The sixteenth issue of The Mechanics’ Institute Review is a climate-themed anthology of fiction, essays and poetry from emerging and established UK writers. Featuring contributions from Richard Hamblyn, Jean McNeil and Fran Lock, as well as a foreword by Julia Bell and photography by Diego Ferrari, the issue explores the urgency of the climate crisis through personal, political and speculative lenses.

As the graphic designer, I was commissioned to develop the new visual identity for the series, both in print and online. My role included designing the cover, typography and layout systems, ensuring the tone matched the editorial depth of the writing. I worked closely with the editorial team to establish a modular layout that could accommodate essays, short fiction, poetry, photography and endnotes while maintaining a cohesive visual rhythm.

This issue in particular required thoughtful use of space, contrast and pacing to reflect the thematic intensity of the content. The result is a visually engaging literary journal that balances academic structure with accessible design.