Friends Magazine Section 28 special

I designed multiple issues of Friends, Stonewall’s supporter magazine mailed to regular donors, including a special edition marking 30 years since Section 28. The magazine needed to update supporters on Stonewall’s work, show how donations were being used and tell powerful stories from LGBTQ+ communities in a way that felt informative, emotional and easy to engage with.

//The Design Process

Editorial storytelling: I created magazine layouts that balanced campaign updates, donor information, interviews and first-person stories, helping supporters understand both the history of Stonewall’s work and the impact of their continued giving.

Special edition design: for the Section 28 issue, I developed a bold, campaigning visual style using archive-inspired imagery, strong typographic treatments and high-contrast layouts to reflect the urgency, resistance and legacy of the subject matter.

Supporter communications: I designed pages explaining where donations came from, how money was spent and how supporters could continue to help, making financial and organisational information feel clear, transparent and accessible.

Content variety: I worked across a wide mix of article types, including community interviews, campaign updates, education programme features, fundraising opportunities and donor care information, keeping the magazine varied while maintaining a consistent visual rhythm.

//The Magazine Result

Stronger donor engagement: the magazine gave supporters a tangible connection to Stonewall’s work, showing the real-world impact of their donations through stories, updates and clear calls to action.

Clearer organisational impact: the design helped communicate how supporter funding contributed to campaigns, education programmes, policy work and community support.

Powerful issue-led storytelling: the Section 28 special connected historical context with current LGBTQ+ rights work, helping readers understand why Stonewall’s mission remained urgent and relevant.

Consistent supporter experience: across regular issues and special editions, the magazine maintained a professional, credible and engaging tone that reflected Stonewall’s brand while making complex social and political issues accessible to a broad donor audience.