London Characters — E1 zine
Alternative walking guide, 2025

Texts, images, design and print production by Paul Stewart.

The guide's narration mixes experimental linguistics and psychogeographic observations with historical and contemporary themes and narratives to provide a reading of the people, atmospheres, and built environments of Brick Lane E1.
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The organic grid structure of the pages is based on Brick Lane’s street plan. The position of ‘Brick Lane’ on the grid/street plan shows the section of Brick Lane where the locations are situated.
The visual language reflects contemporary esoteric and eclectic graphic design and typographic aesthetics.
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Typography is picking up on eclectic contemporary aesthetics through the use and juxtaposition of two contrasting typestyles, each selected for its effectiveness in communicating the themes of the multi-faceted project, which include the historical and contemporary aspects of Brick Lane.
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Using a combination of Risograph and Inkjet output enabled an experimental process, creating a layered textural dimension that mirrors the E1 texts' themes of history, grit, glamour and the ethereal.
 
Specification
A5, 24pp
Printed Riso and Inkjet 
Paper stock
Munken 90gsm Natural White
Saddle-stitched and trimmed
Print run 1000 copies
 

The work undertaken in Brick Lane, London E1, is part of the London Characters project, which has looked at other characterful locations, including London W1 and WC2.
 
I am interested in London’s unique places, which have a diversity of people, histories, atmospheres and built environments.
 
For more information, please download the portfolio here: