As any reader of the Studio blog may know, I enjoy a lecture or two. So when Andy Campbell of NUCA invited me to accompany him and a group of design curious students to this years '4 Designers' conference – I had to go. But was I prepared for itchy bunk beds, neon-lit bars from an 80's nightmare, or Andrew Shoben's balls? Not really.
Our two day trip, away from the comfort of home and Studio firstly took us to the Generator Hostel – I'm still trying to blot out the horror. But at least the security told the rowdy young people to 'shhush'. But still, we had the conference at the Odeon in London's Leicester Square to look forward to. Spread over two mornings, as the title of the event suggests, we had the work and wisdom of Martin Grothmaak, Francis Jackson, Adrian Shaugnessy and Andrew Shoben to soothe our pains. Not only but also, our host was 4 designer's chairman, Patrick Baglee of Navy Blue. So plenty here to take our minds off things.
First up – Martin from Berlin's Projekt Triangle and their work was a treat to behold - his sublime approach to design makes me feel good some how. Maybe it's the consideration of texture, or the understated typography - or is it because he likes big drawings of birds? Because PT had drawn loads of them at a Hugo Boss store in Metzingen, Germany. Martin likes the strange – the odd one out. And that's what he is looking out for in a graduate's book. You could tell the students loved PT's work, one of our lot was suitably inspired to declare Martin his new mentor. Cool.
After fresh air, coffee and so forth we gathered back inside for Francis Jackson and a presentation of the work of OPX. It was good stuff and perhaps a more down to earth contrast to PT. And I like idea-driven design - I agreed with her that some designer's can be stylists, happy to just apply helvetica typo to a nice image. Not sure about the assertion of just presenting one idea to a client. What if they don't like it? But that's just me. Mind you, it's important to make a confident recommendation to your client.
The Q and A was entertaining, when Francis was joined by Patrick and Martin. First question: "What's all this about Helvetica?". Martin appeared rather confused and answered that PT used serif fonts too. Another game student asked whether either of them had noticed any howling mistakes after completing a project – and like many of us, Francis admitted to a few (top tip for students: proof read). But when the same question was put to Martin he answered, "we make no mistakes". Big smiles - I think he's now my new mentor (sorry Peter).
Day 2 – Adrian and Andrew. But what about last night? Let's put it this way, there was much more than just a few hangovers around the crowded Odeon that morning. And Adrian was a little jet lagged. I could detect a little unease among the students, as Adrian talked about the business of design practice – the importance of presentation and understanding the responses of our clients (top quote: 'listen to your client - listen for clues'). If you've read his book 'How To Be a Graphic Designer and Not Lose Your Soul' you'll know how essential this information is. And I soaked it up – I was happy to be coached, as I was about to embark on a pitch once I returned to the Studio. OK, the students wanted to see cool design. And there it was, in his work with Intro and my favourite being the missing vowels and cut-up art of Primal Scream's 'Exterminator' record sleeve.
That collective hungover mood was raised by Andrew Shoben, founder of Greyworld – a collective that creates public space art. Andrew was a delight and as much a stand up comic as an outstanding creative. He even produced a bunch of flowers from up his sleeve, though thankfully no white rabbits. He began by sharing with us that an ex-girlfriend had finished with him on the back row of this very cinema – despite this trauma he told us about creating musical railings, and robotic statues which wink at you and copy your movements. It's called 'Monument to the Unknown Artist' and sited near the Tate Modern. Imagine, it's there right now, teasing the passers-by.
Andrew's account of creating the spectacle of rising balls in the atrium of the London Stock Exchange was another comical episode. Andrew's balls (yes, I know) are intended to rise and fall during the hours of business, brilliantly symbolising boom or bust - champagne or alka seltzer. Greyworld had five months to create this project and strictly in night shifts – 162 cables rising eight stories high, each with nine balls moving freely and occasionally spelling out the odd word. Called 'The Source', the balls did rise in time for an opening by the Queen. Nice one Andrew.
Special mention for Patrick Baglee, not only a great host but a gentleman too. As he walked across the stage to stand under a spot light to close this years conference, I almost expected Patrick to sing us a song. Maybe next year, please write in with your requests, but here's mine Patrick. Many thanks for a great event – all together now...
All the best to Andy, Rod and Selwyn and big thanks to David Pearson for sanctuary.
Want more? Visit here: PT / OPX / Intro / Greyworld
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