Postmodernism, Style & Subversion 1970–1990 Exhibition Graphics

Evolving from the ideas of Modernism of the early 19th century, Postmodernism was a radical reaction to simplicity. Always resisting a straightforward explanation, it encompasses a wide range of practices from graphic design to philosophy, and everything in-between. For the V&A exhibition we wanted to reflect on this extensive variety without directly pastiching previous works. Utilising supergraphic reproductions as towering billboards on the walls. Neon lighting evocative of the reoccurring vision architects held for future city landscapes. And a labeling system held in place with patterned elastic bands of Memphis reproductions placed on top of bright coloured perspex, which varied between each of the 3 rooms.

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Postmodernism, Style & Subversion 1970–1990 Publication

Accompanying the exhibition, we also designed the catalogue of essays and works. This built further upon ideas we used in the exhibition of patterning and vibrant colours. Using the three variations of reproduced Memphis patterns as section breakers, and the abstract forms of the cover, that appear alongside the striking image of Grace Jones. The page layouts inside use the same typefaces as the show, Fairplex by Emigré for the body text, and Compacta for titles. Set as a two column grid, which allowed images to sit at a range of sizes to show images product detailing and contextual photography.

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Fear & Fashion In The Cold War

Publication

To coincide with the Cold War Modern exhibition at the V&A, we were asked to design a book focusing on the fashion during that era. We were fascinated by the language used for public service announcements from both ‘East’ and ‘West’ throughout that time, which informed our choice of typefaces. The heavier slab serif was an evolution of the ’70s–’80s headline typeface on the Russian publication, Pravda (which started in 1912 in Vienna), and during the Cold War, was well-known in the West for its pronouncements as the official voice of Soviet Communism. The amazing content for the Fear and Fashion book was researched by Jane Pavitt, one of the curators of the exhibition.

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Scarlet Projects Village Fête

Printed Material

Each year, Scarlet Projects ask a selection of designers and architects to design a ‘stall’ in the museums garden. Our designs for the 2005 Village Fête evolved from talking about our childhood of traditional village fêtes in the English countryside. Often they held competitions such as ‘most freakish vegetable’ or ‘prize winning fruits’. We created a freak fruit/vegetable to represent every design studio and used these to make up a poster of stall-holders. Accompanying the poster was a ‘Judge’s Guide’ for visitors to take around the stalls making notes and judging the work for themselves.

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