BLAB #10 – PETER SAVILLE & VAUGHN OLIVER

My first Blab night, 2 design legends and a free drink to boot. Blab was an eye-opening and inspirational night.

Not knowing much about either Saville or Oliver, I went into the talk not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by the honesty of both. The talks were essentially about two Manchester born lads talking about how their work developed alongside the developing creative industry throughout their careers so far – with Peter Saville taking part in a Q&A from Matt Booth (Organiser of Blab) and Vaughn Oliver taking us through the last 30 years of his work (in an impressive 150+ slide presentation!)

Peter Saville answered questions submitted by those attending Blab #10, which spanned the length of is his career from starting out with Malcolm and finding Graphic Design to his work now. Essentially Saville explained how he was attempting to avoid finding a job, and by discovering graphic design and doing work that he enjoys he did so.

There was one thing that he mentioned within his talk that really struck a chord with me was that…

“It’s very important to keep something in your work that you relate to.”

Vaughn Oliver on the other hand simply overloaded our minds with 30 years in 60 minutes, which detailed his love for record sleeves and how he feels lucky and inspired to be working with music that he enjoys. Oliver ensure to put everything into the design of a record sleeve from front, back to the insides – designing sleeves was a collaboration with the music.

Vaughn even had a little advice to share for all of the students present…

“Avoid following trends and find your own voice.”

“Good to take an idea in with you on a portfolio visit.”

Both Saville and Oliver definitely inspired everyone their that night, including myself, and I feel lucky to have had the chance to see them talk in such an informal manner.