Abstract
This work focuses on the theory and praxis of the British graphic designer Robin Fior who was the subject of a PhD thesis and later converted into a book. This work may be viewed as an attempt to unveil aesthetic and political issues that formed the basis of the designer’s way of thinking in an attempt to understand how he used them in his work. These issues have been examined according to the author’s practical understanding of design issues and processes always having in mind Robin Fior’s role within the contexts (Portugal, UK) in which he lived and worked. The interest for Robin Fior’s work has consolidated during the two-year period in which we worked with him in his studio. Through this experience we have learnt that his graphic art was the result of an approach focused on content and completely unique, symbolising what can be described as avant garde versus mainstream. At first we attributed the character of his work to his having been born and started his career in the UK, an influential country in terms of graphic design since the sixties. We soon would learn that just like modernists such as El Lissitzky went beyond the boundaries of design, Robin has also gone beyond conventional graphic boundaries when he started developing his own personal style. Aware that his graphic style was somewhat unique in a positive sense, it has become imperative for us to understand its meaning.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
ROBIN FIOR, BRITISH GRAPHIC DESIGN, PORTUGUESE GRAPHIC DESIGN
