David Pearson Email

I just emailed David Pearson to ask him a few questions for my design context pubication. He is a very talented and creative typographer and his work draws heavily on historical styles. I think this makes him perfect to interview for the final section in the book, which considers why modern graphic designers are still so interested in pre digital and lofi design.

Hi David

My names Angus MacPherson and in my 3rd year studying graphic design at Leeds College of Art. For my final major project I am producing a publication entitled 'Typography: Process and Product' looking at how developments in technology have influenced design over the last century. The final section of the book looks at design in the 21st century or post digital design and reasons why even though it is possible to do practically anything with a computer, designers still put a huge amount of energy into using manual design and production techniques and are influenced and inspired by design from a non digital age.

I am a massive fan of your work and I think your clearly huge understanding of type and also the way you use and reinterpret classic and historical uses of typography would make you perspective very interesting. It would be brilliant if you could answer a few quick questions for me.

Many thanks
Angus MacPherson
www.angus-macpherson.co.uk

1. The covers you have done for Whites books are obviously inspired by vintage books. What motivates you to draw inspiration from historical and vintage design?

2. My book is in a large part going to look at production and finish techniques and how they relate to the way a designer works. Much of your work is very simply produced and it is the concept and visual quality that that is the primary focus. Why do you personally not choose to utilize premium and bespoke production techniques like, spot varnishing, die cutting or foiling etc.

3. Do you think experimental 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?

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

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

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?

Big thanks for your time