5 design things to look out for in December

Talk: Jonathan Barnbrook: A Barnbrook super deluxe ultra-karaoke

What: Although best-known for designing the late David Bowie’s last four album covers, graphic designer Jonathan Barnbrook is also considered to be one of the original members of the New Wave typography movement of the 1990s, and still continues to release new typefaces through his own company, Virusfonts.

Barnbrook’s talk at Birmingham City University will encompass his typographic career right up until the present day, including designing typefaces such as Mason and Exocet, and collaborating with cultural institutions like the V&A.
When: 12 December 2016.

Where: Birmingham City University, Main Lecture Theatre, Parkside Building, Cardigan Street, Birmingham.

Info: Free entry. Find out more here.

Book launch: Patterns – Inside the Design Library

What: Patterns is an insider’s guide to the world’s largest archive of patterns and textiles, drawn from the Design Library’s archive.

To mark the launch of the book, which is published by Phaidon, the Design Museum is hosting a talk with Design Library owner and director Peter Koepke, entrepreneur Johnnie Boden and WGSN senior editor of print and graphics Hannah Watkins.

When: 15 December 2016, 6.15-7.30pm.

Where: Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 6AG.

Info: Adult £10, Student £7.50, Member £5. Buy tickets here.

Anniversary: Design Week at 30

What: Design Week is celebrating its 30th birthday and beginning a year-long programme focusing on the past, present and future of design.

This month, look out for a number of anniversary-related videos and features, including an interview with Dids MacDonald, CEO of Anti Copying in Design.

You can also watch our conversation with Design Week’s founding editor, Jeremy Myerson, here and here.

When: Until December 2017.

Info: To see all of our Design Week at 30 content, head here.

Fair: The Royal College of Art Christmas Fête

What: The university’s Kensington campus is set to become awash with festive cheer this month, as more than 100 art and design students sell their work, including one-off prints, illustrations, ceramics and textiles.

Prices range from £1 up to £600, with all profits going directly to the students.

When: 9-11 December, 12-8pm.

Where: Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU.

Info: Free entry. Find out more information here.

Festive fun: Christmas window displays

What: While trying to avoid being crushed amid the sea of Christmas shoppers on Oxford Street, make sure you take a moment to admire retailers’ festive-themed shop windows.

Highlights this year include a squirrel having its tail blow-dried by a hedgehog holding a Dyson hairdryer at John Lewis, and Liberty’s interpretation of the Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

Where: Central London.

Info: You can read our round-up of this year’s best window displays here.