A book celebrating 18 years of curating and commissioning art.
Following a lot of consideration, I've decided to close Studio Makgill.
During the past 15 years, we have worked with so many wonderfully talented and creative individuals and designed for some incredible brands. Hand on heart, I couldn't be more proud of what we've achieved together on this journey.
This decision is deeply connected to the state of the world right now. Whilst our industry is seemingly coming around to its role in aggravating and sustaining the social, environmental and economic crises we face, it's acting too slowly. Currently, to thrive as an agency without causing harm (let alone do good) is too difficult.
I want to be involved in the challenges we face as we urgently find ways towards mutuality, equity and ecological flourishing. However, I no longer feel that an agency is the right vehicle for this.
This isn't the moment to discuss where this decision is taking me (though, feel free to reach out if you want to ask me or share your views on what I'm doing). This is the moment to say thank you. Thank you for choosing to work with us – either as part of the team or as a client. Thank you for being interested in us and hopefully taking some inspiration from the work we created. Just a beautiful and simple… thank you.
Love
My deepest gratitude goes out to these incredibly talented souls who joined me on this journey: Ollie, Alvaro, Myles, Gary, Charlie, Roxy, Gus, Alexis, Laura, Charlotte, Dixie, Rebecca, Nathan, Oli, David, Wai, Miles, Alberto, Stephen, Alison, Gareth, Ryan, Charlie, Harry, Guy, Peter, James, James, Dave, Josh, Gareth, Paul, Roy, Lutz, Tudinh, Anthony & Edd, Martin, Lawrence, Luke, Arran, Rich, Will & Alex, Paul & Russ, Tom, Ed, Carrina, Oscar, Isla and everyone else who I have failed to mention.
A book celebrating 18 years of curating and commissioning art.
Working closely with Fabrica, we helped organise volumes of content from the last seven years into a compelling and rich account of their ongoing journey.
Our design borrows heavily from the physical space and its heritage. Marble and stone are replaced with oil printing and construction board. An incredibly light dust jacket, made from paper most commonly found in bibles, provides a delicate finishing touch.
Written in two languages and featuring 98 plates, designing Seven Years of Fabrica was an exercise in reduction and simplification.