D&AD President's Lectures: David Hillman

Unfortunately, Studio slunk in twenty minutes late for this event thanks to delays on the rail network. Typical. Anyway, stood at the back I was still in time to hear David Hillman talk about his work in the sixties and take his guided tour through the decades that followed. In conversation with Patrick Baglee, it was a relaxed evening and like the many magazines that David's worked upon: content packed.

Is David the Austin Powers of the industry? Behave – but he was in London just as it was beginning to swing, working on the Sunday Times Colour Supplement and being appointed art director of London Life magazine in '65 at the style hungry age of 20. The word 'colour' is key to the sixties, where the UK was leaving behind the black and white world of post-war austerity and dazzling all with its creativity.



Working on Nova magazine from '69 until its closure in '75, he helped create a richly photographic and lavish publication for men and women (which confused potential advertisers). Its content, forever striving to break taboos such as reporting on homosexuality, VD and other confrontational issues. The design would also challenge the status quo - David's favourite example being a front cover featuring a pair of legs instead of the required formula of printing a Big Face. Such a crusading spirit resulted in a desirable magazine you didn't mind being seen reading on the tube.



Step into Patrick Baglee's D&AD tardis and you'll promptly appear in 1988 where David has been asked to re-design The Guardian. By making such radical decisions as placing the masthead on the right and the ultimate heresy of placing text content above it. Plus, a belief in quality photography and designing around the Big picture. There's a feeling throughout David's career that he continues to be in the right place at the right time, but with the talent to create era-defining design.



Of course that was a long time ago, and The Guardian has had another facelift since then (David dislikes the blue bar masthead) - here we are in 2009 and local newspapers and national magazines alike are facing closure. But for David he doesn't believe the threat is from technology alone. It could be the publishing industry itself. Where is the imagination? We still enjoy the printed word, greedily absorbing magazines and newspapers in depth and at our leisure, rather than the quick hit of the interweb. But we will only be appeased by provocative, stimulating content – superbly designed. For David, he sees too much repetition in news stand racks - the same celebrity faces staring back at a fame deluded public. The future can learn from the simplicity of the past - content to be driven by the 'idea', and the vital combination of style and substance.

Visit David Hillman's Studio here

Far East and Far Out With Andi Sapey

Andi Sapey is one of Studio's regular collaborators and takes a great picture. And I'll tell you a secret; designers love working with photographers - as we sit chained to our macs, we envy them as they race around taking fabulous pictures, talking casually to models and generally recording a more glamourous world. And here is your exclusive preview of his recent second trip to Japan.



Andi was like an over stimulated child when he first returned from Tokyo. He absorbed its fluorescent and dizzy culture, seen its eccentric youth tribes which ram raid the 20th Century for inspiration. And he took a lot of pictures. Even the crowded street shots tell their own story, with the occasional face in the crowd disguised by a surgical mask - respectfully not spreading germs.



"While you're out there, take plenty of pictures of young people", I asked him before he left, "I want to see what they're wearing". I wanted to see its youth culture – and the Japanese appear to have borrowed much from the bored and disinterested of the west and ran with it. And created an identity strange and fascinating but still their own.



These guys are the Bōsōzoku, a 50's style motorcycle gang who look to have been cloned from Gene Vincent's DNA. Their exaggerated quiffs threaten the ozone layer and doorways alike. They hang around, rev their bikes and dance to a weird electronic rock and roll, stomping madly and binding their winklepickers with black tape so they don't fall apart.











BBC Four's recent 'Hidden Japan' season, featured the photographic work funded by Albert Khan, a wealthy retired banker who while travelling the world despatched a photographer to document his journey - and in colour too. He first visited Japan in 1908, and discovered a country on the cusp of change, their national identity still proudly routed in the past but about to be consumed by the wider world. It's weird to compare Khan's shots with Andi's – 101 years apart but still revealing an amazing culture. Japan still respects its traditions, but with a wicked sense of humour.



Here are the links: Andi's Flickr - Albert Khan on BBC Four. And Andi's main site.

Wild Thing...

Warning: parents may get a little misty eyed at this post. Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, 'Where The Wild Things Are' has finally been made into a movie, and will soon be competing against the latest pixar creation, for our children's attention.

I first discovered this wonderful book when I was at art school in the late '80s, we were working on a brief for a children's pop-up book at the time. And I was immediately struck by the imaginative illustrations, which entice you further into the world of the wild things. I was 19 – what must it do to the mind of a 3 year old?



Ten or so years later I got to find out, as each night I read this magical book to my son Billy. It was his favourite bedtime story, and each time I re-told it there was the opportunity to embellish the story, while his eyes marveled at the imagery. Perhaps, he imagined he was Max, the boy in the story who was banished to his room for making mischief, and once there escapes to the land of the wild things.

Billy is ten now and will soon see the movie (he's always loved cinema) - I wonder what he'll think of it? The first signs are good, as it's directed by Spike Jonze - famous for music videos for artists such as Bjork and Fat Boy Slim and directing the movie, 'Being John Malkovich'. The kind of weird stuff perhaps perfect for where all wild things are.

Boys and girls, Mums and Dads – Here's the trailer, now weep:

D&AD President's Lectures: Peter Saville

I know what you're thinking - not another post about Peter Saville. But what can I say, I'm a fan and in that spirit I am going to write this account in the style of Heat magazine and not mention design at all.

