Harriet Richardson on swapping Pentagram for the Edinburgh Fringe stage
Harriet Richardson, who transitioned from graphic design to performance art, is set to unveil her hour-long show 'CREEP' at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 5 to 30. In a personal essay featured on It's Nice That, accompanied by illustrations from Tara Booth, she reflects on a meeting with her ex-boss, John Rushworth, five years after departing Pentagram. Richardson discusses her motivations for leaving the design field—fatigue and disillusionment—and how her design background influences her performances. She includes perspectives from fellow artists like Anthony Burrill and Mr Bingo on similar career shifts. Her father, Peter Richardson, states, "You might leave the design industry, but it never leaves you." Additionally, she is working on her first book following 'CREEP.'
Key facts
- Harriet Richardson worked as a graphic designer at Pentagram for five years.
- She is now a performance artist and will present 'CREEP' at the Edinburgh Fringe from 5-30 August.
- She bumped into her former boss John Rushworth on a London street.
- She left design because of exhaustion, disillusionment, and not wanting her boss's life.
- Designer Anthony Burrill left commercial commissions to sell his own graphic art.
- Illustrator Mr Bingo left his 13-year commercial illustration career and now works independently.
- Peter Richardson, Harriet's father, worked in design until age 60 and says the skills stay with you.
- The article was published on It's Nice That with illustrations by Tara Booth.
Entities
Artists
- Harriet Richardson
- John Rushworth
- Anthony Burrill
- Mr Bingo
- Peter Richardson
- Tara Booth
- Luke Healy
- Joe Lycett
- Armand Croisonnier
- Seán Harte
- Turkina Faso
Institutions
- Pentagram
- It's Nice That
- Edinburgh Fringe
- The Bill Murray
- Blank Street
- Foilco
- Aesop
- Dairylea
Locations
- London
- Edinburgh
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
- Broadway Market
- Northern England