Saving Face

One of the biggest influences on my life was The Face magazine. I started reading it as a teenager in my bedroom at home in Lincolnshire, dreaming of moving to London where everything was more exciting.

The Face influenced me in more than one way though. I was a graphic design student at Lincoln College of Art, and The Face made me want to design magazines.

The Art Director was the legendary Neville Brody whose creativity, typography and layouts set the standard for young designers everywhere. I couldn't wait for the next issue, or for that of it's sister title, Arena.

Each month I'd read about the latest music, clubs, films, fashion and artists, fuelling my desire to get to the big city.

Writers such as Julie Burchill, Robert Elms, Tony Parsons, and Jon Savage alongside photographers like Corinne Day, Pennie Smith and Nick Night introduced me to new bands, politics, literature and so much more, all under the guidance of founder and editor Nick Logan.

It's been a long time since I had to let go of my collection of Face and Arena magazines, but a few years back Thames and Hudson published Paul Gorman's excellent 'The Story of The Face' and I was able to revisit many of the designs and features that shaped so much of my future.

If you were a fan, or you're a young designer looking for a hit of inspiration, order yourself a copy from Waterstones, it's a great read.