About

Pier is more than a journal. It’s a community that celebrates the brilliant people, places and organisations that make Dorset what it is.

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Pier aims to celebrate the creative culture of Dorset. Our mission is to provide a platform for local creatives, businesses, events, and organisations to showcase their work and build connections with a wider audience.

We firmly believe that art and culture contribute to the creation of healthier and happier communities. By highlighting the diverse talents of Dorset’s creative community, we help position the area as a creative destination full of opportunities for growth and development.

Pier Journal is founded by Studio Glass,  an independent creative agency designing brands with clarity and purpose. Based on the Dorset coast, we produce innovative design and strategy for products, people and places. 

Founders Sammy and Chris traded the hustle and bustle of London for the dream of starting a seaside design studio. With over a decade of experience in the design industry, we have collaborated with a wide range of prestigious brands, such as Amazon, Barclays, BBC, Diageo, Logitech, Hammerson and The Sunday Times.

Throughout our career, we have been involved in diverse projects, including placemaking and advertising flagship destinations in key cities across the UK. Most notable among these are Battersea Power Station, Bankside Yards, Holland Park Villas, the O2 and Shaftesbury.

We've harnessed this previous experience and designed Pier Journal as our way of giving back to the area we're lucky enough to call home. If you love what we're doing and wish to work with us, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

  • Sammy Murphy

    CO-FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
    hello@pierjournal.co.uk

  • Chris Johnson

    CO-FOUNDER AND DESIGN DIRECTOR
    hello@studioglass.design

  • Laura K. Williams

    EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
    laura@pierjournal.co.uk

  • Francesca Hughes

    CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
    francesca@pierjournal.co.uk

  • Bethany Piper

    CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
    bethany@pierjournal.co.uk

  • Olivia Thurlow

    EDITOR
    olivia@pierjournal.co.uk

  • Donna Smart

    EVENTS MANAGER
    donna@pierjournal.co.uk

  • Chipo Muwowo

    WRITER
    hello@chipomuwowo.com

  • Izzy Weds

    ILLUSTRATOR
    hello@izzyweds.com

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  • I’d like to fanboy a little and say how exciting it is to FINALLY have somewhere to showcase what is - in my view at least - the biggest potential for the area. I love it, and it fills me with some much-needed local pride. Thank you.

    Ceej Rowland, Gullivers Farm Shop

  • We are here and it’s finally time for the epic Pier Journal to shed light on everyone hustling their own business. Hats off to the duo behind this mag for stepping out on their own to do something to help showcase everyone else.

    Emma Rowland, Pen Gallery

  • How do two young relative newcomers arrive in a town and quickly start to define its creative scene? Pier Journal seems like a small miracle of clarity about the people living and making in the many districts around Bournemouth.

    Timo Peach, Momo:zo

  • Last night we celebrated Pier Journal's first birthday and the launch of their Summer Issue– the queue was out the door! What an amazing night, thanks to all that came... keep an eye out for more events like this!

    Donna Smart, The Way Outback

  • It's a stand out piece of design. It's difficult to cut through the noise, but you have done it - with bells on. Brilliant work.

    Chris Wilson, Blu Inc Studio

  • It really is a great publication featuring some of our incredible local talent. We are lucky to have it here in the local area.

    Aaron Blandford, Riptide Espresso

  • Such an inspiring, energetic, positive pair with BCP at the heart of everything they're trying to achieve!

    Hannah Porter, BCP Council

  • Just a note to applaud your first edition of Pier. BRILLIANT. Visually beautiful, insightful and inclusive articles and just what this area needed.

    Richard Richards, Actuation Consulting

  • We just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your journal. We picked it up from Westbourne a week or so ago, and read it cover to cover. Inspirational and so well put together. Congratulations!

    Ian Reeves and Tony Read, Residents of Poole

  • SO thrilled when I picked it up. The area is crying out for it.

    Emily Waller, Resident of Southbourne

  • Beautiful journal, things like this are so needed locally and refreshing to say the very least!

    David Mundson, Resident of Bournemouth

  • This is such a beautiful publication, we're in absolute awe. Lots of great tips and fantastic articles on local businesses and places to visit.

    Bournemouth Beyond

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Get in touch

Come join the Pier community and collaborate with us to connect with our local audience. Illuminate the fantastic work you're doing and extend your reach across Dorset and beyond →