Who's the most expensive graphic designer in the world?
Yesterday Noel Gallagher said that he wouldn't be giving the next Oasis album away for free.
"I didn't spend a year in the most expensive studio in England, with the most expensive producer in America, and the most expensive graphic designer in London to then give it away. Fuck that."
Which begs the question, who is the most expensive graphic designer in London? There are three obvious candidates.
a) Simon Halfon. He's designed stuff before for Oasis (post Microdot days ie post the good covers) and Weller. He probably isn't the most expensive graphic designer in London, but I'm not expecting Noel Gallagher to know the going rate of every design agency in town.
b) Peter Saville. Obviously. Would he work with Oasis? Would they work with him? There's a strong Manchester connection so maybe. And he probably likes being called the most expensive graphic designer in London.
c) Peter Blake. Not technically a graphic designer, but he did a cover for them before. He's not gonna be cheap is he?
Who do you think is the most expensive graphic designer in London?
Ahh Noel, It's not all about money you c*&T.
;-)
Posted by: Andrew | Jul 09, 2008 at 11:47
Are you throwing up a smokescreen Ben? Is it you?
Posted by: Mat | Jul 09, 2008 at 12:18
Yep, Oasis - the worst act that I've ever seen play live. And trust me, I've seen a lot. Worse even that the last ever Stone Roses concert.
So, most expensive graphic designer in London: go for it, rip him off. Let's get our own back (ie do a pastiche of the Sgt Pepper cover - but not quite as good as the Frank Zappa one, mind).
Posted by: davidthedesigner | Jul 09, 2008 at 12:26
what is the most expensive?
i know it's not me, but let's have a guess at what saville, halfon or others would be charging these days
any ideas, anyone?
Posted by: martyn reding | Jul 09, 2008 at 12:38
What's the betting that Noel's next record is so gratuitously bad that he won't even be able to give it away?
Last decent thing Oasis did was What's The Story Morning Glory. Next decent thing they can do will be to knock it on the head for good.
Posted by: Sam | Jul 09, 2008 at 13:22
Well, these are great posts, but they are certainly not replying to the question asked, which was not how good or bad the next album will be, or what it will be like, but, WHO is the most expensive graphic designer in London.
Now, I have a money bet on the Oasis issue with Ben already, but as far as this topic goes, I am going to go with the following 3 in price order.
1. Farrow
2. Peter Saville
3. Michael Johnson
I am baseing this on the current client roster, and I could be tempted to swap 1 + 2?
Posted by: Tom | Jul 09, 2008 at 14:41
Farrow - good guess Tom.
Posted by: Ben | Jul 09, 2008 at 15:32
no its none of the above. its actually julian house/intro believe it or not. i was surprised to learn hes the most expensive. i think though thats its more likely to be gallagher shooting his mouth off and being a cheapskate.
Posted by: Rusty | Jul 09, 2008 at 16:00
Ah, yes, forgot about him... How do you know this to be the case. He does some very nice work.
Posted by: Tom | Jul 09, 2008 at 16:17
I cannot believe it's Intro however - how much can you charge for doing a load of album sleeves with a few photogrpahs and that font that they always use ?
Posted by: Tom | Jul 09, 2008 at 16:54
Now this is the kind of debate I LOVE.
I reckon its Bigactive.
Posted by: claire | Jul 10, 2008 at 16:55
I'll bet none of those mentioned were the 'most expensive' - just Noel over-exaggerating things again. But at least he actually mentioned a graphic designer (although most of his 'fans' won't have a clue what one does)
Posted by: minxlj | Jul 11, 2008 at 12:11
Clearly its got to be Damien Hirst as he and his dots took over minimal design for so long
Posted by: Ash Meer | Jul 11, 2008 at 13:47
Mr House's work is on display here.
Beatles anyone? http://www.digoutyoursoul.com/
Posted by: Tom | Jul 14, 2008 at 16:46
More on this in The Guardian: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/07/_the_sleeve_for_dig.html
Posted by: Ben | Jul 15, 2008 at 09:42
New Oasis Album cover
Posted by: Shaun Tollerton | Jul 15, 2008 at 14:36
Has to be Saville, purely by dint of his experience and reputation in the music business, both of which he would have no trouble calling upon when Noel questions why he's so 'f-ing expensive.'
Posted by: Mac | Jul 16, 2008 at 16:43
Are you really taking Noel Gallagher as a reliable source for who is the most expensive designer in London?
He probably only said it for effect.
'the most expensive studio in England, with the most expensive producer in America, and a quite expensive graphic designer in London' doesn't quite have the same effect.
Posted by: mcmcmc | Jul 21, 2008 at 12:13
banksy?
it's only the most expensive because gallagher probably couldn't make up his mind and thinks he's a designer himself so it took 10 times as long as it should...
Posted by: blindlight | Jul 22, 2008 at 14:16