Eye Magazine

In Eye 81, for the article ‘In the neighbourhood’, I interviewed three designers who work with local clients, writes John Ridpath.

Maddison Graphic, a studio run by brothers Edward and Alfie Maddison and based in the small Cambridgeshire cathedral city of Ely, has deliberately kept London at a comfortable distance, preferring to work with churches, beer festivals and local businesses.

Amongst the work featured in the original article was a decorative glazed screen for St Luke’s Church in Cambridge (above), and wayfinding and information panels at Ely Cathedral. Continuing the religious theme, Maddison Graphic has recently started working with the Methodists. ‘We had assumed that they had seen our signage at Ely or the work at St Lukes’, said Edward Maddison when I caught up with him earlier this month. ‘But in fact they were drawn by our boats poster.’ (top)

Above and below: The Fruitful Field. An identity and book for the Methodist Church introducing their 'Fruitful Field' project.

Again, working local seems to have paid off. ‘Our client has been very enthusiastic and supportive about our ideas and we have been able, with him, to make work that we are really proud of’, Edward explains. ‘It could be argued that working locally and on a small scale has allowed us the freedom to produce a body of work that is quite personal, and has in this instance attracted a client that, rather seeking than the services of the nearest graphic designer, actually wants what we do specifically.’

Above and below: Set of four books that provide guidance for the Methodist Church's Ministerial Development Review process.

Below: Tea towel, for Christmas.

Studio website: Maddison Graphic

For more, read ‘In the neighbourhood’ in Eye 81 (below) and #1 on the Eye blog about Mark Gowing Design.

Eye is the world’s most beautiful and collectable graphic design journal, published quarterly for professional designers, students and anyone interested in critical, informed writing about graphic design and visual culture. It’s available from all good design bookshops and online at the Eye shop, where you can buy subscriptions, back issues and single copies of the latest issue, Eye 81.