Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Shopper’s Diary: The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

Search

Shopper’s Diary: The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

October 12, 2011

Running low on monster essentials? Hoxton Street Monster Supplies is the place to go to stock up; while you're there, keep an eye out for the hidden entrance to the companion organization, Ministry of Stories. Inspired by American writer David Eggers' 826 Valencia project, London-based graphic designers We Made This Ltd. collaborated with a group of like-minded people, including British writer Nick Hornsby, to create a writing center where children ages 8 to 18 can get one-to-one tutorials with professional writers and other volunteers. Following the model of the 826 Valencia centers—which are disguised as pirate and robot supply stores, among other things—the Ministry of Stories is fronted by a fantastical shop, firing up the budding writer's imagination as well as generating income for the Ministry of Stories. Launched in November 2010 on Hoxton Street in East London, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies is about to usher in its first Halloween.

Photography by We Made This Ltd.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 3

Above: The storefront for Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, whose tagline is "Purveyor of Quality Goods for Monsters of Every Kind."

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 4

Above: The greengrocer of London's monster community.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 5

Above: The rules of the shop are spelled out at the entry.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 6

Above: Well-stocked shelves of monster supplies hide the entrance to the Ministry of Stories.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 7Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 8

Above: The labels of the Tinned Fear product line are digitally printed in a single color to keep costs down and then applied to blank tins by volunteers.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 9

Above: Balls of twine are transformed with inventive graphics.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 10

Above: The humorous logo of the Ministry of Stories.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 11

Above: Playful illustrations by Heather Sloane give Ministry visitors something to think about.

Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 12Shoppers Diary The Ministry of Stories and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies portrait 13

Above: A selection of Ministry button badges and pencils.

(Visited 84 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0