Born in 1966 in the United Kingdom, Jonathan Barnbrook is one of the most influential graphic designers to emerge from the country. 
He has collaborated with numerous global brands and artists, including John Foxx, Damien Hirst, and Banksy. However, his most iconic partnership was with the legendary David Bowie, a decades-long collaboration that earned Barnbrook a Grammy in 2017 for Best Recording Package. 
Barnbrook is also a renowned type designer. His most famous typeface, Mason, became one of the first digital typefaces acquired by The Museum of Modern Art in New York. 
In this exclusive interview, we sat down with Barnbrook to discuss topics such as: 
• His decades-long collaboration with David Bowie and how it all began in secret 
• What it’s like designing for a global megastar 
• How to build a strong portfolio 
• Navigating client relationships 
• Understanding the role of graphic design in society 
• Why Donald Trump ended up posing with a Barnbrook book cover!

Timecodes
00:00 Intro
00:20 Jonathan Barnbrook
01:25 Introduction to graphic design
02:26 Fragile Self
04:47 Designing without brief
07:45 Meeting David Bowie
10:52 The Next Day album art
16:26 Bowie involved in design
20:04 Blackstar album art
24:30 Typeface design
27:51 Donald Trump picture
28:30 Ad
29:25 Working with Banksy
32:40 Designer vs political climate
38:15 Adbusters
41:45 Art Basel
43:30 Japan projects
47:52 Personal touch in commercial design
51:53 Portfolio tips
55:35 Top 5 designers/artists

📸 Jonathan Barnbrook Portrait
Photo by Norman Posselt — www.normanposselt.com
🎨 Design and artwork courtesy of Barnbrook Studio
https://barnbrook.net
🔗 Learn more about Jonathan Barnbrook at barnbrook.net
Intro animation by: Miray Erdeve

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