Autumn 2023
Graphic friction
The Graphic Language of Neville Brody/3
Texts by Adrian Shaughnessy, Neville Brody, Steven Heller, Jo-Ann Furniss, Naomi Hirabayashi. Editors: Shaughnessy and Brody. Design: Brody Associates. Thames & Hudson, £50
For the late 1980s / early 90s graphic designer, the two volumes of The Graphic Language of Neville Brody were must-have items on the studio bookshelf, key reference points in establishing your creative credentials. That the books became such symbols, when Brody and collaborator Jon Wozencroft had set a far more intellectual agenda in the texts that accompanied the visuals, echoed the way Brody’s intelligent designs for The Face magazine had quickly become an easy addition to a thousand yuppie mood boards.
The original designs and their instant re-presentation in book form worked at these multiple levels, propelling Brody forward as the poster boy for graphic design. Volume one accompanied a large exhibition at the V&A Museum in 1988; he appeared on the cover of Blueprint the same year. Had any graphic designer ever received such attention? …
Cover sets the bold tone of The Graphic Language of Neville Brody / 3.
Top. The spread collages posters for the Anti Design Festival. The design expresses the emotion of the event itself rather than show a series of its posters.
Jeremy Leslie, editorial designer, writer, curator, magCulture, London
Read the full version in Eye no. 105 vol. 27, 2023
Eye is the world’s most beautiful and collectable graphic design journal, published for professional designers, students and anyone interested in critical, informed writing about graphic design and visual culture. It is available from all good design bookshops and online at the Eye shop, where you can buy subscriptions and single issues.