Offf London 2017: top talks to catch

Global design conference Offf comes to London for the first time this September, with a two-day bill of talks from illustrators, designers, typographers, developers and artists.

The inaugural London festival takes place in Barcelona every year, and also tours the world for one-off events, which have previously taken place in Paris, New York and Mexico City, among others.

Here are our top talks to catch at the two-day event.

Digital: Poke

What: Founded in 2001, Poke is a London-based studio headed up by creative director Nicolas Roope. It focuses on branding, particularly when applied through digital platforms, social media and video, but also branches out into apps and installations. Recent projects include an online and print Ted Baker campaign, a light installation illuminating Wembley Stadium to teach kids how to code, and a new website for Mulberry. The studio often works with high-end, luxury clients. Roope also heads up a product design agency called Hulger, which designed the Plumen 001 designer, energy-saving lightbulb in 2011.

When: 29 September, 10-11am.

Illustration: Ricardo Cavolo

What: Spanish artist Ricardo Cavolo is known for his colourful, intricate (and sometimes morbid) illustrations, which focus on the eye motif and draw influence from religious and tribal art to the graphic style of tattoos. His distinctive work has been known to grace walls in the form of murals, prints, and clothing, for fashion brand Atelier. Cavolo is now based in Barcelona, and will be one of the few illustrators speaking.

When: 29 September, 2.30-3.30pm.

Branding: DesignStudio

What: Smartly-named DesignStudio (think Google) is a branding design consultancy founded in 2009. It has offices in London and San Francisco, and is behind many high-profile rebrands, including food delivery app Deliveroo and football tournament the Premier League, focusing mainly on digital application. The studio also works across moving graphics and animation and film.

When: 29 September, 12-1pm.

Packaging: Lo Siento

What: Barcelona-based studio Lo Siento specialises in craft, packaging and print, having worked with many food and drink brands to give them unique, non-corporate looks. Previous work includes an advertising campaign for Barcelona’s Design Museum (Museu del Disseny), packaging for Italian pasta brand La Bianca and wine brand Parasol and an intricate, skeletal foot crafted from paper for Barcelona’s School of Osteopathy.

When: 30 September, 12-1pm.

Motion graphics: Territory

What: International consultancy Territory is based in London, New York and San Francisco, and specialises in motion graphics, animation, film and digital design. Its work is as broad as producing graphics and special effects for blockbuster films Ghost in the Shell and The Martian through to video game design and an animated Virgin Airways instruction guide to be used on board flights. Territory’s talk will be one of the few providing insight on visual effects and motion graphics.

When: 30 September, 6-7pm.

Offf London takes place 29-30 September 2017 at Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3BS. Two-day tickets cost £180 for professionals, and £60 for students. For the full line-up and more info, head to the Offf London site.