, highlight events, and engage a broad audience including students, parents, staff, alumnae and prospective families.

It had to feel bold, modern and visually compelling, while accurately capturing the distinctive character and energy of NLCS.

A photo of the North Londoner Magazine on a pallet in The Mailing People factory.
A mock-up of the North Londoner cover and internal spread on a dark blue background.

Our approach

We immersed ourselves in the refreshed brand identity, translating it into a magazine that felt confident, engaging and aligned with NLCS’s evolving visual language.

A photo of the printed cover for the North Londoner magazine in the Bishops Factory

Designing within a new identity

A photo of the printed cover for the North Londoner magazine in the Bishops Factory

As the first edition under the new brand, the design needed to clearly reflect the updated visual identity. Layouts and typographic choices were developed to align closely with the refreshed look and feel.

A photo of the printed contents spread for the North Londoner magazine in the Bishops Printers factory.

Engaging a broad audience

A photo of the printed contents spread for the North Londoner magazine in the Bishops Printers factory.

The magazine needed to speak to a wide-ranging readership. Clarity and structure were prioritised to ensure the content could engage diverse audiences while celebrating achievements and key moments across the School.

A mock-up of the NLCS North Londoner magazine opened.

Dynamic layouts & typography

A mock-up of the NLCS North Londoner magazine opened.

Dynamic layouts and confident typography were used to give the magazine a contemporary presence. The design approach aimed to reflect the vibrancy and character of NLCS while remaining clear and readable.

A mock-up of an internal spread of NLCS's North Londoner magazine

Structured collaboration

A mock-up of an internal spread of NLCS's North Londoner magazine

Structured approval workflows were introduced to support collaboration and ensure a smooth sign-off process throughout the design stage, allowing flexibility while maintaining momentum.

A photo of a printed spread in the Bishops Factory of the North Londoner.

Results

The relaunched magazine captured the spirit of NLCS’s 175th year, celebrating achievements and voices from across the School. Blending heritage with a contemporary perspective, the publication presents a vibrant portrait of life at North London Collegiate School, reinforcing the magazine’s role as a lasting record of the community and its enduring values.

Design your school magazine

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Launch your publication
with confidence

If your organisation is introducing a new brand identity and needs a flagship publication to bring it to life, we can help. From translating refreshed visual language into dynamic editorial design to managing structured approval workflows, we create magazines that feel confident, engaging and aligned across every touchpoint.

Let’s shape a publication that reflects your community at its best.

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