Dezeen Founder Marcus Fairs, Pioneering Design Critic, Dies at 55

Marcus Fairs, the founder of the influential online design and architecture magazine Dezeen, has died. He launched the publication in 2006 from his spare bedroom, following his role as founding editor of the print magazine Icon. The website grew to attract more than three million monthly visitors with its coverage of articles, picture galleries, product releases, and design previews. In 2021, Dezeen was acquired by the Danish media conglomerate JP/Politiken Media Group. Fairs authored two books: '21st Century Design: New Design Icons From Mass Market to Avant-Garde' in 2006 and 'Green Design' in 2009. In 2018, he co-directed the documentary short 'Elevation,' which explored drones, architecture, and urbanism. That same year, he received an honorary fellowship from the Royal Institute of British Architects and served on the jury for the UK City of Culture. Architect Norman Foster praised Fairs as 'a pioneering and visionary journalist' who reshaped architectural journalism in the UK. Designer Thomas Heatherwick recalled advising against an online venture, but Fairs proceeded to create what Heatherwick called 'the most successful design website in history.'