Alex Bec Interview

I emailed Alex Bec who is one of the founding members of It's Nice That some questions for my design context publication, here are his responses.

1. When you embark on a new brief to what extent does the production method inform the ideas you come up with?

The idea is always put first, and then the relevant tools are chosen to make it happen.


2. With the way graphic communication, advertising and promotion is becoming increasingly digitised why do you think a physical, printed products still hold such a fasination for designers?

Because we are still human beings with real senses.

3. To what extent do you think expertiemental and premium finishing techniques are relevant to non designers? Do you think the average man in the street will notice or care about your beautiful die-cut, spot varnished book cover for example?

Perhaps, if used well. The key is that the audience's needs are kept in mind, regardless of process.


4. Where do you see the future of graphic communication in 20 years, how much printed collateral do you think we will still need?

I think we'll always need some printed collateral, but there's no way there will be as much as there is today. The things that still need to be printed, will most certainly be printed.

5. Where you involved in design pre the introduction of the apple mac?

Nope


6. If you were what impact on your personal practice did the introduction of desk top publishing have? If not how has the role of the computer changed while you have been a designer?

7. In our current climate where, typographically, it is possible to do pretty much anything with a laptop and a digital printer, why do you think designers are still so interested in real physical graphics like paper cuts, models and the use of photography and manual production techniques like screen printing and letterpress?

Because I absolutely disagree that you can 'do anything with a laptop and digitla printer' in typography. As I said before, we will always remain human beings.