Neville Brody is an internationally renowned designer, typographer, art director, brand strategist and consultant. In the early to mid-80s, he was art director at the groundbreaking street magazine The Face before he moved to men’s style and lifestyle bible, Arena, in 1986. His monograph, The Graphic Language of Neville Brody, was published in 1988 and became the world’s best selling graphic design book.
Brody founded Research Studios in 1994. It has grown into a network with presence in London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and New York. Today, in addition to lecturing and contributing to a variety of cultural and educational initiatives, Brody works both independently on private commissions and alongside Research Studios on commercial projects for a diverse range of clients.
Recent typefaces by Brody include ‘New Deal’ originally used for the 2009 film by Michael Mann, Public Enemies and Peace 2 developed for Wallpaper* magazines August 2009 edition.
In September 2009 Arena Homme + will launch their 32nd issue with Brody as Creative Director.
I attended the D&AD Neville Brody lecture in london. I had heard mixed opinions on Brody from people, saying he was arrogant, and over opinionated. I had seen his old work in the past and like some of it, but thought it was beginning to look out of date. At the beginning of the lecture he showed some of his new work, which I thought looked really good, and would definitely shut the critics up, and would regain his 'genius' status. The interviewer Adrian Shaughnessy who is a designer and writer had a job getting him to show his work and keep him on the topics and questions that he had asked. I thought he would make a big deal of the lecture and show up to the audience, but he was very laid back and before the lecture he walked amoungst the audience and spoke one on one with people in a very friendly manor. My oppinnion on Brody is probably quite different to many people as he is disliked by lots of poffesionals and members of the creative industry, but I don't agree with this. He has been very cleaver all be it lucky, but brought his work to the front of the stage and made people take notice, weather that be by his many contriversial views on politics and education.
We were given a big poster saying 'genius' or 'wanker' on it, and at the end we were suppose to make are decision on what we thought of Brody. I think the general senses was 'genius' which I think was the right choice but 'genius' wouldn't have been the word I would have used, as I think the word 'genius' should be reserved for people like doctors, scientists etc (lifesavers). Something I found quite interesting which Brody talked about was the creative education system, and how he thought it should be scraped and built up again from scratch. This idea was met with many students in the audience agreeing and probably gained himself alot of respect from young professionals.