10 Newspapers we loved in 2020

As much of the world came to a standstill this year, we saw the limitations imposed by the pandemic push our customers to find new sources of creativity. From making sculptures out of household objects during lockdown to documenting the small joys of daily routines in a comic, these are just 10 of the many brilliant newspapers that kept our presses going through 2020.

Just our type

Since 2012, The Designers Foundry has made accessible and interesting typefaces used by the likes of Apple, Nike, Netflix and the BBC. This type specimen, printed on our tabloid newspapers, celebrates the release of Tomato Grotesk — a new font designed by Andrea Biggio. We love a pared-back palette and here a bold, three-colour design quickly communicates this font’s punchy personality.

Pillow talk

In this year of loungewear, Desmond and Dempsey makes pyjamas chic enough to get away with wearing on a Zoom call. The Sunday Paper is their quarterly newspaper, published alongside each new collection. This issue, printed on our tabloid newspapers, is an ode to a life well-lived at home. “The idea is to inspire an appreciation of slowing down and celebrating everyday life,” they say. “A reminder of all the reasons why staying in is wonderful.”

Jammin' with Mailchimp

Means is the name of Mailchimp's primary brand typeface, an elegant and quirky serif used for headlines across the company's website and communications. This tabloid newspaper, created by the Mailchimp Brand Design team during their bi-monthly creative Jam session, is a typographic exploration of the custom font. “We wanted to elevate the work whilst still feeling like it’s an ongoing exploration,” says creative director Christian Widlic about turning the team's brainstorming into a printed souvenir.

Stay-at-home sculpture

During Italy’s lockdown in March, photographer Federico Marin built a new installation from household objects every day. “Each one is freestanding with no Photoshop or hidden supports,” he says of the 54 structures he created. From a pineapple balanced on a stack of books to strands of spaghetti dripping from a shower head, they’re all documented in this tabloid newspaper. A fittingly surreal tribute to this most unusual year. Designed by Ottone Studio.

From lo-fi to high fashion

There’s an elegant juxtaposition between lo-fi newsprint and the luxurious tweeds, cashmeres and silks modelled in this lookbook for Holland & Holland, the British gunmaker and clothing brand founded in 1835. “The fanzine format is at odds with the culture of the brand,” acknowledges designer Jethro Marshall of JJMarshall Associates. “But with clean minimal design it becomes something honest and sophisticated.” Printed on our mini newspapers.

Top marks

“What’s the best thing you’ve ever drawn?” That was the question posed to members of Illustrators for Hire, a platform promoting the work of freelance illustrators. Responses from 144 professional illustrators are compiled in this mini newspaper, which was sent to art directors and editors around the world. From favourite foods to career milestones, it’s a peek into a brilliant mix of creative minds. It's been effective, too: "I've already learned that a magazine art director discovered and reached out to an illustrator!" says co-founder Nate Padavick.

Marvellous masks 

Artist Robbie Simon’s warm, inviting illustrations will “make your eyeballs feel like they’re lying in a hammock.” He’s created posters and album artwork for musicians like Kevin Morby and Fleet Foxes and painted murals for Facebook and Warby Parker. In this broadsheet newspaper he shares 23 of his abstract illustrations in bold primary colours. “I like to call them masks as they often feel like the face of a creature but resist direct representations,” explains Robbie. Get a copy of this limited run from his online shop while you can.

Daily doodles

Artist Peggy Wang documents daily life with her partner Ben in this sweet comic, printed on our mini newspapers. Beginning as a weekly Instagram series in 2019, the name Peanut Butter comes from the comic’s depiction of both smooth and “lumpy” moments. “I wanted to bring the stories to life in a tactile format that could be shared and enjoyed offline, especially with grandparents who don't use social media!” says Peggy about making a newspaper. “I've been told it’s helped keep people company when they are having to spend more time alone.”

Community crafts

With the arts events they normally organise on hold, Spot on Lancashire turned to print to keep their community engaged. This tabloid newspaper, featuring craft ideas and interviews with local creatives, was distributed to over 4,000 people through Spot On's mailing list and Lancashire's library service — specifically targeting older audiences and those without access to the internet.

“People were really grateful to receive something tangible, that didn’t mention the pandemic, with activities for them to do at home,” says Spot On. “It is still being picked up by people in libraries and we are still getting photos from readers of their craft projects!”

Geek chic

From curating the wardrobes of Animal Crossing avatars to tracing the history of Star Trek’s costume designers, The Sartorial Geek celebrates the fashion of fandoms. Founded by Jordan Ellis and Elizabeth Crowder Serota in 2017, it’s an online community and quarterly mini newspaper for self-professed pop culture geeks. “We love the old school (and very official) feel of the newspaper format,” says Jordan. “It showcases the hard work that goes into each issue in a beautiful way.”

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