Happy International Design Day!

International Design Day is celebrated on the 27th April every year. Celebrated since 1995, International Design Day is an opportunity to recognise the values of design (1) The theme for 2022 is Suspended in Transition. "The old ways are no longer fit for purpose but the new ways have yet to be created. We find ourselves in this in-between, “liminal” space. It feels urgent to act…" (1) The Spi-des-ign Team - Some of our favourite Designers and why? PAUL - I can't choose one designer who I would say is my favourite as there are too many out there, all with different qualities. The ones that I would say are iconic are; Saul Bass, Milton Glazer, Ray Gunn, David Carson and Neville Brody. I will just talk about a couple of them briefly below. Saul Bass was an American graphic designer and filmmaker (oscar-winning) Bass was born 8th May 1920 and died in 1996, between those years he created a new art form with his imaginative film title sequences. He was best known for his design of film posters and title sequences. One of the film posters which you may have seen is the 'Man with the Golden Arm' or the film title sequence 'Goodfellas'. Milton Glazer was an American graphic designer, born in 1929 and died in 2020. Glazer's work is completely iconic, you would have seen a piece of Glazer's work somewhere. One that you will have most definitely seen is the 'I love New York' logo. SAM - There are too many designers out there to choose just one. I would say that Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh would be up there with the top few in my eyes. Stefan Sagmeister is an Australian designer who is well known for his album covers, posters, and unique books. If you are familiar with the Rolling Stones then you most probably have seen Sagmeister's work, he created the Bridges to Babylon album cover. Jessica Walsh is also another great designer. She is an American designer, illustrator and educator. Walsh is well known for her use of bright, bold colours and her use of typography in her work. Fun Fact - Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh used to have a design agency together - Sagmeister & Walsh. Jessica decided to leave the agency to create her own - & Walsh she is one of the few women founders in the design industry today. (Good on her!!) What made you get into design? SAM - Since being very little I have always LOVED art. In middle school art was probably one of my favourite lessons, which lead me to take it for one of my GCSEs in upper. Whilst in upper I was told by my Geography teacher that I should look into doing Graphic Design, as he believed I may be interested in it. From there I went on to take it as one of my subjects at A-Level and then as my degree at the University of Lincoln, where I graduated in 2020 (well actually September 2021, thanks to Covid!) Design can be very difficult at times, but I wouldn't change the career I'm into anything else. I love how every day is different and every design is different. That's what makes it so great! What is the importance of design? To design is much more than simply to assemble, order, or even edit; it is to add value and meaning, illuminate, simplify, clarify, modify, dignify, dramatise, persuade, and perhaps even amuse. — Paul Rand, Author, Graphic Designer, Teacher Design is one of the most important things when it comes to branding/identity. If you just neglect design it may result in an unsuccessful business. Design will help set you apart from everyone else. Design is not about making things pretty for the sake of it. "Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose.” ― Charles Eames, American designer, architect, and filmmaker

For more information on Happy International Design Day! talk to Spi-des-ign Web and Graphic Solutions Ltd