It was one of those 'pinch me' moments. No, I hadn't just met Paul Weller. This was something altogether more holy and closer in spirit to the art of design. It was meeting the makers of the work that has inspired me for the last 25 years.
Along side my work with the Studio, I've been working as a part-time tutor for the Graphic Communications at the Norwich University College of the Arts. It's a great, industry-focused course with a busy work experience schedule, organised by my esteemed colleague Rod Green. Rod is a geezer - he likes my shoes. But more importantly, he knows of my fascination for the history of Factory Records and the design work of Peter Saville.
Peter has two studios - one in London and a second, unbelievably located 8 miles from Diss in Norfolk. It's run by Howard Wakefield, and his partner Sarah Parris and it's here that Rod had placed Connie, one of our students who had recently finished a successful two month work placement. Rod planned a visit to follow-up on Connie's progress - and he invited me along.
Having been picked up from Diss train station, we soon arrived at a barn conversion, in the middle of a field where three horses grazed lazily in the sun. Once welcomed and offered tea, conversation turned to New Order and the abysmal CDs that London Records had packaged in the 90s. Howard and his team are now re-packaging these valuable recordings and restoring the detail and tactile quality of Saville's original designs.
Howard has worked with Peter since 1991 and continues to play an important role - producing memorable work for artists such as Suede, Pulp and of course New Order. And let's not forget his part in the pioneering 'Waste Painting'. projects. It was a pleasure to meet him and Sarah and be treated warmly as a guest with a lively interest in all things Factory. And he spoke about this work with equal affection and enthusiasm.
Once invited upstairs to their design Studio, we were firstly shown the superb box set that they had designed last year for the Joy Division re-issue series. I've only previously seen expensive copies on ebay, to hold one felt precious. And then we saw the CD mock-ups for the New Order re-issues which are not expected in the shops until 2009. Connie had been fortunate to work on these, and Sarah had taught her the valuable method of replicating these packs from A3 colour run-outs. Not only that, she had also contributed ideas for a proposed run of t-shirts, all featuring a twist to Saville's original designs. Howard was particularly interested in her input to the creative process and her role in the Studio.
The visit was obviously magical for me, but must have been a valuable gateway for Connie to the rest of her career. What a great start. Plus an accolade for the Rod's work for the students on the Graphics Communications course.
We didn't get to meet Peter, but I am going to a talk that he is giving at the V&A next month - watch out for my post in September. Until then, treat yourself to one of the Joy Division CD re-issues - they are remarkable.
Visit the Saville Parris Wakefield site here
