Eye Magazine

Every city resonates to the rhythms of the graphic marks made on its surfaces, from street signs and shopfronts to dumb branding and smart graffiti. It is what New York designer Robert Brownjohn (Bj) found in London more than half a century ago. What he called ‘a sort of music in the streets where we walk’ is echoed in this issue’s words and pictures.

London has always welcomed outsiders like Bj; it absorbs them and prospers from their industry and ingenuity. In this issue, we hear from Polish-born Romek Marber, Kuchar Swara (Kurdish / Iranian by birth) and Camille Walala from France, all of who have made striking contributions to the culture of their adopted city.

We also observe the East London craft traditions of the Baddeley Brothers through the eyes of The Gentle Author, who has used the digital platform of an idiosyncratic blog to approach book publishing in a new way.

St Bride Library, the matchless site of design, type and printing history (and London home to Eye’s regular Type Tuesdays), has experienced many tribulations in recent years, so it gives us great pleasure to witness the relaunch of this London treasure house. With the design community’s support it should be able to secure a brighter future.

John L. Walters, Eye editor, London

First published in Eye no. 91 vol. 23, 2016