Printed Pages takes you inside the sketchbooks and mind of Alan Fletcher

Date
27 April 2015

As one of the founders of both Pentagram and D&AD, Alan Fletcher left an indelible mark on the design world. But as is often case with such a towering figure, the iconography can predominate and the real person recedes as we consider his life and work. What a treat then that for the new issue of Printed Pages we were given access to his sketchbooks, thanks to his wife and daughter Paola and Raffaela.

It feels thrillingly intimate to look through his sketches and doodles, of footballers and dogs and toast and swimmers and trees. There’s ideas for logos and an intriguing breakdown of how he thinks the creative brain works. There’s also lists and notes for himself – most splendidly of all a reminder to get a Christmas card for Peter Blake!

Of course the temptation is to try and imbue every mark with some grand meaning but these can equally be enjoyed on their own terms as a glimpse into the mind of one of graphic design’s true greats.

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Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

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Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

Above

Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

Above

Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

Above

Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

Above

Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

Above

Printed Pages SS15: Alan Fletcher sketchbooks. Courtesy of Paola and Raffaela Fletcher (Photo by Ben Swanson)

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About the Author

Rob Alderson

Rob joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in July 2011 before becoming Editor-in-Chief and working across all editorial projects including itsnicethat.com, Printed Pages, Here and Nicer Tuesdays. Rob left It’s Nice That in June 2015.

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