Zak kyes biography of michael
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Has the term “critical graphic design” run its course? Or can the concept still deepen the practice of design?
Way back in 2008, I wrote an Observer column about a phenomenon labeled “critical graphic design,” which at that point appeared to be emerging. My essay focused on the catalog to an exhibition titled “Forms of Inquiry: The Architecture of Critical Graphic Design,” which the curator explained was “a group of contemporary, international graphic designers who base their work in critical investigation.”
This was the first use of the term in connection with a public manifestation or event, and the show went on to travel to art schools and similar venues for a few years. The catalog’s editors, Mark Owens and Zak Kyes, weren’t pleased by my comments, and we had a brief exchange, which can be read here.
In the years since, I’ve written about critical graphic design from time to time, but the tendency has never seemed adequately debate
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Zak Kyes, UK
AGI member since 2019
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Zak Kyes is Swiss-American graphic designer, art director and founder of Zak Group. His studio has produced acclaimed work for leading cultural institutions, artists and brands including Anne Imhof, Frank Ocean, M+, MMK, Paco Rabanne and Vitra.
Zak Group has become renowned for projects that take shape across the full spectrum of visual media—from books, websites and printed matter to branding, exhibitions and typefaces.
From 2006 to 2016 Kyes was the first Art Director of the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London where he co-founded the publishing imprint Bedford Press.
Kyes was elected to the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI) in 2019. He has lectured widely on graphic design and taught at the Architectural Association and École cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL). He studied at the California Institute of the Arts.
Design work by Zak Kyes
Zak Kyes is Swiss-American graphic designer, art director and founder of Zak Group. His studio has produced acclaimed work for leading cultural institutions, artists and brands including Anne Imhof, Frank...
Read full biographyZak Kyes is Swiss-American graphic designer, art director and founder of Zak Group. His studio has produced acclaime