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

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.

Studio Visits The Factory

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

Studio Maps Out SCVA Safari

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts recently staged a family fun day - in the centre of activities such as Fabulous Beast Face painting and an opportunity to make your own jungle drum was the Gallery Safari - and Studio were pleased to design and sponsor a unique map for this special event.

Children used the Safari Map to discover the many animal exhibits located around the collection and decorate the map with stickers once found. And along the trail, learn interesting facts (did you know Boars can leap 4 feet in the air?) while being distracted by word searches and pics to colour-in. Complimented by illustrations by Gary Laidlow, it was a real treat for the children taking part - as tested and approved by my two kids Billy and Evie.



The theme of the day was linked with the city wide summer art project Go Elephants! and despite it being too wet to play outside, the event was a great success and the map proved to be an interesting new way for kids to explore the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection.

If you missed the event, don't worry - there is a superb Constructivist exhibition at SCVA which runs until December, plus Kabir Hussain's Mapping Norfolk exhibition is worth a visit too, pick up your Studio designed Gallery Guide and enjoy, but get a move on - it ends 31 August.

Photos by Andi Sapey.

Dancing In The Streets: Norwich Vs London. You Decide.

Here at the Studio, we've enjoyed watching London based Road Sweeper, Zbigniew Colbecki cutting a rug with his Michael Jackson dance moves.

According to NME.com Zibgniew, or Ziggy Dust as he is now known, is currently gaining 21st Century styled fame and taking the net by storm. The boy is a mover at no mistake, but how does he measure up to our very own local legend, the Puppet man?

I walked through town recently with my son Billy, and there was the Puppet Man, his right leg moving madly like a cross between Joe Strummer and a young Paul Weller. His hand puppets, bug eyed in all their Bez like glory. I gave my son a nudge and told him that this guy was a genius.

Anyway pop pickers, here is Norwich's favourite son, the Puppet Man. The pavement truly lights up, just like in the Billie Jean video every time he ventures out. I propose a dance-off between our man and Ziggy then let the shoppers decide.

Stay with-it.

This man?



Or this man?

Adieu NSAD. Viva the Degree Shows.

"Games or Graphics?", decides my daughter Evie at this years’ Norwich School of Art and Design degree show exhibitions.

Our design studio created the exhibition signage system, together with promotional invitations to the Alumni. Always great to be involved with our local art college, whether its commissions such as these or part-time tutoring on the FDA/BA(hons) Graphic Communication course.

The show ends Wednesday July 2nd, so hopefully you've had an opportunity to get down there and survey the fantastic work on display. Plus there are changes in store, as NSAD has been granted university college status and from August 1st transforms into the 'Norwich University College of the Arts'.

Does that mean more dancing and less art? Who knows. But we are looking forward to the new identity and as The Jam eloquently stated, amidst stuttering feedback, 'this is a new Art School'.