Hipnosis was perhaps the design company of the early to mid ’70s. Comprising the flamboyant personalities of Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell and latterly Peter Christopherson (Throbbing Gristle, Coil, etc), it formed in 1968 and disbanded in 1983. There’s a very cinematic quality to many of the designs which function as much like film stills as graphic design (Thorgerson and Powell were film students). Although some of the sexual politics on display are very much of their time, their work for Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin is absolutely iconic. The best work is resonant, troubling and often highly playful. Special mention must be accorded to the XTC album cover (1st row, far right) – full text here. Oh and a personal favourite is that first Peter Gabriel cover.
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