8 newspapers to inspire you in May

Every month, we put together a roundup to show all the exciting ways our creative community uses newspapers. This time: indie crossword puzzles, a broadsheet for Scarlett Johansson's new skincare line and illustrations celebrating the wide world of hair.

Star treatment

Scarlett Johansson's new skincare line, The Outset, made headlines when it launched earlier this year. But it wasn't just the products (and their sleek minimalist packaging) getting love — Drew Barrymore gave a special shout out to the broadsheet included in the starter pack: "First of all you get this amazing magazine — this zine if you will. I mean, look at how beautiful this is," she said on her talk show:

Since then the broadsheet's been spotted out and about in New York City and in the hands of Iron Man himself (even superheroes need a good moisturiser!)

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Fizzy fiesta

De la Calle is a drinks brand putting a new spin on the centuries-old Mexican beverage tepache. The brand name translates to “of the street” in Spanish, so they wanted their promotional material to feel like “something you’d find at a street newsstand.” The 28-page digital tabloid brings the brand to life through a history of tepache plus recipes, a guide to Mexico City and an interview with artist Raul Urias.

“It’s refreshing to step outside of sales or product-focused content and more into the storytelling side."

“This first edition was all about education and building hype and community beyond the digital world,” says designer Megan Forbes. “It’s refreshing to step outside of sales or product-focused content and more into the storytelling side. We cannot wait to continue working on future editions and pulling in amazing collaborators and creatives to be a part of this.”

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Cryptic crosswords

Feeling weary of Wordle? You might want to try The Honeypot Puzzle Fragments, a new collection of “indie crosswords with a twist.” It’s created by friends and crossword enthusiasts Parker Higgins and Ross Trudeau, who funded the project with a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $7,500 (way over their $2,000 goal!)

"It's such a treat to print with a company that’s invested in the success of our project. I've worked with more ‘hands-off’ printers before but for something important like this I'm never going back."

“Crosswords and newsprint are an iconic pair and the digital mini format let us do bright colors and fun illustrations in a compact zine that readers could mark up easily,” say Ross and Parker. “It was fun to have creative control from the front to the back of this project and to end up with a beautiful object.” So far, they’ve sent over 400 copies to people on at least four continents.

“It's such a treat to print with a company that’s invested in the success of our project,” adds Parker. “I submitted a digital version that had some issues that were totally my fault, and Newspaper Club reached out to make sure I understood what I'd done and helped me fix it. I've worked with more ‘hands-off’ printers before but for something important like this I'm never going back.”

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Little learners

A Kids Company About makes books, podcasts and videos for kids, covering topics from racism and gender to voting and climate change. 

They loved the idea of adding activity sheets and other printable pieces to their subscription boxes, but wanted it to be “more intentional and less disposable,” says designer Duke Stebbins. They turned to our traditional broadsheets to serve as “the connective tissue” between all of their content, featuring activities, Q&As and timely features.

"A newspaper makes it possible to be hyper-responsive to what kids are thinking and talking about."

“After working so long with books, a newspaper makes it possible to be hyper-responsive to what kids are thinking and talking about,” says Duke. “It's a whole new side of our brand personality. People [say] that it complements our other products and makes our subscription experience really fun and engaging.”

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Hair care

Written by LaTonya Yvette and illustrated by Amanda Jane Jones, The Hair Book celebrates hair in its many, many forms: “No matter your hair, you are welcome everywhere!” The picture book is published this month and these digital broadsheets — featuring large-scale illustrations plus activities — will be given out at upcoming book signings. 

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'Allo, C.O. Bigelow!

America’s oldest apothecary, C.O. Bigelow, just launched their skincare range in the UK and they’re using our digital tabloid to spread the word. Using newsprint is a nod to the brand’s long heritage, says Alex Billbrough of Wizard Publicity and a fitting way “to tell the story of C.O. Bigelow in its own words while being visually engaging.”  

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Cut the mustard

New York City’s beloved hot dog shop Crif Dogs recently revealed a new visual identity, introducing a more contemporary look with mustard yellow and ketchup red colour scheme. This digital mini is part menu and part zine, featuring playful illustrations and street photography.

"The process of creating a newspaper was so easy and we are thrilled with the final product."

“We loved the opportunity to put a piece of our brand into [customers’] hands and to encourage people to doodle, play and make their mark,” say designers Marlee Bruning and Shang Wu. “The process of creating a newspaper was so easy and we are thrilled with the final product.”

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Blast from the past

Last month, West Yorkshire-based arts charity Keighley Creative organised a pop-up market to boost local business. Inspired by retro high streets, the K-Town Shopper event also featured an arts trail focusing specifically on areas with low public footfall. 

The newspaper “really brought the project together,” say designers Lee Goater and Aimee Grundell. “It was essential in guiding visitors around the artworks and telling stories about the community. People of all ages have taken free copies from the local train and bus stations or from outside the venue and have been discussing it in the local cafes!” Printed in our traditional tabloids.

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