The Designers Republic founder Ian Anderson reflects on 40 years of iconic music and video game design
Ian Anderson founded The Designers Republic (TDR) in Sheffield in 1986, initially as a joke because he and co-founder Nick Phillips weren't trained designers. Early work was black and white due to lack of color knowledge. TDR became synonymous with music, designing for Aphex Twin, Autechre, Pulp, and Nine Inch Nails. They also worked on video games Wipeout and Grand Theft Auto, and collaborated with Coca-Cola and Adidas. Their work is held in MoMA and the V&A. Anderson notes obsessive collectors, including one who remortgaged their house for TDR pieces.
Key facts
- The Designers Republic was founded in Sheffield in 1986.
- Founder Ian Anderson says the name was a joke because they weren't designers.
- Early work was in black and white because they didn't know how to make it color.
- TDR designed for Aphex Twin, Autechre, Pulp, and Nine Inch Nails.
- They worked on video games Wipeout and Grand Theft Auto.
- Collaborations included Coca-Cola and Adidas.
- Their work is held in MoMA and the V&A.
- One collector remortgaged their house for TDR art.
Entities
Artists
- Ian Anderson
- Nick Phillips
- Aphex Twin
- Autechre
- Pulp
- Nine Inch Nails
Institutions
- The Designers Republic
- MoMA
- V&A
- Coca-Cola
- Adidas
Locations
- Sheffield
- United Kingdom