Peter Dawson’s Post

'You may not know the name Kenneth Grange, but you'll almost certainly know his work. He has designed just about everything'  The Guardian 'He's the classically styled godfather of British modernism' Wallpaper* 'Sir Kenneth Grange is a hero of British design' Sir Jonathan Ive We’ve been very blessed over the last few years to have worked very closely with the renowned design pioneer Sir Kenneth Grange, along with the team at Thames & Hudson, to produce what can only be described as the definitive celebration of the most revered, innovative and influential industrial designers of the modern age. Written by Lucy Johnston and with a Foreword by Sir Jonathan Ive, the book explores his early life and career through to his co-founding of the legendary Pentagram design agency (being one of the famous five) to setting up his own much celebrated practice and the clients and broad range of work he undertook that followed. For decades, Grange's iconic products – including the InterCity 125 train for British Rail, the TX1 London black taxi, domestic appliances for Kenwood, lighting for Anglepoise, cameras for Kodak, pens for Parker, shavers for Wilkinson Sword, the list goes on and on – had his work at the centre of British life and helped Britain's post-war reputation as an influential hub of design excellence. Its been an absolute honour and joy collaborating and working with with Sir Kenneth and this book has been a project of great pride for us in the studio. A must for anyone interested in design, the creative process, the positive impact design can have on both society and business, and of course the extraordinary life of Sir Kenneth Grange. Kenneth Grange: Designing the Modern World by Lucy Johnston (Thames & Hudson) is officially published 21st March 2024. With over 500 illustrations, 320pp #kennethgrange #kennethgrangedesigningthemodernworld #designhero #britishdesign #productdesign #design #books #bookdesign #bookcover #illustratedbooks #graphicdesign #publishing #bestofbritish

As we wrap up 2023 and prepare for the break, just a small note to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful clients, associates and friends who have made this year so very special. We have worked on such a diverse range of publishing and display projects, which has been incredibly rewarding. These projects are always a big team effort to get them over the finishing line and it’s a blessing to work with so many talented and inspiring individuals. Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year from Grade Design. To close, a couple of sneak previews of books to come in early 2024 and selected highlights from the past year. #book #books #bookdesign #bookcover #cover #illustratedbooks #design #graphicdesign #publishing 

Just launched, this sumptuous book tells the legendary story of Copacabana Palace Hotel, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, from its extraordinary beginnings to the contemporary and stylish destination that it is today. The hotel celebrates 100 years this year and the book explores the stories behind the iconic Copacabana Palace; its cinematic views, star-studded guests, legendary parties and carnival chic. Published by Vendome Press the book was produced in English and Portuguese. Written by respected travel writer Francisca Mattéoli and with principal photography by fine art photographer Tuca Reinés. Design by Grade. 'There are only so many hotels that can say they’ve been around for 100 years, and even fewer that feel like truly iconic, synonymous parts of the destinations they inhabit… The pages of this book are a beautiful summary of the last century, revealing the hotel’s cinematic views, timeless design, and larger-than-life guests.' — Condé Nast Traveler #book #books #bookdesign #bookcover #cover #illustratedbooks #design #graphicdesign #publishing #interiors #interiordesign #rio #copacabanapalace #copacabanapalacehotel #brazil #hotel #luxury #photography #glamour #lifestyle #tucareines #vendomepress #franciscamatteoli #belmond #gradedesign

Delighted to share that the exhibition ’In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s’ held at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid (29 November 2022–2 May 2023) has been voted Exhibition of the Year by the prestigious international art journal @apollomagazine from a shortlist of art shows from around the world. Grade were delighted to have designed and oversee the production of the accompanying exhibition catalogue for this touring show which will come to the UK next year. Many congratulations to @franticbornemisza, Konstantin Akinsha, @namu.museum@museothyssen @kdenysova, Olena Kashuba-Volvach and so many others in pulling the exhibition and the book together in the most challenging of circumstances. The catalogue of this incredible show is published by @thamesandhudson #ukraine #modernisminukraine #intheeyeofthestorm #intheeyeofthestormmodernisminukraine #artshow #art #modernart #exhibition #catalogue #cataloguedesign #graphicdesign #bookdesign #publishing #standwithukraine #apollomagazine #apolloawards2023

I’m happy to share that since July, I’ve been working in an additional role as a Consultant Art Director to the Museum Publishing department at Thames & Hudson, which runs until February next year. I have been contributing to T&H's museum publishing programme for esteemed institutions such as The British Museum, M+ in Hong Kong and the V&A as well as working on commissioned titles.

