Our Guide to the London Design Festival 2014

posted by Anna Chayasatit September 8, 2014

The London Design Festival is back with over 300 design exhibitions and events taking place across London. This annual festival kicks off on Saturday 13 September and here we have selected our top talks and events for you to see and participate during this 9-day festival. Our guide includes many different but equally thought-provoking, mostly print-based, events that will debate the role and practice of today’s designers, art practitioners, publishers, and printmakers.

In chronological order:

Saturday 13 September 2014

A2/3d: A 3D Printed Letter Font
12 pm at the V&A
Get ready for the film screening at the Sackler Centre at the V&A. This film will explain the connection between the newest and oldest forms of printing, from a traditional letterpress print studio to the design of a new typeface and 3D-print technology. It promises to be very useful for young breed of designers as an introduction to the key part of the creative process.
Screening Time: 12.00 – 12.30; 14.30 – 15.00; 16.00 – 16.30; 17.00 – 17.30.
Free, drop in

Alan Kitching and Monotype Design Week
2-3.30 pm at the V&A
Next up is the talk by one of the world’s most creative practitioners of letterpress and typographic design, Alan Kitching. He will present work as we have known it for more than half a century along with an insightful look at his recent collaboration with Monotype.
Free, drop in

Paula Scher in conversation with Adrian Shaughnessy
4 pm at the V&A
Legendary graphic designer and New York-based partner of Pentagram Paula Scher will be interviewed by Adrian Shaughnessy about her design career and work. This event will certainly prove one of the best talks and of course there is no better way to start the festival than a talk hosted by the world’s leading thinkers and practitioners.
Tickets available here!

Animaux Circus ‘Dinner and Dreams’
13-14 September 2014 at the V&A
Animaux Circus will host a series of workshops and dinner parties in association with The Concept Lounge at the V&A. This event is free of charge and welcomes everyone who wants to get their hands on a large-scale mural wall in the museum.

Unit D
86 D Greenfield Rd London E1 1EJ
Mon – Fri: 11am – 4pm / Sat – Sun: 12pm – 4pm
Our very own Saskia Pomeroy will also be celebrating the festival along with many other local craft artists, designers and foodies at Unit D – a pop-up shop and restaurant showcasing a wide array of homeware products. Not only will you have access to an exclusive range of designs which include textiles and ceramics, you can also indulge yourself with great food produced using local ingredients.
To view menu and book event, please visit: http://unit-d.co.uk/

Sunday 14 September 2014

David Pearson and Jim Stoddart on Designing for Penguin
10.30 am – 11.30 am at the V&A
Love Penguin book covers? Designer David Pearson together with Penguin Books art director Jim Stoddart Jim Stoddart will host a discussion about their book cover design projects and collaboration over the past ten years.
Free, drop in

Irma Boom brought to you by D&AD
12 pm at the V&A
Internationally acclaimed bookmaker and editorial designer Irma Boom will talk about her design and creation of more than 250 books – 50 of which are now part of the collection of MoMA in New York. As the debate continues about the rise of digital publishing and the future of print, Boom will highlight the importance bookmaking and why she still loves to design books.
Get your ticket here!

Thursday 18 September 2014

Five Lives in Posters: A Panel Discussion
4-6 pm at London College of Communication
Another exciting event that comprises the most forward-looking design experts in the creative industry. John L Walters (Chair), Alan Kitching, Tony Brook, Naomi Games, Jessica Helfand, Dan Mather and Lars Muller will be discussing about the legacy and centenary of five legends of poster design: Abram Games, Tom Eckersley, FHK Henrion, Josef Muller-Brockmann and Paul Rand.
Get your ticket now – they are free! Click here!

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Printout – The Photography Special
The Book Club, Shoreditch
Along with many developments in digital photography has been the development of images used in modern magazines nowadays. Photography always plays a crucial role in magazine design and this month’s Printout will be all about photography and how it can be used on either print or screen.
More information: http://www.stackmagazines.com/update/printout-photography-special/

And to see a broader range of talks, discussions, events and activities and what this annual festival has to offer, please visit: http://www.londondesignfestival.com/