Live Project – Start Something / Age of Autonomy

120 aspiring designers were connected with 11 of Scotland’s leading design agencies who offer mentorship and one-to-one advice on a design-led brief over 2 days. The mentor agencies then selected two participants within their group who they believe developed the strongest response to the brief to present to a panel of industry experts who selected […]

Exhibition: NO EXIT – Design Displacement Group

Design Displacement Group’s solo exhibition NO EXIT at GDFS explores issues around labour conditions, efficiency, isolationism, populism and panic in a political Union no one can practically ‘exit’ from. Produced in light of Brexit, the 3-way projection installation uses algorithms to create a series of parallel and infinitely changing narratives, played in sync with a […]

Conference and Panel Discussion

Stories, personal experiences, advice, insights and a behind the scenes peek at unreleased work. We welcomed Nous Vous, Grilli Type, Wieden+Kennedy, Design Displacement Group, Putput and Koto to our 2016 conference and panel discussion. Thierry Blancpain of Grilli Type explains how they use animation as a way of exploring and explaining type design. The animations […]

2-Day Workshop: Design Displacement Group – Digital vs. Archaic

DDG was set up as an international initiative known as The Design Displacement Group with the intention of approaching modern design in new and unusual ways. The group consists of sixteen members collaborating in shifting constellations across a range of projects that take form through commissioned client projects, self-initiated works and open-form workshops. DDG introduce […]

2-Day Workshop: Urban Outfitters – Visual Merchandising

Urban Outfitters is a global retailer with a boutique approach. Does that sound like a contradiction? How about this: Urban Outfitters is the biggest small retailer in the world. Over 2 days Simon, Charlotte and Denni of Urban Outfitters provided a visual merchandising experience which focused on UO’s in-store magazine SHEET. The latest issue was […]

2-Day Workshop: Grilli Type – Custom Type and Wordmarks

Grilli Type is an independent Swiss type foundry who offer original retail and custom typefaces. As long-time users of Grilli Type’s typefaces and being huge fans of their work we were delighted to have Grilli’s Thierry, Reto and Noël in Glasgow. The workshop focused on customisation of type, with participants learning how to create their […]

2-Day Workshop: PUTPUT – Double Takes

PUTPUT is a cross disciplinary practise working primarily within contemporary still life photography, publication, installation and sculpture. Established in 2011 by Stephan Friedli and Ulrik Martin Larsen. “Neatly placed at the intersection where art, design and concept meet PUTPUT create distinct visuals through self instigated projects and commissions for clients including SZ Magazin, Wallpaper, Der […]

2-Day Workshop: Koto – Branding Masterclass

Koto was founded in 2015 by Caroline Matthews, James Greenfield and Jowey Roden. “Working at the intersection of brand and digital. We envision, design and build brands across platforms both digital and physical. We pride ourselves on working on businesses of all scales, from start ups to the world’s biggest brands.” James and Jowey brought […]

You’re Me – Live Set

Canadian duo Yu Su and Scott Johnson Gailey produce music under the collaborative pseudonym You’re Me. Thanks to Bake from Glasgow-based label All Caps, Su and Scott made a last minute appearance to play a live ambient set to wind-down to after the first day of the Live Project. When describing their music, record label […]

1-Day Workshop: Good Press Gallery – Analogue Publishing

Good Press is a self-organised volunteer-led initiative dedicated to the production, promotion and sale of independent publishing. Based at 5 St. Margaret’s Place in Glasgow, Good Press explores new possibilities for publishing and offers a community resource not only for artists, designers and writers, but for the wider public and it’s access to an array […]

1-Day Workshop: Alan Kitching – Letterpress

“What people get from my workshops I hope is an appreciation of typography through the original method of letterpress printing. I was particularly surprised by the inventiveness of some of the work as it got produced. The main challenge in doing a workshop is the time factor, but given that the time was limited, they […]

1-Day Workshop – STV Creative – Creative Advertising

“We’re STV’s in house creative agency, we work hard & play hard, we are award winning, we make our clients very happy, and we try everyday to make good things.” “We believe that good creative advertising stems from simple, powerful ideas. If the idea is strong the rest will follow. This workshop is about generating […]

1-Day Workshop: MAKlab – 3D Printing

MAKLab is an innovative Social Enterprise and Charity focused on the introduction, exploration and development of digital prototyping technologies within the education, art, design, craft, manufacturing and construction industries. The workshop led by Delphine Dallison brought graphic design into a 3-dimensional space to create sculptural 3D typography. Delphine worked with each participant to develop and […]

1-Day Workshop: Ciaran Glöbel – Sign Painting

Ciaran Glöbel is a self-taught signwriter and commercial artist specialising in hand painted typography who opened his workshop in Glasgow in 2013 and since then has worked with an impressive portfolio of clients including DF Concerts, Jameson Whiskey, Network Rail, Academy Music Group, Irn Bru and BBC Scotland. In his workshop Ciaran introduced participants to […]

