E-mail to Mind Design

Mind design is one of my favouite design studios out there at the moment. There work is incredibly creative and beautiful and they also do some large scale jobs where their work is applied across a hugs range of media. I think their perspective would be really interesting for my design context book.

Hi Holga

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 sectioon 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.

I really admire your work and I think the way that you utilise such a wide range of production techniques and the way you are so amazingly creative with type would make you perspective really interesting, I would be very greatful you you could answer a few quick questions.

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

1. The identity you designed for Circus is employed across a mind blowing range of media. When you embark on a project like this in what ways does the production method inform the ideas you come up with?

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?

3. To what extent do you think bespoke 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 foil blocked menu 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?

Very big thanks for your time