Raven haired Peter Saville took to the stage this evening at Logan Hall, Institute of Education for the first of the D&AD President's Lectures. The event was a sell out, allowing standing room only for those skinny jean students still knocking back pre-talk lager. Perhaps they thought that given Peter's disregard for deadlines, there would be time for one more. But no, he was here, sat waiting to begin, all smiles and engaged in enthusiastic conversation with Adrian Shaughnessy. Maybe laughing about being duped into thinking it was due to begin an hour earlier.

Then someone grabbed his eye. It was Neville Brody, another 80's typo legend and sat only two seats away from Studio in the next row. Peter clad in white levi's, bounded up the stairs toward the man famed for The Face and Arena, to embrace and exchange continental kisses. It was quite a moment kids. Now on with the show.



Adrian took the role of Paxman and warned us that Peter was a talker - once he starts, forget about being home in time for The Apprentice. Never mind the telly, as we're told tonight, the brand of Peter Saville is probably his best creation. A designer without a home, who chose to live at work - and he does have plenty to say.

The students present must have been comforted by the tale that when at art college he asked his friend Malcolm Garrett where to get a copy of 'Pioneers of Modern Typography' - Malc told him 'in the college library' - Peter replied, 'where's that?'. Mal now incredulous says, 'Peter, you're in the third year'. Adrian loved this – 'is Malcolm here - are you here Malcolm?' he asked the silent dark Hall.



Then some students in the Hall had their hearts broken, when they heard from Lord Peter that perhaps us hacks from the sticks try harder - and that maybe Saint Martin students consider themselves already brilliant. Controversial stuff, which perhaps prompted a few asymmetric haircuts to grab their bags and leave. Perhaps with art, sex and takeaways on their minds – who knows.

Studio was disappointed that Kerry Katona, Girls Aloud or even Dale Winton didn't make the show. But those guys missed out on the designer who helped Wham! make it big. Or as Peter often tells Manchester City Council, 'make it better'.

(Studio now takes off Heat mask) Obviously there was much more. Interesting to hear that despite his stressful stay at Pentagram (Alan Fletcher told him that his work wasn't graphic design) that every day since he has drawn upon the business wisdom he learnt there. And how did he get the job as Creative Director of Manchester City Council? He had been considered by the selection board as being extremely rude and very honest regarding his home town. But he was successful despite his frankness because the board felt that the reason he was so rude, was because he cared.

Here's St.Peter on Banksy and Damien Hurst. Hold tight.


Peter Saville Q&A: What do you think of Banksy? from D&AD on Vimeo.

Normal Studio service will resume in the next post with exclusive pictures of Brad and Angelina (only kidding, or am I?).



More on the D&AD President Lectures here.

Highlights, Hangovers and Four Designers

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

Studio Gets The Bug

I was stuck for ideas for what I wanted to do for my birthday. But inspiration arrived in one of my client's emails, recommending me to go along to BUG – The Evolution of Music Video at the Norwich Playhouse.

It was the first time this event had been hosted outside its regular venue at the BFI Southbank in London, which I guess could be because its presenter Adam Buxton now lives up here. Bearded, very funny and prone to breaking into a Christian Bale type rant, Adam presented a night of the latest in music video innovation. I guess most of us are now more used to seeing this kind of film making on youtube, so it was cool to see it on the big screen.

My favourite was 'What's A Girl To Do' by Bat for Lashes and directed by Dougal Wilson. It reminded me of Twin Peaks - but with animal masks and BMX bikes. Plus, we had the additional treat of an interview with Dougal who told us about a rejected video proposal for Coldplay – involving chattering false teeth and Chris Martin getting his dentures mixed-up with Noel Gallagher's. Now that would have made a good promo.



The night finished off nicely with the Oscar nominated 'I Met The Walrus', directed by Josh Raskin. More a short film than a music video, the soundtrack features 14 year old Jerry Levitan in 1969 interviewing John Lennon, back when he was staying in bed for peace. It was a cool bit of animation but it's John's wisdom that shines. But I thought the Walrus was Paul? Enjoy.



www.bugvideos.co.uk

Nadav Kander and Obama's People.

Wasn't Tuesday a great day? Like many, many people Studio were excited to watch Barack Obama finally being sworn in as President of the United States of America.

I had spent the day at the Norwich University College of the Arts, providing tutorials for Year 3 students – as they all booked in for their 10 minute slots (which always over run) I charged one student with the task to make sure that one mac in the studio was ready with a live news feed of the inauguration at 5pm, our time. I'm glad that I didn't miss it – watching the two million spectators that flocked to Capitol Hill, Washington to witness this historic moment. Many of whom were excited and emotional that potentially, here was a President who could make a significant change for the better. So, no pressure then.



And here are the people behind Obama – the guys who will hopefully help to affect a positive change to all of our lives. This Sunday (25.01.09), the New York Times will publish 52 full page photographs of Obama's government team who were shot last December by photographer Nadav Kander. He was an interesting choice to shoot these portraits, as he is famous for his work in advertising for brands such as Nike and Levi's.

But his landscape and portrait photography are worthy too, though sometimes have a sense of sadness and emotional detachment. What I like is, that when he takes a the picture of a celebrity, there is no glamour – just their character and life experience engrained on their face. But would Annie Leibovitz (who took the recent portrait of the Queen) have taken a more flattering picture? Maybe. Then again, these are politicians and each of these portraits convey a stark honesty.



If want to see all of these portraits, click here – then familarise yourself with the individuals, who together with Obama shoulder a remarkable responsibility and the expectation of millions – and don't miss the Back Story, there you'll hear the background to this prestigious project. The behind the scenes images are cool too.

And because I know you want to, visit Nadav Kander's site here.