Music Programme 2016

Music is an important aspect of GDFS. It’s the fabric of the festival’s atmosphere – helping everyone relax, bringing people together, setting the mood and creating talking points. Each day is curated by a different record label, promoter or radio station; who each invite guests, friends and collaborators to play music in the space. This […]

After Party x 12th Isle

For our third year in the game, we thought upped the party standard and teamed up with our long-time friends and frequent collaborators, 12th Isle, bringing in three of our favourite selectors, label owners and disc jockeys. After the GDFS Launch Night and the opening of our three exhibitions at The Lighthouse, we headed up […]

2016 Launch

Friday evening marked the launch of Graphic Design Festival Scotland 2016, welcoming more than 500 guests to explore the International Poster Exhibition, NO EXIT – Design Displacement’s 3-way immersive projection installation and Putput’s Enormous Details exhibition throughout the building. Alongside the 3 exhibition openings, the winners of the 2016 International Poster Competition and Live Project […]

Exhibition: Enormous Details – Putput

Electrical sponges, salami and a sex tape In the exhibition “Enormous Details” shown throughout the public spaces within The Lighthouse, Swiss/Danish artist duo PUTPUT present a collection of accumulated images from projects within the last 5 years. A mix of old and new, showcasing a fascination with everyday objects, advertising and staging. Blurring the lines […]

Mural with Mearns Castle High School

The workshop led by Glasgow-based design practice Warriors Studio enabled the students to design and paint a 1500 square foot mural and revamp their bike shelter with a surface design inspired by their school’s Heritage. “The mural has made a massive improvement to the school environment.” Dean Smith, Head Teacher, Mearns Castle High School The […]

Conference & Panel Discussion

5 distinct voices within the visual communications industry introduced themselves and highlights from their work before discussing the future of graphic design together through a panel discussion facilitated by Rob Alderson. Speaking and participating on the panel, we welcomed Colophon, The Rodina, HelloMe, Kate & Studio Moross and People of Print. The variety of subjects […]

2-Day Workshop: It’s Nice That & Charlie Doran – Loop the Loop

“LOOP THE LOOP” was a two-day workshop experimenting with loops and GIFs—all to be used as part of a live audio/visual performance party at the festival. The workshop focused on combining analogue methods of making, such as collage and stop-frame animation, with digital methods of processing such as camera phone apps and glitching — all […]

2-Day Workshop: HelloMe – The Black Square

A workshop on the power of simplicity and the beauty of an idea. Starting with Kasimir Malewitsch’s revolutionary painting “Black Square” (1915) HelloMe and their workshop team investigated the endless formal and creative possibilites of the square to create new meaning and surprising visual languages. Each participant explored the form independently before selecting their strongest […]

2-Day Workshop: Colophon – Type Design from Research to Production

Colophon introduced their workshop team to the process of type design, from research stages through to the creation of a usable font. With the surrounding area of Glasgow acting as their starting point, participants developed a custom typeface or lettering based upon their findings and evidence. The workshop involved research, writing, the creation of participant’s […]

2-Day Workshop: Studio Moross – Rotoscoping

During Graphic Design Festival Scotland 2015, Studio Moross led a 2–day workshop with 20 participants from across the world. The result was a collaborative animated music video for Drake’s ‘Hotline Bling’. *The video has been taken down. Sorry!* Studio Moross: http://studiomoross.com Photographs by Gordon Burniston. We spoke to Kate, Olly and Linus about their experience. […]

International Poster Exhibition 2015

An exhibition celebrating the art of poster design. We run an annual International Poster Competition and with the help of an internationally renowned panel, we curate a shortlist to be showcased in an exhibition. The competition received 3432 entries from 83 countries between June and August 2015 and was judged by Warriors Studio, Tony Brook […]

Roadliners Premiere

On a Tuesday evening at GDFS 2015, we showcased Roadliners, a short documentary film produced and art-directed by O Street and Pretend Lovers. Roadliners documents the unnoticed art of painting lines and type on roads and the film follows Glasgow local Tam and his roadlining crew as they lay down lines and letters by hand. […]

Impact By Design

Proudly partnering with Design in Action for GDFS 2015, we hosted an evening of exploration and discovery which aimed to un-pick the true value of design. The event was kindly sponsored by Beer 52, a company successfully launched through Design in Action’s Chiasma scheme. DJing on the evening was provided by up-and-coming promoter, Tropical. The […]

1-Day Workshop: Recoat X Harvest – On the Corner

20 participants were brought together to draw, explore and experiment while creating a collaborative mural in the great Glasgow outdoors across 18 street-level shutters to help regenerate community-based centre On the Corner. Recoat: http://www.recoatdesign.com Harvest: http://www.harvestskateboards.com Photographs by Gordon Burniston. Jamie Johnson, one of the founders of Harvest Skateboards and Amy Whiten of Recoat share […]

