Mark Farrow

RDI
Born1960 (age 63–64)
NationalityBritish
Known forGraphic design
AwardsRoyal Designers for Industry (2009)
Websitewww.farrowdesign.com

Mark Farrow RDI (born 1960)[1] is a graphic designer known for his work with Factory Records and The Haçienda, as well as with bands such as Pet Shop Boys and Spiritualized. In 2009 he was named a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) by the RSA.

Early life

Farrow attended art college but quit after several weeks to work as a junior in a Manchester design studio. He also worked at The Discount Record in Manchester's Underground Market. Once punk exploded, the shop was frequented often by clientele such as Ben Kelly and Peter Saville, both connected to Factory Records and The Haçienda club.[2][3]

Design work

In 1982, after befriending groups and being part of the Manchester scene, Farrow was given the chance to design the cover for the 7-inch single "Fairy Tales" by the Stockholm Monsters, a Factory release. Throughout the early 80s, he designed experimental sleeves and posters for both Factory and The Haçienda, which placed him at the forefront of contemporary music graphic design.[2] After 1991, Farrow began working under the name of his studio, Farrow Design.

Farrow has had a longstanding creative partnership with Pet Shop Boys,[4][5] and other bands such as Spiritualized.[6] As the 12" vinyl went out of style, Farrow challenged contemporary notions of CD packaging. For Pet Shop Boys' 1993 release Very, Farrow designed an "orange Lego®" CD jewel box which is featured in the Museum of Modern Art.[7] In the mid-90s, Farrow designed the cover for Everything Must Go (1996), the breakthrough album by the Manic Street Preachers.[8] For Spiritualized's 1997 album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, he used an authentic tablet blister-pack which contained the CDs and accompanying text. For their 2001 release Let it Come Down, he included a 3-D, vacuum-formed face as part of the cover.[2] He has also worked with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Burt Bacharach, Calvin Harris, and Snow Patrol.[9]

Farrow does work outside of the music industry, for designers, photographers, publishers, and other industry projects. He has worked with Oliver Peyton on restaurants and bars, designed the cover of the 1999 D&AD annual, worked with SCP furniture on designing clocks, developed a packaging system for Levis, collaborated with The Science Museum in London, and designed a yacht for Campers' Volvo Ocean Race.[10][11] His minimalist approach, and a rigorous, highly precise attention to detail defines his aesthetic. He enjoys close, collaborative work.

Awards

Farrow was named Designer of the Year in the Creative Review Peer Poll in 2004, voting him ‘the most important graphic designer working today’.

In 2009 he was given the honour of Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) by the RSA.[12]

As of 2009, he had won nine D&AD Silver Awards.[2] Farrow also has four Grammy nominations, 10 Music Week CAD awards, and two Art Directors Club of Europe Gold Awards.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Mark Farrow". Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dempsey, Mike (11 November 2009). "Profile – Mark Farrow". Design Week. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "Factory Records: MARK FARROW". factoryrecords.org. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  4. ↑ Hawkins, Stan (2009). The British pop dandy: masculinity, popular music and culture. Ashgate. p. 72. ISBN 0-7546-5858-9.
  5. ↑ "PSB's designers". www.pet-shop-boys.eu. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  6. ↑ Rivers, Charlotte (2008). CD-Art: Innovation in CD Packaging Design. Rotovision. p. 11. ISBN 2-88893-013-7.
  7. ↑ Studer, Wayne. "Very". Geowayne. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  8. ↑ Burgoyne, Patrick (27 May 2016). "Farrow for the Manic Street Preachers: Remembering Everything". CreativeReview.com. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Farrow Design". Farrow Design. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "The best of Mark Farrow". Design Indaba. 1 February 2002. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "The North's Most Prolific Graphic Designers: Mark Farrow". Orchard. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Current Royal Designers". RSA. November 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
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