MishMash: A student-led magazine showcasing creativity at Arts University Plymouth

<p dir="ltr">At <strong>Arts University Plymouth</strong>, creativity is a way of life. ‘MishMash’ is an independent magazine conceived and published by <strong>First Class BA (Hons) Illustration graduates</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tomhasnoclue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thomas Pope</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zaralily_illustrates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zara McDermott</a>, capturing the talent and creative energy of students across disciplines.</p> <p dir="ltr">Created to spotlight the <strong>art, ideas, and processes</strong> of students across disciplines, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mishmash_mag/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘MishMash’</a> is a <strong>platform for creative voices</strong>, offering insight into the journeys of <strong>illustrators, photographers, designers, fine artists, animators, and makers</strong>.</p> <p>The magazine was <strong>entirely self-initiated</strong>, with Thomas and Zara balancing its production alongside their final-year studies. They secured contributions, conducted interviews, designed layouts, and even managed distribution, all while working on their own ambitious degree projects.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Zara McDermott had long been fascinated by the hidden work behind finished artworks—the sketches, the experiments, and the creative risks. She wanted to create something that allowed students to showcase this process.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve always loved talking to students and staff from different courses about what they’re working on,” Zara explains. “There’s so much incredible work being made that often only gets seen at the degree show. ‘MishMash’ is about capturing what happens before that—the research, the challenges, the evolution of ideas. I wanted to make something tangible that people could hold in their hands, something that reflected the <strong>breadth of creative talent</strong> across Arts University Plymouth.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Thomas Pope, who was instantly drawn to the idea, saw the project as a way to <strong>demystify creativity</strong>. “I’ve always been fascinated by how artists think,” he says. “There’s something really intimidating about looking at a polished final piece without understanding the work behind it. With ‘MishMash’, we wanted to create a magazine that makes creativity feel accessible—that inspires rather than overwhelms.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With contributions from students and recent graduates, the first issue of ‘MishMash’ offers a <strong>diverse snapshot</strong> of creative life at Arts University Plymouth. The magazine features <strong>interviews with painters, fashion designers, animators, and photographers</strong>, each revealing the unique ways they approach their craft.</p>

<p>One of the key goals of ‘MishMash’ was to highlight the <strong>connections between different creative disciplines</strong>. Thomas and Zara put out an open call across the university, inviting students from all courses to submit work.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In all honesty, the magazine came together really naturally,” Thomas says. “The number of students who responded matched exactly what we’d hoped to feature. Some submissions were more established, others were in-progress, but that mix was what made ‘MishMash’ so compelling. We wanted it to be an <strong>honest reflection</strong> of creativity at Arts University Plymouth, showcasing not just the polished work, but the struggles and breakthroughs that happen along the way.”</p> <p>A recurring theme that emerged was <strong>overcoming obstacles</strong>. “So many of the artists we spoke to shared stories about pushing through creative challenges,” Zara adds. “It was inspiring to see how fearless people were when it came to failure—how they experimented, adapted, and trusted the process.”</p>

<p dir="ltr">Bringing a magazine to life while juggling coursework was no easy task. The biggest hurdle was funding.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We self-funded the first issue,” Zara explains, “but we knew that wasn’t a sustainable model. We had incredible support from the <strong>Arts University Plymouth Brand team</strong>, who helped us think about ‘MishMash’ as a fully realised publication. Moving forward, we’d love to explore sponsorships or collaborations to keep it going.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Beyond finances, the logistics of designing, editing, and distributing a publication were complex.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I underestimated just how much time the production side of things would take,” Thomas admits. “We both put our own skills to work—Zara handled illustrations, outreach, and project management, while I focused on layouts and copy editing. Later, we brought in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/megmogphoto/"><strong>Megan White</strong></a> to take professional photographs of contributors’ work, which was a huge help.”</p> <p>The magazine’s <strong>visual identity</strong> was another carefully considered aspect.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Although ‘MishMash’ was born within Arts University Plymouth, Thomas and Zara hope to see it continue beyond their time at university.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’d love to publish a second issue,” Thomas says, “but we know we’ll need to make it financially viable. One option could be securing advertising from local creative businesses. We’d also like to expand the content—maybe including student-led wellbeing articles, book recommendations, or even a directory of student makers.”</p> <p dir="ltr">For Zara, the most rewarding part of the project has been the <strong>collaborative spirit</strong> it fostered.</p> <p>“Meeting Tom every Wednesday and seeing ‘MishMash’ come to life was one of my favourite things about my final year,” she says. “If you’re thinking about starting your own independent creative project, my advice is: <strong>just do it.</strong> Find people who share your passion and make something happen. University is the perfect time to experiment.”</p>

<p dir="ltr">‘MishMash’ is now being sent to <strong>all Arts University Plymouth applicants</strong>, giving future students a <strong>first-hand look</strong> at what it means to be part of this creative community.</p> <p dir="ltr">If you’ve received your copy, take the time to <strong>explore the interviews and artwork inside</strong>. It’s a <strong>testament to what’s possible</strong> when students take creative ownership of their ideas.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Want to see Arts University Plymouth for yourself?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join us at an <strong>Open Day</strong> to explore our <strong>studios, workshops, and specialist creative spaces</strong> in person.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/opendays"><strong>Book an Open Day here.</strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Inspired to apply?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Take your next step towards a career in the creative industries.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Start your application.</strong></a></p>