Alumnus Daniel Chehade curates poster exhibition for LCC’s ’160′

Daniel Chehade at work

Our current trio of exhibitions as part of London Design Festival, ’160′, has been attracting a lot of attention recently, but visitors may not know that one of the shows has been curated by an LCC alumnus.

Daniel Chehade graduated from the College’s BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design and Diploma in Professional Studies courses and has masterminded ‘Alan Kitching and Monotype: Celebrating the Centenary of Five Pioneers of the Poster’.

The exhibition presents a unique set of prints created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of five giants of graphic design: Tom Eckersley, Abram Games, FHK Henrion, Joseph Müller-Brockmann and Paul Rand.

Preparing for LCC’s ‘Alan Kitching and Monotype’ exhibition

Daniel founded Studio Chehade in 2012 and has undertaken curation and design for the Alan Fletcher archive, exhibition design for The Hayward Gallery, and has worked with Aram Gallery, Hidde van Seggelen Gallery and Peter von Kant.

He was first introduced to Alan Kitching during his Diploma in Professional Studies year in industry at LCC, when he worked on a memorial book on graphic designer Alan Fletcher, and then went on to work for the Alan Fletcher studio after graduation.

Alan Kitching in his studio

Speaking about the forthcoming exhibition and accompanying panel discussion ‘Five Lives in Posters’, Daniel explained:

“Being an alumnus, it is a great pleasure (and pride) to bring this exhibition and event to LCC. It’s a natural fit for this celebration of five influential graphic designers and the collaboration between two typographic heavyweights Alan Kitching and Monotype.”

We caught up with him to hear more.

How do you feel the exhibition connects to the College itself?

“Alan Kitching and Monotype are two huge typographic forces. London College of Communication is a hotbed for up-and-coming graphic designers with typography and printing at its heart (as well as in its history). Both Eckersley and Henrion taught here whilst Alan has given numerous workshops and talks. It’s the perfect fit.”

What you would like visitors to take away from the show?

“Working with Alan Kitching during this project has been an honour. I hope visitors enjoy seeing not only the finished prints but also the glimpse into Alan’s workshop and his design process. The attention to detail in Alan’s work and his commitment to the quality of each piece has been inspiring.

“It’s also a great opportunity to look back at each of the five designers celebrating their centenary. Throughout my research I’ve become acutely aware of their significance, in how we practise and teach graphic design today.”

Graphics for the LCC Graduate School launch earlier this year

In fact, Daniel’s work has already been seen around the College as he was commissioned by the LCC Graduate School to design its branding for the School’s launch earlier this year. So what inspired his designs?

“The identity for the Graduate School stemmed from the fact that’s a school without a fixed programme. It operates across both the School of Design and Media. The multi-disciplinary nature of the College means students share and collaborate beyond their own course and subject area.

“The Graduate School’s events programme also acts as a platform for discussion, ideas, sharing, talks, opportunities etc. The logotype reinforces this with a literal platform or underline.”

Graduate School Coordinator Holly McConnell describes why Daniel was selected for the project:

“I think it’s really important that we work with graduates on projects like the Graduate School launch. As students, they have lived and breathed LCC so their work is always reflective of the culture here. Daniel was a natural choice for this project, his portfolio showed considered, thoughtful and creative solutions that conveyed a strong sense of the subject.

“His designs for the Graduate School were no exception, creating a simple but powerful identity that has been an instant success with staff and students. He also happens to be a very nice chap to work with!”

Read about BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design