Monday 22 September 2008

Branding a City and Talking Design With Peter Saville



Last Friday morning at the Studio had been the busiest of the week, with clients calling more than usual and working toward getting a major project to print. Plus, I was due to catch a 2pm train to London to see Peter Saville speak at the V&A that evening. With all my work complete and arrangements made, I headed-off to town.

The event was staged in the Lecture Theatre of the V&A, an impressively ornate victorian space with a double-height ceiling. As you enter, you have the feeling of being watched because as you choose where to sit, you're flanked by a portrait gallery of artists and scholars. Rather fitting as you're about to face a softly illuminated setting, imagining the many figures from history who would have spoken beneath the vast half-dome high above.

As we patiently awaited the arrival of tonight's guest, idol chatter disturbed the stillness of the auditorium - then he arrived, dressed like a scruffy Bryan Ferry - the designer who contributed classic work for Factory Records, who for me were as much an art movement as they were a record label. And now it too has past into history.

Peter Saville is also blessed (or cursed) with having to re-tell its story. But it's one I'll never tire of hearing; the coming together of seemingly ordinary individuals in Manchester who created extraordinary music, graphics, events and buildings. But maybe the biggest achievement was transforming their shabby home environment into something vibrant and inspirational to the rest of the world. And of course, it happened as a result of seeing the Sex Pistols at a locally organised event which revealed that anything was possible. That art, creativity or self-improvement doesn't have to be the preserve of the upper classes.

I had seen Peter speak before at the Norwich School of Art and Design and wondered if it would be a re-run of that lecture. He did detail his design background but there was much more. Interviewed by critic Alice Rawsthorn (wearing fantastic shoes) she did ask him about his iconic work for the music and fashion industries, but also his more recent role as Brand Consultant to Manchester City Council. This proved to be great stuff - how do you brand a city? And the trick for a city to communicate is through what it does, whether it's culture, heritage, architecture or sport. But there is also the challenge to improve the cities environment - setting a brand profile and living up to it. Or as Peter put it, 'make it better'.



Post-war Manchester was a shadow of the progressive, industrial city of the late 1800's. A place which had created inventions such as the computer (and freaky dancing). Peter's suggestion was to brand Manchester as the 'first original modern city' - and encourage its citizens to be just that. This positive endeavour also saw the launch of the Manchester International Festival in 2007 and its celebration of the work of new artists with a focus on the issues and stories of our time.



The Factory spirit of originality and confidence is still evident today in city projects such as these and an example for wherever we live. There was one more story, which was not planned for this evening and it came from a question from the audience regarding Peter's involvement with the Pennine Lancashire identity. Peter had been encouraged to get involved by the late Tony Wilson, and act as creative director to the Manchester agency Creative Concern for the project. This lead to Peter and Tony spending two days together, driving around to explore the Pennines for inspiration. And it proved to be the last time Peter saw Tony, as he sadly succumbed to cancer, shortly after.

Tony was truly proud of his city, and gets the last word,
"Your city cannot be a derelict shit hole, if the young people of your town believe themselves to be the equal of Cardiff or Birmingham, but believe themselves (in what is most important in the world: the creation of popular culture) to be better than Paris, Tokyo and L.A. – And if you've got that pride in the central feature of your town - that is something to build on."


Click here for more information on the Manchester International Festival and Pennine Lancashire plus, Manchester: Original, Modern

Friday 5 September 2008

Studio at D&AD Xchange



I was out and about again this week, accompanying Andy Campbell (Course Leader of the FDa/BA Graphics Communication, NUCA) at the D&AD Xchange.

If like me, you were disappointed by the lack of Summer and your holiday wasn't long enough, then you probably need to re-charge your batteries by hearing from some creative minds. And Andy and I found plenty (twelve to be exact) at this exclusive two day event which featured leading speakers from varied areas of expertise such as, graphic design, branding, advertising, the inter-web and photography. And as the lights went down we heard details about their work, how they got there and how we can inspire our current art students.

I had my faves. I really enjoyed Alan Young, Creative Director of St.Lukes - laid back because he had recently broke his leg (stepping onto a skateboard!). We could have sat together round a log fire, cradling a fine whisky as he shared his wisdom - he wants to see work that makes him fearful. Work that possesses an emotional energy which challenges the 'old thinkers who are set in their ways'. God he was scary - Imagine presenting to the guy. But how I wished I had worked for him.

Andy was very moved by Janet Kestin, (Co-Chief Creative Officer of Oglivy Toronto) and her work on the Dove soap campaign. It stirred quite a debate with its campaign for real beauty and its challenge to our visual perceptions - is this model fat or fab? - tick the box. But the whole challenge is best summed up by the example below. This was indeed thought provoking work which didn't state the obvious about the product. Selling a point of view as well as the brand.



The typographer and letterpress legend Alan Kitching touched everyone with tales of his career (he was even too choked to speak when he remembered another friend who had passed on). Alan was more than old school. He had started back in the fifties, arranging metal letterpress type for layouts inspired by the 'new typography' of Jan Tschichold. At this point I wasn't making notes, I was sketching his poster layouts!

Today, Alan is famous for his letterpress - and the typo is stunning. This is where design becomes art. He brought along a few prints for us to get up close and feast our eyes upon. How I wish I could afford to buy the poster, 'Electricity Kills Darkness - candlelight illuminates it.'



Andy and I had a great time – especially watching the delightful Rosie Arnold (BBH) and her work of wit and joke telling as seen in campaigns for Lynx, Pretty Polly and my favourite below. As Rosie said, the best work explores truth, humour and our life experience. Think on.

The Art of the Poster in Amsterdam


During a recent visit to Amsterdam, I spent most of my time taking snaps of their superb poster art.

And it got me thinking. Why isn't there more of this kind of thing in my own town of Norwich? Amsterdam has various dedicated poster sites, promoting many local events – each poster an absolute visual treat and complimentary to the local landscape. I love poster design; it's similar to the 12" canvas of the record sleeve and the ideal format for the designer to express themselves and spread the word of their client.

The only trouble is, once you've completed your fabulous poster there is no where to display it. I can understand Norwich Councils' dislike of fly-posting - but my reason is that many of them look awful. I like DIY design by talented amateurs, as long as it's good. The cut and paste designs (or anti-design) of Linder Sterling and Jamie Reid are good examples of design which doesn't have to be highly finished. So all you designers for clubs and live gigs, please up your game.

I would love for us to have poster sites like Amsterdam - but it would also be a result for the Council to run regular pitches or competitions which promote local events with effective and stimulating design. And judged by the local design community. These posters could be genuinely creative and not have to be slaves to brand culture. Just great design art which communicates the message.

Wouldn't it be cool to see someone from Amsterdam taking snaps of our posters?

Please see some great examples of dutch posters here.