Virtual Typography

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Job:01212 Title: Basics typography (AVA)

1st Proof Page:89

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88—89

Haçienda – 8vo

8vo was a London design group founded by Mark Holt and

Simon Johnston in 1984. Hamish Muir joined in 1985 and

Michael Burke in 1986. Both Muir and Johnston had studied

under Wolfgang Weingart in Basel and all four members of

the group shared the belief that typography could be at the

core of graphic design solutions.

8vo’s work shows that the computer was not always

essential to produce highly sophisticated design solutions

in the 1980s. No matter how complex their fi nal pieces,

their designs were initially drawn by hand and mocked-up

with great care and attention to detail. While magazines

used a mark-up grid, the type used for posters could be

treated more fl exibly. The initial layout sketches were refi ned,

coloured and fi nalised in stages. In 1986 Tony Wilson

from Factory Records commissioned 8vo to develop this

fourth anniversary poster for the Manchester nightclub, the

Haçienda. This series of images shows the enormous manual

effort behind the fi nished poster.

Job:01212 Title: Basics typography (AVA)

1st Proof Page:89

001-184 01212.indd 89001-184 01212.indd 89 12/19/08 3:04:20 PM12/19/08 3:04:20 PM