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

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.