South Bank looks for creative director

South Bank Centre creative director John Pasche is leaving the organisation to establish himself as a freelance designer, after 11 years in the role. A replacement has yet to be be appointed.

The incoming creative director will focus on artistic direction, rather than management and administration, and will report to design manager Steve Russell, who becomes head of the team. ‘My position used to assume both roles, but the new creative director will have a creative focus,’ says Pasche.

Heading up a seven-strong design team, Pasche is responsible for the graphic work on promotional literature, posters and on-line design across the South Bank Centre’s four venues: the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall. These venues host events in classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and art, as well as educational exhibitions.

The South Bank Centre is in the throes of a major redevelopment of its entire site, which extends from County Hall to Waterloo Bridge and along the Queen’s Walk by the river Thames in London. As part of this programme, Wolff Olins is currently carrying out pre-design research for the creation of a corporate identity that will brand all the arts and cultural centres in this area (DW 10 March). Pasche may be brought in as a freelance consultant to assist Wolff Olins’ branding work.

One of Pasche’s first freelance projects is the design of the promotional materials for Bodylandscapes, an exhibition of the work of artist Rebecca Horn that opens at the Hayward Gallery on 26 May.

Hailing from a background in the music industry, one of Pasche’s best known designs is the Rolling Stones’ Lips ‘n’ Tongue logo. He has also worked for The Who and Paul McCartney.

The centre will look for a strong arts and conceptual design background when assessing candidates to replace Pasche. It is expected to make an appointment by October.