WorkGraphic Design

Creatives reflect on lockdown isolation in crowdfunded zine

Insiders is a crowdfunded, multidisciplinary zine about connection in isolation, launched in response to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Insiders zine cover featuring rainbow-coloured title text above a black and white photograph of a person looking out through a window

"The concept came from a desire for connection, to be able to work through this strange shared experience," explains Liam Basford, a Birmingham-based graphic designer working in branding and advertising.

After the UK Government announced a nationwide lockdown at the end of March, Liam like many others was put on furlough. "To keep myself busy and with an eagerness to create something, I proposed the idea of curating a collection of creative work to my friend and writer Dominic Nozahic," he recalls. "Over the past two months, we've been working with writers, photographers, artists and illustrators from all over the UK to get their unique perspective of lockdown."

Swiss Typefaces have donated two typefaces to the project as part of their COVID Initiative, which supports all projects working to fight COVID, while The Complete Product Company have offered to print the zine at cost price. Having exceeded its fundraising target, the final A5 portrait booklet will consist of contributions from 15 creatives over 64 pages.

If you are interested in getting a copy of Insiders, email [email protected].

Bold sans-serif typeface displaying the complete alphabet, numerals 0-9 and punctuation marks on a black background
Yellow and black spread from the Insiders zine featuring bold typography reading "NOW MORE THAN EVER" alongside article text about the lockdown experience
Grid of six black and white photographs showing lockdown scenes including empty streets, residential buildings, a person on a sofa and outdoor views
Aerial landscape at sunset with mountains and water alongside bold red text reading "Freedom Within Isolation
Two-page spread from Insiders zine showing black and white photograph of tall grasses beside text exploring themes of isolation and connection during lockdown
Large turquoise numbers "30.076" with overlaid text, a page spread from the Insiders zine about lockdown experiences
Comic strip by Peggy Wang showing a character experiencing isolation, with panels depicting daily activities, conversations and emotional moments during lockdown
Two landscape photographs spread across pages of the Insiders zine showing serene lakeside and mountain scenes with dramatic sky, accompanying text about isolation and lockdown experiences
Large green typography spelling "HUMAN" with overlaid text describing lockdown experiences and isolation
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