You don’t do design; you live design...

D&AD Lecture: Erik Spiekermann

Went along to the D&AD lecture at the Institute of Education last night to hear Erik Spiekermann give a talk. Entitled ‘You don’t do design; you live design’ it was an eclectic romp through his career as designer/typographer/all-round good guy from early days with a letterpress at a railway arch (a sad story lies there) to world renowned type honcho via the Dambuster’s Music, Spinal Tap (..Type!) and a pretty good affected Lancashire accent.

I saw him speak when I was 18 at the Icograda conference at Marble Arch Odeon in 1991 and he was an inspiration. I don’t think I could have become ‘the biggest-font-monkey-in-geekdom’ without some influence from him. It’s really refreshing to hear a real information designer talk in this world of faddy low-quality design.

I persuaded Jo to come along because I had a good-feeling it would fun for everyone not just the clan, and I don’t think he disappointed—being as eloquent, enthusiastic and witty as I remembered him 14 years ago. Jo said after that I’m a lot like him which I’ll take as a compliment. He is a hero of mine (if I was pushed to cite one), and I suppose we have similar standards and passions.
Below are a couple of links to his blog and new agency plus of course one to FontShop—the remarkably ‘looking as good as it did when it started on the web 12 years ago’ online erm font-shop...

Erik’s Blog
Erik’s Agency - UnitedDesigners
FontShop

Tags:Erik SpiekermannTypography