How many members are involved and what is Language's areas of expertise?

Language has twelve full-time staff, and a few associates such as freelancers, web companies and outsourced media buyers. We create liquid teams so that we can customise a team to the needs of a particular project. Therefore, we can get involved in work which we couldn't have a couple of years ago. Our areas of expertise include: advertising, copywriting, environment and identity design for print and screen.

What are some recent Language projects?

Ulysses 2004 (Five minute promotional video for RTE), A brief History of Collins Barracks (National Museum of Ireland), Institute of Art, Design and Technology-DunLaoghaire (on going work), Bank of Scotland Ireland, Your Credit Union (identity materials), Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (Annual Report).

Does Language pursue any non-client, self-initiated projects ?

As well as commercial projects and work we do for community-based organisations or those campaigning for social change, we also use self-initiated projects to explore areas of personal interest and to showcase work. Self-initiated work covers disciplines such as image making, photography, writing, sculpture, and book making. For example, Language Diary 2003. For the last five years, Language has self-initiated a diary, with work produced in-house and from selected contributors. The diary is a gift to ourselves and our clients. It allows us to collaborate with a range of designers, writers and artists. The starting point for the 2002 limited edition diary was the periodic table, with the table of elements forming the basis of the contributors' brief. This broad foundation led to experimentation with text and image that is as diverse as it is interesting. It is always a pleasure to work with people outside of the studio. The mix of responses is stimulating and often surprising.

What is Multiples and why did Language initiate the project?

Multiples is an on-going project originated by Language, Paul O'Neill and Vaari Claffey. Twice a year Multiples invites a curator to commission limited edition artworks from established and emerging contemporary artists. Multiples is currently represented by the ICA, London and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin. Artworks can also be viewed online and through our catalogue. www.language.ie.

Are there plans for a Multiples 7

There is a Multiples retrospective on show at the moment at the London Print Studio. This is made up of artists from the last six shows. Multiples 7 is due to open in September of this year.

What does the term "graphic authorship" mean to you?

If graphic design is about thinking visually through ways of assisting content then, graphic authorship is the making of the content. The inclusion of original elements within a design is not authorship, it is the job and what graphic designers do. Personal investment in your own work is not self-indulgent if it is clear about what it communicates to the viewer. It is however, important to be motivated in the pursuit of personal and investigative projects, to commission oneself in order to give breath to a particular idea or technique. It is also important to publish and distribute this work, if only to get it out of the house."

Language sees that the self-initiated content (or from another source), is the trigger for what is produced; the work could be called art, but only if the client is the designer and the brief is set by the designer. The issue of graphic designer as artist has been knocking around for a long time. It seems odd that people feel the need to quantify what this means. If a cabinetmaker creates a sculpture, what do you call it? A rush to the head?"

Should designers be more forceful in allowing the time for creative solutions? How does Language solve this problem?

Obviously we have to maintain a balance between all the areas of work. However, by initiating our own projects, we have an opportunity to explore new territory. This leads to an originality and richness in the work. We can experiment, learn from our mistakes and really enjoy the process. For better or worse, it is the result of personal investment in the work. There is a balance to be struck between work you do for money and work you do for yourself. Each can inform the other.

Language seems to be very open to collaborating with other organisations and creatives, do you think that collaboration is an important part of the design process?

We find collaboration a very rewarding process which leads to experimentation across a variety of different media. There are many benefits to be gained from developing collaborative relationships from inside and outside the immediate company structure. The end result is ultimately how these approaches and concepts are applied to projects and the satisfaction that is achieved through this type of work. It is therefore, an integral part of the design process and one that we are very keen to develop.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Anything and everything.

Finally, what are your plans for the future? Where would you like to see Language in 5 years?

Still striving to create imaginative and engaging work, both through the commissions of clients and by initiating our own independent projects. It would be good to continue contributing to emerging culture, nurturing the creative and intellectual development of the people in Language while enabling us to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to our work in the process.

Contact Details:
Language
28 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1

Phone: 353-1-878 3300
Email: studio@language.ie
Web: www.language.ie

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