Excited to share our most recently completed title being published by Vendome Press in October and the second book working with leading interior design photographer Simon Upton. London Living, explores an incredible range of homes in our capita city and reveals the private spaces of creatives and influencers across the capital. Presented in two parts, the book begins with “Town,” which is devoted to the homes of those who live solely in London, such as grandee of interior design John Stefanidis; House & Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year 2019, Maria Speake; industrial designer and architect Tom Bartlett; fashion designer Bella Freud; model Poppy Delevingne; and antiques dealer and interior designer Adam Bray. Then, “Country” showcases those who divide their time between London and a retreat in the British countryside, which includes names such as antiques dealers Jorge Perez–Martin and David Gibson, known as Brownrigg; film director Gaby Dellal; and designer Jasper Conran. With a foreword by iconic decorator and Upton’s friend Nicky Haslam and edited by Karen Howes, London Living reveals a series of unique locations, each illuminated by an interview in which the owner defines their true meaning of “home.” #book #books #bookdesign #bookcover #cover #illustratedbooks #design #graphicdesign #publishing #interiors #interiordesign #london #londoninteriors #photography #glamour #lifestyle #simonupton #vendomepress 

We are delighted to present our latest book for the Stavanger Art Museum, ‘Jan Groth: Førlop og volum (Course and Volume)’, about the renowned Norwegian visual artist Jan Groth (1938–2022). What was originally conceived as an exhibition catalogue to accompany the show, the project took on a greater meaning for all involved when Jan very sadly passed away in the early stages of the project. Thus the book became a reflection and celebration of his life, as well as detailing and outlining the contents of his work in the show. Our use of a landscape format best suited his epic woven works and with a wealth of archive material going back over fifty years, the archive material was treated with a duotone process providing a consistency of presentation across the whole book and a contrast with the exhibition photography which was adjusted to be clean and neutral to present not only the gallery environment accurately, but Jan’s monochromatic works. It was a real privilege and pleasure to work on this project, and even though we never got to meet Jan, we felt that his guiding presence was there throughout. Special thanks must go to Senior Curator at the museum, Vibece Salthe, who edited and co-authored the book. The book is in both Norwegian and English and Grade oversaw all aspects of its production from concept through to repro, and final printing. The book is now available exclusively through the gallery and can be ordered online through their website. Client: Stavanger kunstmuseum, MUST Format: Paperback with flaps
 Extent: 128 pp Size: 210 x 300 mm Illustrations: 75 Exhibition photography by Sæter Jørgensen Contemporary @saeterjoergensen #jangroth #stavangerartmuseum #stavangerkunstmuseum #exhibition #art #artexhibition #exhibitiongraphics #artshow #norway #graphicdesign #design #display #poster #cataloguedesign #exhibitiondesign #bookdesign #book #books #bookcover #publishing

It was great to be working again with Jessica Harrison-Hall (Head of the China Section at the British Museum) and her colleague Julia Lovell (Professor of Chinese History and Literature at Birkbeck, University of London) who together, edited 'Creators of Modern China: 100 Lives from Empire to Republic 1796–1912. A detailed study of 100 men and women whose activities in the 19th century laid the foundations of modern China. Written by an international team of specialists, this book populates the landscapes of modern Chinese history with extraordinary individuals, making sense of the drama and creativity of the country’s ‘long 19th century’. Grade were delighted to have designed and laid out this ground-breaking tome. Grade were tasked with bringing the 100 biographies together in an accessible and contemporary manner. Client: Thames & Hudson in conjunction with the British Museum Format: Hardcover with jacket Extent: 368 pp Size: 240 x 170 mm Illustrations: 150+ #book #books #bookdesign #bookcover #cover #illustratedbooks #design #graphicdesign #publishing #china #modernchina #britishmuseum #history #jessicaharrisonhall #julialovell

Just published, comes our latest title for Vendome Press, ‘Haute Bohemian Greece’. A glorious, intimate homage to this magical country from bestselling photographer and writer Miguel Flores-Vianna. This fully illustrated volume chronicles Miguel’s photographic odyssey through the beautiful Greek landscape, showcasing historical houses alongside contemporary homes, united by the colourful characters who either live or have lived in these places—the “haute bohemians”. Miguel Flores-Vianna’s trademark intimate, atmospheric photography accompanied with his engaging texts provide the reader with a glorious insight into these incredible private homes and locations. We had a wonderful time working closely with Miguel and the Vendome team to tell the visual stories through his work. Client: Vendome Press Format: Hardcover with jacket Extent: 368 pp Size: 254 x 330 mm Illustrations: 220 #book #books #bookdesign #bookcover #cover #illustratedbooks #design #graphicdesign #publishing #pattern #interiors #interiordesign #greece #greek #hautebohemians #hautebohemiansgreece #greecestyle #photography #fashion #textiledesign #glamour #vendomepress #lifestyle #miguelfloresvianna

It was very nice to be invited back to provide creative for the new ‘The Flavour Thesaurus: More Flavours’ book, just over 10 years from the huge success of the original book we designed. Grade provided a host of cover concepts and direction and established the interior typographic design. #theflavourthesaurus #theflavourthesaurusnewflavours #cookbook #food #cover #coverdesign #book #bookcover #bookdesign #thesaurus #recipes #recipebook #ingredients #flavours #nikisegnit