Top Ten Graphic Designers

Make your own top ten list of practitioners in your field and consider what it is about their practice that you value.


Wasted Rita, an artist/designer with a focus on type. Her work has a certain nihilism surrounding it which I think works well with her simple, slightly messy design. I value the unapologetic nature of her work as well as it's feeling of imperfection. 

Roys Room, an independent publisher, I really like the overall style of their publications; publication's that include experimental typefaces, hand drawn images as well as mixed media, and that have a narrative behind them.

Buffalo Magazine (Adrián González-Cohen/David Uzquiza) My favourite publication, I value Buffalo's originality. All editions differ greatly yet remain consistently high quality and retain a slightly strange, "off-brand" feel.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist, not designer, however a very forward thinking and bold creator. I

I value Basquiat's use of colour and strong lines, something I want to experiment more with myself. 

James Victore combines images and words very easily, an ability of which I admire. I especially like the loose, laid-back feel of his work. Nothing feels forced or unnatural; it all seems very effortless.

Mushpit Magazine have a very satiical approach to editorial, much like Buffalo Magazine, mimicking old-school advertising and women's lifestyle quizzes, and replacing the subject with politics or world news. I rate highly this fresh take on print media.

Georgia Hill is an artist specialising in large scale type pieces. Her work is clearly very well thought out however I particularly enjoy the quality of spontaneity it has about it. It isn't too precious, which I like.

Seb Brown, although a jewellery designer/maker and not a graphic designer I really enjoy the simplicity of Brown's work. His refined style is something I often find myself trying to mirror in my own work, and is an attribute that can be found within any creative practice.

Matt Lambert, again not specifically a designer, but a photographer and film-maker. I value Lambert's ability to create an aesthetic and convey it so well to the audience. It is clear to see the idea's behind his work and the concepts he is trying to put across. 

Jamie Reid, "artist and anarchist." I really like Reid's use of collage and his ability to convey an emotion or political standpoint through design. I also value the irony of him capitalising on an anti-capitalist movement.