Out Of The Studio/Inspirational Days
Ben Bos/Total Design
Mark Holt and Hamish Muir/ 8vo
Design Museum Talk
How was it to work with Wim Crouwel? These three individuals know. But Studio did not hear too much salacious gossip – apart from the racing car which Wim secretly constructed in an Amsterdam attic.
Each designer speaking are great in their own right. In the 80s, 8vo were already on everyone's radar with their work for Factory and their self-published 'Octavo' journal. Wim was their second subscriber and soon after, commissioned them to design for the Boymans Van Beuningen museum
in Rotterdam.
Frustrated by Dutch business being won by UK agencies, Ben Bos and Wim Crouwel founded Total Design in 1963. Deciding to base their business on the UK agency model of the Design Research Unit and Fletcher/Forbes/Gill, as "organisations like to speak to other organisations". Though Ben said this resulted in them annoying the other 240 designers working in Holland at the time!
It was an inspiring evening, finishing with Ben declaring, "Design is not a job, it's a way of life".
-Darren
'Wim Crouwel, A Graphic Odyssey' continues at the Design Musuem until
3 July 2011.
Hamish Muir and 8vo
Ben Bos and Unit Editions
From desk to floor - Mark Holt spreads out in the 8vo studio.
Ben Bos - "It started with drawing".
Ben Bos introduces "The Dutch Beatles".
A Graphic Odyssey
March had been a busy month, so it was great for Billy and I to spend time away from the Studio to see this retrospective show of Wim Crouwel's work. And it's brilliant - especially as his vibrant original posters and programmes have not faded with age. And of course their striking typography is still contemporary and a continued inspiration for all designers.
Plus, in the evening we had the additional treat of seeing Wim and his son Mels in conversation with Rick Poynor. These events are always a rare treat. The next Studio outing: 'Working With Wim' a talk with Ben Bos and 8vo.
Wim Crouwel, A Graphic Odyssey runs at the Design Museum, London until 3 July 2011 - don't miss it.
-Darren
Visit the Studio blog for Wim Crouwel’s last lecture in the UK.
Wim Crouwel - What Makes Him Go?
CR Blog - The Wonder Of Wim
Barney maybe isn’t instantly recognisable as Saville, Garrett or Farrow, perhaps because he seldom put his name to his work. But his design was amazing, a real explosion of style which possessed charm and wit. And you find it in his work for Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Stiff Records (and many, many more).
Studio Creative Director Darren Leader and photographer Andi Sapey recently visited this superb show at Chelsea Space in London.
A Reason To Be Cheerful
Barney Bubbles Studio Flickr Set
As we know, some men like to collect stuff. Ex–Clash guitarist Mick Jones has recently put together an exhibition of his collection of ephemera from his childhood and music career. It was exciting for this show to be staged at the Norwich University College of the Arts. Darren and Andi got to see the show before the Private View.
A Riot Of Our Own -
Mick Jones Rock & Roll Archive at NUCA
Mick Jones Studio Flickr Set
