“Not too design-y”: Third Place Zine is a playful publication about city life that’s built for everyone

Founded by creative director Xander Opiyo and editor-in-chief Gala Mendoza, Third Place Zine takes the initial concept of third places – somewhere that is neither work nor home – and stretches its parameters. The publication, explores the built environment, how it’s occupied and how spaces could be reimagined for the future. 

The zine first came about when Gala and Xander met through a mutual friend and immediately bonded over their shared interests, Gala having a background in urban planning was interested in creating something based on the built environment, and Xander playful and smart design was the perfect match “Third Place Zine is a physical manifestation of our minds melding,” says Gala. The first issue, following the theme of Parkscapes, highlights the ultra-accessible third place and the pride Xander and Gala have for their own local neighbourhood parks. In 2024, the duo commissioned and curated different pieces for the issue culminating in an eclectic and charmingly scrappy zine that dutifully reflected its subject. “The first issue feels whimsical and fun – the way you’re meant to feel in a park!” says Xander.

At the end of 2025, issue two hit the shelves, an exploratory and intriguing edition titled Movement Building, which asks how third places foster an environment that supports the mobilisation of people. “We came to the theme through deep discussions about what we saw going on around us,” Gala recalls. “We wanted to highlight the moment we find ourselves in, as well as a look back at the history of organising.”

For this second run, Third Place split the issue in half, “the title is meant to be a double entendre,” Gala adds, telling not only the stories of where movements were built, but equally exploring buildings where movement is the focus – be it dancing, music or comedy venues. Xanders explains: “These stories also offer a glimpse at resistance and mobilisation against the status quo,” a topic that, while weighty, is approached in the zine with a positive, perhaps euphoric, perspective. “We like to mention that most of the stories in the magazine are actually quite joyous,” Xander continues, with stories on NYC’s first Muslim mayor to the effervescent, unifying power of karaoke. “Unity, togetherness, belonging,” Gala adds, “there is something for everyone!”

The editorial tone of Third Place’s second issue is neatly mirrored in its rigorous yet chaotic design, constructed with a graphic system that serves its thoughtful writing whilst embodying its playfulness. “Across both issues we wanted to create a visual identity that felt super accessible and not too design-y,” Xander says, shaping an aesthetic space that feels as similarly homegrown as the third places they celebrate. Feeling approachable, accessible and, ultimately, for others to use and enjoy. 

The familiarity of the design comes through the use of Arial Narrow as the primary typeface, a much loved font amongst designers and a commonplace one too. Here lies the secret sauce of Third Place’s success: the ordinary. The publication proves how celebration of such everyday visual cues can be utilised to create an editorial structure that’s rich and approachable. Reflecting the supportive role that third spaces offer, Third Place works with a number of illustrators, photographers and designers that all take turns in the issue. “Xander is also a very fun designer,” Gala adds, “who is not afraid to use tools like colour, collage, and hand-drawn elements to engage all the reader’s senses.”

There’s a satisfying and complimentary synthesis of the zine’s foundational subject matter and it’s publishing: “We like the idea that our magazine might be read or sold in third places,” Xander says, with issues one and two currently being stocked in independent bookshops across the world, “it’s amazing to learn about all of these cultural hubs in other cities, we want to visit them all!” The success of the zine is unsurprising given how meaningful an enquiry it makes into the role urbanism can play in our lives. “There are plenty of publications about architecture and design, but we wanted to offer another lens to think about how cities are shaped,” Gala ends, “the desire for and the building of community is what drives all of this.”