BBC Radio 4 streams doc about new wave graphic legend Barney Bubbles
BBC Radio 4's website is currently streaming In Search Of Barney Bubbles, a 30-minute radio documentary about the legendary British graphic designer of the psychedelic and new wave eras, who committed suicide in 1983.
Born Colin Fulcher, Bubbles began his career in advertising -- his logo for the popular UK cider Strongbow is still in use today -- before dropping out when the hippie scene hit London. He first became known for his gleefully bizarre work for space-rock icons Hawkwind, but it was in the new wave era that he did his best work.
Working closely with the iconic Stiff Records label, Bubbles became known for tongue-in-cheek deliberate "mistakes" -- printing photos out of register, putting pictures of the wrong band on sleeves -- and for elaborate concepts like the sleeve for Ian Dury's Do It Yourself, each copy of which came clad in one of 28 different wallpaper samples. He's probably best remembered for his work with Elvis Costello, including the iconic sleeve for 1978's This Year's Model.
| Barney Bubbles, "Armed Forces" | |
|---|---|
-
Culture Profile
Barney Bubbles Idiosyncratic But Brilliant Graphic Designer
By Stewart MasonLondon ad man turns lysergic light-show hippie, then becomes the… >>
-
Culture Profile
Malcolm Garrett New Wave Album Cover Designer
By Stewart MasonDesigned era-defining graphics for new wave and new romantic acts… >>
-
Culture Profile
Hipgnosis The Look Of 1970s Prog
By Stewart MasonMore than any other design company, Hipgnosis was responsible for… >>
-
Culture Profile
Peter Saville Iconic Graphic Designer
By Stewart MasonDefined album cover design in the 1980s, creating wonderfully tactile… >>
