We were at Logan Hall to hear from Vince Frost, at the latest in the D&AD President’s Lecture series.
Vince Frost, D&AD President’s Lecture
Vince Frost is an enigmatic giant in the design world. Simultaneously pragmatic and precious, his various studios have produced stunning work. But it always seems to be Vince, himself that is behind their most outstanding work.
He has a unique aesthetic brilliance that we can all admire; I still treasure covers from the Saturday Independent Magazine, from the late ’80s when he was art-director.
This lecture, part of the D&AD President’s Lecture series, was a rare chance to see the great man, in London. He’d moved to Australia, years before in a very public split from his UK past.
You can read about that in a Design Week profile from 2006.
It was no coincidence that a new photographic monogram had just been published: ‘Sorry Trees’ is a huge catalogue of beautiful design. Vince is a very good self-publicist.
Vince Frost had flown in from Sydney on the day. He told the story of his original move down-under (head-hunted into a team that wasn’t expecting him and didn’t want him) and his subsequent set up of Frost* Design Sydney.
His studio of more than 30 people has transformed the cultural landscape in the city and cemented his reputation as one of the most influential designers of our lifetime.
But this was an odd evening. For a room of hundreds of people (who’s all paid to be there) he was woefully under prepared, jetlagged, and came across as a little arrogant and occasionally incoherent.
His work is inspirational but we were disappointed by his lecture, or maybe we’re all just professionally jealous.
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