From the under–celebrated to the elevated.
A new identity and home for Ravensbourne University’s Post Graduate courses.
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.
From the under–celebrated to the elevated.
A new identity and home for Ravensbourne University’s Post Graduate courses.
Using the building as a starting point, all aspects of the visual language are based on a strict grid. At the core of the identity is a new monospaced version of the Ravensbourne brand typeface – allowing for grids within the typography.
The ethos behind The Institute is one of experimentation and collaboration. So we felt it was essential to design a feeling of restlessness into the identity. The typeface randomly swaps regular letters with ‘digital glitch’ ones as you type.
The identity is supported by a graphic language that amplifies the grid even further.
Working with Systemantics, we have created a machine learning tool that automatically generates unique grids and image compositions from an internal library. The user teaches the software which designs it prefers, and in turn, the software begins to adopt the user’s style – a beautifully simple expression of creativity meeting technology.
We started this project at the start of 2020 – just before the country went into lockdown. For most of it, all the creative partners were working simultaneously with constant collaboration between each other. The project is a testament to the collective intelligence of the group and the creative vision of Lawrence Zeegen who led the project for Ravensbourne.
Lawrence Zeegen / Ravensbourne Universtity / Barozzi Veiga / Brinkwork / Something More Near / Systemantics / Studio Makgill
Photography: GG Archard