Playground Magazine
Issue 5
ABOUT THE PUBLICATION
Playground is the magazine that dares to explore, question, and re-envision the creative industries. Through thought-provoking essays, reports, and bold, honest conversations, it’s where curiosity meets play and inspiration. Packed full of smart insights and egoless advice, Playground is a must-read for those working in, or curious about, Europe’s vibrant creative and cultural sectors.
YEAR
2026
SERVICES
Strategy & Conception
Creative Direction & Design
Content Commissioning
Content Creation & Management
Publishing & Distribution
Partner Management
ABOUT ISSUE 5
The fifth, 128-page issue of Playground brings together creatives from all across Europe – writers, illustrators, photographers, and artists – to map the current state of creativity across the continent and beyond.
Across essays, data, and dialogue, Issue 5 investigates the invisible economy that powers creativity, asking what it takes to keep it fair, connected, and alive – and the role of experimentation and play in helping to shape what comes next.
Inside Issue 5:
• A report on the importance of play
• Essays on speculative writing, why ideas are like monobloc chairs, refusal as creative practice, the allure of old-school gaming aesthetics, and more
• Our new city guide – Cities as playgrounds – exploring Finland’s capital Helsinki
• A deep dive into the world of workwear, along with the reveal of our latest workwear collaboration
• Conversations with creatives: artist Oliviero Fiorenzi, creative entrepreneur Carla Camilla Hjort, and more
• Plus, more Play – reader favourites including The CV of failed projects, The culture shelf, insights on the new local economy, and “play breaks” that invite readers to think along the way
• Everyday Uniform’ workwear with OXOX CLUB: launched a limited-edition everyday use uniform set with personality, comfort, and function at its core.
• New paper: introduced new cover paper & glossy papers inside the magazine.
• Playlist co-creation: invited the band AXNER, to curate a playlist for Issue 5 .
• Community created: Issue 5 continues Playground’s tradition of being shaped by its wider creative community, with every piece created by contributors discovered through open calls or invited directly.
UNIQUE FOR THIS PROJECT
The cover of Playground Issue 5, created by Antti Kalevi, a Finnish artist and illustrator, merges fragments of the magazine’s content into one composition
Added extra 16 pages on glossy paper for the first editorial photoshoot
Added more ‘Play Breaks’ inspired by first ever studio playground puzzle magazine – Playbook Issue 0
Introducer new city feature – Cities as playgrounds
Collaborated with IKEA Museum, Savo, KOPA Printing House & Hobo Helsinki Hotel
Introduced two new partnerships with Forward Festival & Clerkenwell Design Week
Launched workwear & tote bags as a merch next to this issue
Launched new Playbook publication at the same time
Featured in Stack Magazine Podcast
Our best-selling issue so far
– Reader Testimonial
