I guess the work that sums up what I do the most is the Chromatologies identity and fold-out poster I designed in 2010. I'm still really happy with how that project turned out. The design solution is typographically-led, making a clear, but oblique reference to the study of colour. Key to the poster's success in my opinion is also the use of materials. I sourced a stock called Chromalux from Fedrigoni which is gloss coated on one side and uncoated on the other. The gloss reproduces the bright colours really well and all the information relating to the festival is printed in black and white on the reverse.
- When studying/ starting your career in design, who were you influenced by?
I studied in the 80s and to be honest I didn't really know of any other
designers apart from Peter Saville — through records I'd bought on
Factory. Later in the late 90s I was really influenced by the work of
The Designer's Republic quite a bit.
- Is it the same people you're influenced by now or have you found new influences? if so who are these new influences?
No I'm really not influenced by those designers any more. I think my
taste got more mature after this and I was drawn especially to Dutch
designers like Karel Martens. I really admire the work that comes out of
Werkplaats Typografie, it seems consistently free and engaging. There
are so many designers who I like right now, James Langdon is an
inspiration, also the font designer Radim Pesko.
- Of the projects you've done, Which do you think was your favourite or
most effectively answered the brief? and most importantly, why?
Hmm same answer as 1. I guess. It uses the concept of chromatology in
not such a direct way, I mean without forcing or illustrating the idea
too much. Chromatology is the study of colour. I decided that filling
all the text with a continuous colour gradient was a really nice way of
answering the brief.
- What is your view of the phrase Form Follows Function? do you think it is relevant in design today or outdated, and why?
It ought to be relevant I think. Our role as designers is to communicate
ideas using a mixture of type, graphics, images, materials and of
course form. All of these are equally important to communicating the
message. I like a lot of contemporary design, especially this aesthetic
which I describe as 'amateur'. It's actually quite difficult to achieve
in principle, to be free enough and make something look amateur but also
well designed. Some designers are better that others. But I worry that
pretty soon it will look outdated. Most of the design I really admire is
perhaps a little boring, but it will probably stand the test of time
and will still look fresh in the future.
- Finally, what are your influences outside of design that you think have an effect on your practice?
I have interests in art and music. I have an art practice and I read a
lot about art. I listen to a lot of electronic music and am interested
in the history of electronic music and also current experimental
practices. I am generally drawn to experimental media be it film,
literature, art or music. I like things that push and test boundaries.
My favourite book is Finnegans Wake by James Joyce — probably the most
difficult book ever written. I come across things like that and I am
intrigued by it, I want to figure it out, to experience something
totally original and new.I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Joe
Some awesome and really detailed responses to the questions I sent out to Joe via e-mail, following up the mail out that I sent to him previously. Proving to be a really effective technique for getting their attention!
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