Graphics
If it wasn’t for Clerkenwell based hair salon Fourth Floor most of London’s designers would look like badly styled hippies. If you’re in the industry you’re sure to know someone who’s been there at some point over the years. When you walk out of their old school lift into the impressive warehouse space, you can’t help but admire their eye for great design, especially their postcards and the packaging for their product range (these and their identity were created by London based agency North. Now long time manager of Fourth Floor, Conor O’Brien, has taken this admirable creative eye to Norwich and has set up his own salon Flint. A great name derived not only from it’s obvious blade sharpening ability but also from an historical flint wall opposite the premises. Biblioteque partner Mason Wells has created the identity. If you’re in Norwich pop by for a chop and also to admire the creative surroundings.
Dave Brown
Posted on Wednesday, 9th of December 2009 Permalink
For the last year or so I’ve been using the London based coiffeur Mr. Ducktail – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Motherkutter, to get my signature short, back and sides with a razor-sharp side-parting. If your brave enough, Mr. D, or William to his regulars, will sharpen up his flicknife and give you a proper teddyboy razor cut! Whilst having my hair cut yesterday, by more traditional methods – a pair of scissors, he took receipt of his own Mr. Ducktail branded hair pomade (above) featuring the graphics of Vince Ray, he of the 50s tattoo inspired graphic art. Vince will be performing, along with his band The Boneshakers, this weekend at the 7th International London Tattoo Convention that’s being held this year at the Tobacco Dock, Wapping. You’ll be able to purchase Rockin’ belt buckles, guitar picks, books, and of course, the hair pomade. You could even get yourself a tattoo from, some of, the leading tattoo artist in the world.
Nathan Usmar Lauder
Posted on Thursday, 24th of September 2009 Permalink
I recently came across this online. It’s a website dedicated to simplifying various film posters. Although you may not recognise a lot of them, it doesn’t take away from the pleasure of seeing these things translated so beautifully into basic geometric forms. If only everything in life could get the same treatment.
Alex Geoffrey
Posted on Thursday, 24th of September 2009 Permalink
I recently spotted this online. Its a wedding invite which has been designed by the groom who is also a graphic designer called Matthew Dorfman. It reminded very much of the letter press invite that Nathan did for his wedding earlier this year which was type set and printed from real wood type blocks, a collaboration with letterpress practitioner Kelvyn Laurence-Smith.
Alex Geoffrey
Posted on Tuesday, 8th of September 2009 Permalink
Saucy French Curves, Type scales, Hot Wax Coaters – graphic design studios used to be such tactile places, before those fancy-pants computers took over. If you ever had to unblock a Rapidograph pen, work a Photo Mechanical Transfer machine or use a Non-Repro Blue Pencil then head over to The Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies. Rose-tinted spectacles optional.
David Rainbird
Posted on Friday, 28th of August 2009 Permalink
There is a very welcome addition to the Grand Parade on the seafront in St Leonards on Sea. British designer Deborah Bowness has been busy renovating the space at No. 14 and will be opening her doors from the 5th September. Deborah has been designing and producing her sophisticated and unique hand printed wallpapers for seven years. We welcome her to the town and wish her every success.
Nathan Usmar Lauder
Posted on Wednesday, 19th of August 2009 Permalink
It’s that time again folks, the Village Fete at the V&A is back! This year we’re giving punters the chance to show their darker side with a replica vintage Criminal Record:
“Impress your friends with the Fibre Correctional Facility Criminal Record. Walk in the footsteps of your celebrity heroes - Steve McQueen, Bill Gates, Hugh Grant, Bob Fossil - and get your very own bespoke Criminal Record complete with mug-shot, finger-prints and all your personal details, without the need to spend a second at Her Majesty’s pleasure.”
More details here. Hope to see you there!
Nathan Usmar Lauder
Posted on Friday, 25th of July 2008 Permalink
In conjunction with the Street Art exhibition at the Tate Modern, various works
have appeared in the area surrounding the Fibre studio.
Artists from Spain, Italy, France and Brazil were all showing works at the gallery
and in the nearby streets. Some placed legally, some appear to have been done
without permission. Either way, the message would seem to be the same:
Street art’s ok so long as the perpetrator’s not from Britain.
In a decision I support, the gallery purposefully excluded Banksy in an attempt
to draw attention to other just as accomplished artists and aspects of the art
form. Just a shame I think not to celebrate some more of our own emerging
and already established talent.
There is a map of the route available for download on the Tate website.
Alex Geoffrey
Posted on Monday, 16th of June 2008 Permalink
Things Magazine bring you The Pelican Project, hard to pick a favourite decade or cover, the 60’s and 70’s are where most of the superb graphic solutions are. My favourite changes everytime I visit the site, some are above, but today it’s ‘How Children Fail’
Dave Brown
Posted on Wednesday, 30th of January 2008 Permalink
Form wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Tidy New Library. See also the ‘making of’ movie on their site. Link (Thanks Nathan!)
David Rainbird
Posted on Tuesday, 11th of December 2007 Permalink
