Mark Farrow
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Mark Farrow
RDI
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|---|---|
| Born | 1960 (age 63–64) |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Graphic design |
| Awards | Royal Designers for Industry (2009) |
| Website | www |
Mark Farrow (born 1960) is a graphic designer known for his work with Factory Records and The Haçienda, as well as with bands such as Pet Shop Boys and Spiritualized. In 2009 he was named a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) by the RSA.
Early life
Farrow attended art college but quit after several weeks to work as a junior in a Manchester design studio. He also worked at The Discount Record in Manchester's Underground Market. Once punk exploded, the shop was frequented often by clientele such as Ben Kelly and Peter Saville, both connected to Factory Records and The Haçienda club.
Design work
In 1982, after befriending groups and being part of the Manchester scene, Farrow was given the chance to design the cover for the 7-inch single "Fairy Tales" by the Stockholm Monsters, a Factory release. Throughout the early 80s, he designed experimental sleeves and posters for both Factory and The Haçienda, which placed him at the forefront of contemporary music graphic design. After 1991, Farrow began working under the name of his studio, Farrow Design.
Farrow has had a longstanding creative partnership with Pet Shop Boys, and other bands such as Spiritualized. As the 12" vinyl went out of style, Farrow challenged contemporary notions of CD packaging. For Pet Shop Boys' 1993 release Very, Farrow designed an "orange Lego®" CD jewel box which is featured in the Museum of Modern Art. In the mid-90s, Farrow designed the cover for Everything Must Go (1996), the breakthrough album by the Manic Street Preachers. For Spiritualized's 1997 album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space, he used an authentic tablet blister-pack which contained the CDs and accompanying text. For their 2001 release Let it Come Down, he included a 3-D, vacuum-formed face as part of the cover. He has also worked with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Burt Bacharach, Calvin Harris, and Snow Patrol.
Farrow does work outside of the music industry, for designers, photographers, publishers, and other industry projects. He has worked with Oliver Peyton on restaurants and bars, designed the cover of the 1999 D&AD annual, worked with SCP furniture on designing clocks, developed a packaging system for Levis, collaborated with The Science Museum in London, and designed a yacht for Campers' Volvo Ocean Race. His minimalist approach, and a rigorous, highly precise attention to detail defines his aesthetic. He enjoys close, collaborative work.
Awards
Farrow was named Designer of the Year in the Creative Review Peer Poll in 2004, voting him ‘the most important graphic designer working today’.
In 2009 he was given the honour of Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) by the RSA.
As of 2009, he had won nine D&AD Silver Awards. Farrow also has four Grammy nominations, 10 Music Week CAD awards, and two Art Directors Club of Europe Gold Awards.