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| '''23 Envelope''' was the name of the graphic design |
'''23 Envelope''' was the name of the graphic design partnership of ] and ] from 1983-1988. | ||
| A quote from a 2000 article on Grierson by ] explains some of the early history of Oliver and Grierson: | A quote from a 2000 article on Grierson by ] explains some of the early history of Oliver and Grierson: | ||
Revision as of 22:17, 23 September 2007
23 Envelope was the name of the graphic design partnership of Vaughan Oliver and Nigel Grierson from 1983-1988.
A quote from a 2000 article on Grierson by Rick Poynor explains some of the early history of Oliver and Grierson:
Oliver and Grierson met in their late teens, as school boys, at Ferryhill Comprehensive, County Durham. Their friendship began in the art room, chatting about their mutual passions for art and rock music. For both of them, designing album covers — the medium was then still a twelve-inch mini-canvas — was a natural ambition. "Record sleeves," says Grierson, "seemed like the greatest thing you could possibly do." In 1976, Oliver began a graphic design degree at Newcastle Polytechnic and, a year later, at Oliver's suggestion — as Grierson recalls it — his friend decided to join him. Both came under the spell of Terry Dowling, a Royal College of Art illustration graduate, who ran the second-year design course. They still speak of him as their mentor.
As 23 Envelope, Oliver primarily art directed and designed, while Grierson primarily photographed (occasionally, however, duties would be exchanged and/or overlap). And together, the pair created virtually all of the distinctive graphics and packaging for the music label 4AD. With Grierson's departure in 1988, Oliver saw fit to retire the 23 Envelope moniker, and continue working under the name v23 with new partner Chris Bigg, and various design associates that would come to include Paul McMenamin, Timothy O'Donnell, Martin Andersen and others.
Vaughan Oliver, 23 Envelope and v23 gave distinct visual identities for the 4AD releases by many bands including Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, Pale Saints, Pixies, and Throwing Muses.
Publications featuring the work of 23 Envelope
The work of 23 Envelope has been well-published in books and design magazines especially under Vaughan Oliver's name.
- Emigre, No. 9, edited by Rudy Vanderlans, 1988.
- Eye, No. 10, Vol. 3, edited by Rick Poynor, Wordsearch Ltd, 1993.
- Eye, No. 37, Vol. 10, edited by John L. Walters, Quantum Publishing, 2000.
- This Rimy River: Vaughn Oliver and Graphic Works 1988-94, by Vaughan Oliver and Vulva O'Reighan. (ISBN 978-0952421603)
- Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasure, by Rick Poynor, 2000. (ISBN 978-1861540720)
Notes
- Eye, Number 37, Volume 10, Autumn 2000.
- 4AD-L FAQ: Artwork and Design