PLAYGROUND ISSUE 3 & 'MORE PLAY' CAPS ARE OUT NOW!
read & wear a manifesto for the creative industries
Playground readers,
Viva la launch day — Playground Issue 3 has landed! What a ride the past month has been. The countdown to print is always a beautiful chaos: last-minute proofreads, the nerve-wracking press send-off, that first rush of holding the issue in hand, followed by pre-orders, packing marathons, and now — this moment.
So scroll on and dive in — see what’s behind the cover, fronted by our unapologetically green hero shade: Pantone 7481U.
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.
About Issue 3
The third 112-page issue of Playground explores the creative industries through the lens of freedom, bringing together over 40 creatives and contributors to collaborate on a topic that extends far beyond the creative world. As more creatives choose to work independently and break free from rigid structures, it’s clear there’s a drive to escape rules, hierarchies, mistrust, and dishonesty. It felt like a conversation that needed more airtime.
As a concept, freedom is personal and means something different to everyone. In this issue, we examine it from multiple angles:
A special report featuring insights from creatives in over 30 countries, uncovering emerging trends and perspectives on what freedom means to them.
An exploration of satire as escapism and alternatives to social media.
The contrast of play and freedom and how rules can sometimes enhance creativity.
Different states of freedom.
Conversations with inspiring creatives: Alex Holder on bookshops and financial transparency, Yuri Suzuki on sound and interactive art, and Ola Mirecka on creativity both independently and within corporations.
And there’s more! Dive into a ‘creative quickie’, where some of our favourite creatives share past project failures, tips for rediscovering play, cultural recommendations, curated design objects, and more.
We’re also so thrilled to be featuring essays from fellow Substackers —
, , , and many more brilliant writers, photographers and illustrators — all contributing beautiful, thoughtful stories around the theme of freedom. This issue’s a real treat, and we can’t wait for you to dig in.Curious about the glorious chaos behind the scenes? Say no more — here’s what nearly 300 hours of work (and probably just as many coffees) ended up looking like:
And that’s not all. The launch of Issue 3 also marks another first — our debut merch drop: the ‘more play’ cap. We’ve tested it, worn it, lived in it — and we’re officially in love. Wear it to the studio, the shop, the shoot, the park or the sofa. One size fits all heads full of ideas.
Here’s a slightly chaotic glimpse from the testing-meets-wearing phase. Don’t judge — it’s our first merch moment, so of course we tried it every way we could.
If you want to celebrate Issue 3 with us IRL, we’re throwing not one but two launch events — one in Amsterdam and one in Vilnius. Save the date, come say hi, and celebrate with us (more info released on our Instagram)!
Now, let’s celebrate — and if you’ve ever felt like supporting studio playground in what we do, this is your moment. Every order is packed and shipped with love, and truly, it means the world to us.
Love,
Auste & Playground team
Happy publication day!!! Eagerly waiting a green arrival in the post <3
Happy to be a part of this wonderful issue!