Biography

Peter Brawne is an independent typographic designer and partner in Matter, a design group of one (plus the occasional collaborator) of predominantly printed matter for a variety of organisations and individuals mainly, though not exclusively, in the not-for-profit sector. Previously he worked at Windhorse Associates, a graphic design co-operative and the London Borough of Hackney as its senior designer. In 2000 he exhibited specially commissioned work for the Look Out: art/society/politics touring exhibition organised by Art Circuit. Recent work includes designing an interior temporary hoarding promoting the website of an about-to-open shop and a range of stationery for an oak-frame builder. Currently he is working with fellow designer Katherine Gillieson on the design of publicity for an upcoming event on Brighton Pier in aid of the charity Homeless Link.

Work

Not led by fads and fashions within design, Peter Brawne attempts to produce apparently simple and effortless design solutions that seem right and appropriate to context and need. He works best with people who 1) don’t have a problem paying bills; 2) don’t treat him like a complete dolt; 3) are earnest and sardonic in equal measures. He has had very short and very long working relationships but appreciates loyalty from clients and, he believes, this is amply rewarded in turn. He also wants to make it plain that in his experience working relationships are most productive when clients have a little bit of an idea about what they want (rather than what they don’t want): Peter is not big on guessing games. He enjoys straying into areas that are not the traditional terrain of the designer: coming up with titles, headlines and picture captions. On the quiet he improves badly worded text. He doesn’t enjoy clients straying into his area: trying to be a designer.