An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition

Lucienne Roberts

This exhibition was based around the alphabet which created an automatic graphic structure. The human condition of the title was reflected in human height lettering, with circles suggesting heads, and a colour scheme based on eye colour. It was designed to be an engaging use of a temporary space, using existing display cases and custom built interactive displays. Colour and graphics tied these various elements together.

Images of An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition

  1. Image 1 — 01 Wellcome-A-Z-colour (An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition)
  2. Image 2 — 02 A-Z-label-positions (An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition)
  3. Image 3 — 03 AZHumanCondition imageRichardHubertSmith-2585 (An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition)
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    Lucienne Roberts, UK (2013)

    Lucienne graduated from the Central School of Art & Design, London in 1986. A utopian zeal and an adherence to the principles of modernism have never left her. A signatory...

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    This exhibition was based around the alphabet which created an automatic graphic structure. The human condition of the title was reflected in human height lettering, with circles suggesting heads, and a colour scheme based on eye colour. It was designed to be an engaging use of a temporary space, using existing display cases and custom built interactive displays. Colour and graphics tied these various elements together.

    • Client:

    • Wellcome Collection
    • Sector:

    • Countries:

    • Disciplines:

    • Details:

    • Typography

    Lucienne graduated from the Central School of Art & Design, London in 1986. A utopian zeal and an adherence to the principles of modernism have never left her.

    A signatory of the First Things First 2000 manifesto, the work of her studio LucienneRoberts+ is defined by her intention to make accessible, engaging graphic design with a socially aware agenda. She considers graphic design fundamental to how society informs, educates and provokes and places emphasis on clear thinking, visual simplicity and craft skills. Studio work spans exhibition design, books and corporate identity for 3-d, print and screen. Lucienne has written a number of books on graphic design and speaks frequently about her subject.

    Lucienne is also co-founder of GraphicDesign&, a pioneering publishing house dedicated to creating intelligent, vivid books and exhibitions that explore how graphic design connects with all other things and the value that it brings.

    Publications

    plus

    Page 1: Great Expectations

    (2012)

    • Lucienne Roberts,
    • Rebecca Wright

    GraphicDesign&

    An unusual typographic experiment exploring the relationship between design and the reading of a page. Published in Charles Dickens’ bicentenary year, this book shows the responses by 70 international contributors when asked to layout the first page of Great Expectations.

    Design Diaries: Creative Process in Graphic Design

    (2010)

    • Lucienne Roberts,
    • Rebecca Wright

    Laurence King

    This book, which charts the progress of 11 different graphic design projects, is focused more on process than outcome and includes contributors’ honest observations and insights presented in a refreshingly candid way.

    Good: An Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design

    (2006)

    • Lucienne Roberts

    AVA Publishing

    Interviews with philosopher AC Grayling, theologian Richard Holloway and House of Lords Peer, Baroness Morgan act as a backdrop to this investigation of what it means to be a ‘good’ designer and lead a ‘good life’.

    Visual Communication: From Theory to Practice

    (2006)

    • Lucienne Roberts,
    • Jonathan Baldwin

    AVA Publishing

    Explores how cultural theory around issues such as mass culture, political design and semiotics can be applied to the real-world practice of graphic design. Theories are presented and then discussed by designers such as Neville Brody, Michael Bierut, Erik Spiekermann and Joan Farrer.

    Drip-dry Shirts: The Evolution of the Graphic Designer

    (2005)

    • Lucienne Roberts

    AVA Publishing

    A heartfelt homage to the design pioneers of the post-war generation – including Margaret Calvert, Wim Crouwel, Ken Garland and Karl Gerstner – its case studies are dialogues between these designers and those they have influenced.

    Insight: A Guide to Design with Low Vision in Mind

    (2003)

    • Lucienne Roberts,
    • Michael Evamy

    Rotovision

    Addressing the problems posed by graphic design, product and packaging and for architecture/environment for sensually and physically impaired people worldwide, this title includes comprehensive guidelines (approved by international authorities on the subject) on how to improve accessibility and take account of the needs of disabled people without compromising design integrity.

    The Designer and the Grid

    (2002)

    • Lucienne Roberts,
    • Julia Thrift

    Rotovision

    Including graphic design examples alongside product design, architecture, fine art, film and music, this established textbook explores the application of grid structures, the psychology underpinning their use and the aesthetic pleasure derived from their many forms.

    Education

    plus

    External Examiner, MA Graphic Design

    • Postgraduate

    2014 – 2015

    • University of Lincoln (United Kingdom)

    Visiting Fellow, Communication Design

    • Undergraduate,  
    • Postgraduate

    2014 – today

    • Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (United Kingdom)

    External Examiner, Typography and Graphic Communication

    • Undergraduate

    2009 – 2013

    • University of Reading (United Kingdom)

    Lectures

    plus

    A is for Activism

    (2011-09-27 00:00:00)

    • It's Nice That: On (Activism), United Kingdom

    Agencies

    plus
    • sans+baum

      1990 – 2006

    Other Professional Activities

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    • Judge, ISTD Awards 2014