Episode 2: Zak Kyes
If you still think graphic design is merely a responsive service, Zak Kyes is one of the people who have turned that idea upside down, and claimed the practice as a collaboration on shaping culture and making meaning. We talked with Zak on his “Culture is not Cancelled” campaign; how to collaborate; learning from other fields; and his take on authorship in design.
“I realized that culture can be the entire system of creating meaning, so that should not exclude even a commercial field. For example, fashion or music where objects are created and imbued with meaning. .”
Zak Kyes is the creative director of the Zak Group, operating from London. He was formerly the Art Director of the Architectural Association School of Architecture, and co-founder of the Bedford Press imprint under AA Publications.
Episode Notes & Links
Zak's studio is called Zak Group. As an international design practice, they create brand identities and digital platforms at the intersection of art, architecture, design, and fashion. https://www.zak.group
Architectural Association, commonly referred to as AA is one of the most prestigious schools of architecture in the world. Established in the late 19th century, the association sought to come up with an alternative to the obsolete educational model of traditional education based on apprenticeship. The founders devised an education program that offered an intensive course of training provided by the students themselves. https://www.aaschool.ac.uk
Zak Kyes was the co-founder of the infamous Bedford Press (2008-2016) an imprint of the Architectural Association and named after the school’s location at Bedford Square, London. https://www.aaschool.ac.uk/PUBLIC/AAPUBLICATIONS/bedford.php?page=2
Bedford Press also published “Ahali: An Anthology for Setting a Setting” in 2013. https://aabookshop.net/?wpsc-product=ahali-an-anthology-for-setting-a-setting
Initiated by Zak “Culture Is Not Cancelled” is one of the critical reactions that emerged during the quarantine days, seeking to encourage cooperation and solidarity within the creative community. https://cultureisnotcancelled.art
Bologna's modern art museum MAMBO released an open call for artists to use its facilities during the pandemic to support the production of new works. https://www.inexhibit.com/marker/in-bologna-the-mambo-is-renewed-and-launches-the-new-bakehouse/
Prof. Pelle Ehn’s lecture at Malmö University titled Design, Democracy, and Participation: Exploring the Scandinavian Participatory Design Tradition is highly recommended. The lecture delves into the historical development of collective design practices. https://archive.org/details/pelle_ehn_participatory_design_100_years
Episode recorded on Zoom on May 20th 2020. Interview by Can Altay.
Produced by Aslı Altay & Sarp Renk Özer. Music by Grup Ses.
Released from MÇPS Studios.