Will Knight documents the rich individuality of his local shops as they adjust their traditional offerings to stay afloat in the digital age

Precisely observed and recorded, these cross-section and elevation scale drawings depict, in forensic detail, the working and living environments of a number of Glasgow’s independent newsagents, all within walking distance of my flat in the city’s West End. My intent was to celebrate their rich individuality, as well as the transformation of their interiors by shopkeepers over time.

Unlike the survey drawings of an archaeologist, which are generated to provide an accurate record of a site as left by its inhabitants, these drawings can only be produced through dialogue with the people who shape these places as their own.

'Sometimes the city lands right on top of you': Glasgow by Mitch Miller – an urban cartoon Read more

Crafted in pen and watercolour, my work documents these unique and disappearing frontages and interiors. Since the beginning of the project in 2016, two of the nine newsagents recorded have ceased trading.

Newsagents are a rich topic of research, not just architecturally, but also economically and socially. They are often the place where as children we engage in our first monetary transaction, buying sweets or comics; or perhaps our first jobs as paper boys or girls. As we grow older, so might our purchases change, buying lottery tickets, cigarettes or alcohol.

These shops are assets to the communities they serve, and the owners know their customers personally; they are of a scale that means they can adapt and update their stock to suit demand. Whereas sales of newspapers and magazines were once the staple of such shops, these businesses are having to change and adjust in order to remain afloat in a digital age.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Adam’s News, Byres Road, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Barrett, Byres Road, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Kanco, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Cut Price Groceries, Woodlands Road, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest News & Views, Byres Road, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest News & Views

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Park Dairy, Derby Street, Glasgow

Ceased Trading

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Network Newsagent, Woodlands Road, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Network Newsagent

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Rajous, Gibson Street, Glasgow

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tabak, Hyndland Road, Glasgow

Ceased Trading

Glasgow-based artist Will Knight studied at the Glasgow School of Art. Critiquing the often sterile, static and impersonal graphic representation of architecture today, Will’s scale drawings depict buildings as a lived-in experience. More of his work can be found on his website or on instagram

If you’re an illustrator or graphic artist with an idea for The Illustrated City series, email us at Cities@theguardian.com

Follow Guardian Cities on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to join the discussion, catch up on our best stories or sign up for our weekly newsletter