1-Day Workshop: STV Creative – Trumpet Goggles

As always STV Creative went all out for their 1-Day workshop. Their 20 participants were split into four teams. The four teams were then presented with an assortment of objects which they were challenged to combine and create some sort of fictional product, as ridiculous as you like! The Hellmet, CuppaCap, Yellcam and the Alarmp […]

1-Day Workshop: Workhorse Press – Riso Intro

Workhorse Press is a Risograph based design & print studio based in Edinburgh, setup in 2010 by illustrator Dominic Kesterton & designer Orlando Lloyd. Working with a variety of cultural organisations and clients to product highly finished printed outcomes, the studio’s practice revolves around combining skills of Design, Illustration & Risograph printing together to create […]

Curated Music 2015

As if a 7 day programme of workshops, talks, exhibitions, competitions, and murals wasn’t enough, we invited 7 record labels and promoters to curate music at the festival alongside each event. Music is such an important aspect of GDFS. It helps everyone relax, it brings people together, it builds up energy, it can set the […]

Live 2-Day Project 2015

Through our Live 2-Day Project, up-and-coming designers respond to an open design-led brief over 2 days with mentorship from leading creative agencies before a shortlisted group present their ideas to an internationally renowned jury in the battle for ‘GDFS best up-and-coming’ award! Taking place in The Lighthouse, 120 participants gathered together in the hub before […]

Exhibition: THYPE

#THYPE is an interdisciplinary exhibition of artists and designers who explore letterforms through their work. In collaboration with Recoat Featuring work from: ROID MSK Greg La Marche (NYC) Maya Wild Elph Ciaran Glöbel Erin Bradley-Scott Joshua Barr Kat Loudon Pamela Tait Alice Rooney Fist 10th – 25th October 2015 12-6pm Exhibition Opening Friday 9th October […]

2-Day Workshop: Kesselskramer, Freddy Taylor – Do2

Freddy Taylor of Kesselskramer ran a product design-based workshop as an extension of Kesselskramer’s Do project. This involved the creation of products, which only become complete through user interaction. The most famous example of these is a steel ‘chair’ which is sold as a steel cube and a sledgehammer. The user creates their own unique […]

2-Day Workshop: HORT – Comic Book Publication

Over the course of 2 days, Eike König of HORT introduced his group to the importance of narrative. Each participant was invited to share a memory or distinct story from their past. Once each memory was shared, the story had to be recreated visually by hand. These visuals then became the base content for a […]

2-Day Workshop: 44 Flavours – Collaborative Construction

44 Flavours 2-Day workshop looked at intuition-led process within a collaborative environment, resulting in a large-scale public sculpture of layered colours, hand-cut shapes and forms. The sculpture was then installed by the group within Glasgow Sculpture studios with the Glasgow skyline as a backdrop before a celebratory dance was performed around the piece. 44 Flavours: […]

Visuals: Julia Stringer

To accompany a social evening of drinks following the workshops at GDFS 2014, we invited Swedish artist/designer Julia Stringer to create a body of visual work in response to music which would be played. The visuals provided a strong focal point for the space and helped us build a stimulating and exciting environment. You can […]

International Poster Exhibition 2014

Through our International Poster Competition, launched between June and August 2014, we received almost three thousand entries from more than thirty countries. These submissions were judged and a final 100 curated for exhibition by Warriors Studio, Felix Pfäffli (Weltformat), Pierre Vanni and Morgan Fortems (My Monkey). Posters offer a universal platform for communication and have […]

Informal Talks Evening

An evening of music, drinks and short informal talks from Eike Konig/HORT (Berlin), Freddy Taylor of Kesselskramer (Amsterdam & London), Sebastian Bagge and Julio Rölle of 44 Flavours (Berlin) and Oliver Knight of OK–RM (London). Music courtesy of So Weit So Gut, Handpicked and The Dissolving Dancefloor.

1-Day Workshop: Risotto – Ltd Ed Prints

Glasgow-based Risotto, introduced the process of risograph printing. The printer, somewhere between a tower photocopier and a screen-printing bed allows multiple prints to be created quickly but with the aesthetics and finish of a screen print. Colours can be layered up and incredible results achieved through overlaying and combining textures and block colours. Each participant […]

1-Day Workshop: Recoat X Harvest – Inside/Outside

Recoat is a Glasgow-based Arts Organisation made up of artist duo, Amy Whiten and Ali Wyllie. Recoat started out as a gallery in 2007 but has evolved and grown so that they now specialise in curating mural projects, exhibitions and education programmes in the field of Contemporary Urban Art. Harvest is a skateboard brand and […]

1-Day Workshop: 44 Flavours – Jumping Jacks

Within one day, each participant developed the idea of, and physically created an abstract jumping jack. “Abstract? Yes! Not a typical jumping jack, but more some kind of sculptural/contemporary jumping jack, that plays with colors and forms. A jumping jack, that gives the viewer the opportunity to interact, so there should be the option to […]