All in a Day's Work: Unique Magazines

Print is Not Dead! A phrase graphic designers, printers and magazine lovers champion. A sentiment Unique Magazines based in Gateshead, proudly stands behind. Their most recent event ‘Print is Not Dead’ hosted in the Ouseburn was a big success and celebrated the creativity of the print community. The November event featured a panel of proud Northern magazine publishers, designers, lecturers and print specialists who shared their insightful experiences of the print world to a local audience.

Unique Magazines distribute a plethora of household names and niche indie magazines. The first time I visited their ‘Mag Room’, I was blown away by their incredible curation of editorial titles. If you find yourself in Gateshead with a spare weekday afternoon I recommend taking some time to enjoy and shop the collection. Ellie and the team are so knowledgeable about their stock of fashion, design, culture, art, mainstream, and local publications.

I was so pleased to catch up with Ellie Purvis about what she achieves All In A Day’s Work!

Name:
Ellie Purvis

Role:
Creative Contents, Events and Social Media Manager, Unique Magazines Ltd

Summary of your work:
A creative exploration of media, print and community! I’m proud to champion both Northern and global creatives who pour their passion into print, sharing their work to inspire and connect others, while helping to keep printed media alive and celebrated in today’s digital age.

Starting the day

What do you enjoy seeing on your to-do list?

Scheduled meetings with creatives! I used to find this part quite daunting, but now it feels like catching up with a new friend over coffee and chatting about all things creative. I always leave these meetings feeling re-energised and more enthusiastic about my work. Connecting with people who think creatively and love coming up with new concepts and collaborations keeps me motivated and passionate.

What in your studio / space inspires you?

The hundreds of independent titles packed into our mag room! I’m constantly inspired by the covers and the space itself, with its vibrant colours and endless choices, using them to spark new ideas for posts and content that reflect each publisher’s mission. But honestly, I find my best inspiration outside the office, with a few mags in my bag and a quirky location, where I feel compelled to create stand-out content in different surroundings.

The working day

Why are you based in the North & is it important to what you do?

I was born and raised in the North, and for a while, I saw that as a limitation. I felt like my hometown had nothing for me, but after moving away twice and finding myself homesick both times, I realised that I’m always called back home. The people here are so open to making friendly and meaningful connections, which makes the networking part of my job genuinely enjoyable.

When I finally embraced my roots and started exploring my surroundings, I noticed just how much creativity we have here, from small independent businesses and graffiti art to quirky food spots and bold people who make this place feel like home. Life in the North feels more like a lifestyle; it’s not rushed but relaxed. People take the time to stop and chat on their coffee run or dog walk, things I didn’t experience when living elsewhere.

There’s a real sense of grit and community here, and I’m constantly inspired by local creatives doing amazing things. It motivates all of us to do the same without needing to leave the people and places we love.

Who do you work with in the North?

I’ve connected with so many amazing people here in the North. From local publishers and independent magazines like Radge, Darkus, Off-Field, Pitch, and Sponge, to students looking for printed inspiration, and creatives making a difference in the region, it’s such an inspiring community to be part of. We’re a team of eight here in the office, and we’re all Northern, so as you can imagine, we’re a proper little family!

End of the day

Where do you find community and connection outside of work?

Honestly, everywhere. I’m constantly out and about in the Northern community, usually by the coast. I find it in the small moments like having a coffee at a local café, chatting with strangers on dog walks, at my early morning gym classes, and when I’m on sunset walks with my best friends or over at family’s house. I never feel lonely and feel so grateful that when I do spend time alone, I get to connect with myself through journaling and little acts of self-care.

What does a satisfyingly complete day look like?

A satisfyingly complete day starts with an intense gym session before work, followed by a barista-made coffee. Then comes a workday filled with meetings, creative conversations, collaborations, and plenty of reels and social posts (as well as having my inbox cleared!) After work, I love taking my dog to the beach, making a lovely tea, and prepping for the next day. The evening finishes with a warm bath, some journaling and reading, a hot chocolate, and a very good, deep sleep.

Day after day:

What symbolises the North for you?

Friendly, chatty people, a beautiful coastline, and of course, Greggs.

What are you watching on telly?

I have two series on the go at the moment, a joint effort with my partner watching Unbelievable, and something he absolutely wouldn’t watch, The Summer I Turned Pretty. But no doubt I won’t finish either of them, I’ve got the attention span of a goldfish!

A piece of everyday design that you adore?

My scheduling app, for starters without it, my unorganised brain would never make it to any meetings!

Unique Magazine and Ellie's work inspiring students and keeping print alive in the North is genuinely refreshing especially across Newcastle and Gateshead. Having studied Graphic Design in Manchester where I was surrounded by places like UNITOM, Magma (RIP), Catalog, and Rare Mags in Stockport - editorial design always felt accessible and within reach. It wasn’t until I discovered Unique Magazines and the Shieldfield-based NewBridge Books that I realised there are hidden gems championing print culture in the North East too.

Similar to Ellie, I also felt at one point the North was a limitation, especially before moving to London, but the likes of Unique Magazines show just how open-minded and collaborative Newcastle and the wider Northern creative scene truly is. Unique Magazines are breaking down the barriers of print and connecting like minded designers of all creative backgrounds together. Their authenticity shines through and highlights just how close-knit and supportive the Northern creative community really is, and helps prove why being based in the North is not a limitation but what makes it so special.

Massive thanks to Ellie for such an inspiring interview and for helping launch the very first edition of All In a Day's Work! Check out Unique Magazine's Instagram here.

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for the upcoming editions of All in a Day's Work by Millie Jobson