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Back Chat: Lawrence Zeegen, dean of design at London College of Communication, on why design shouldn't be sidelined

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By Gillian West, Social media manager

October 3, 2015 | 5 min read

We catch up with educator, illustrator and writer Lawrence Zeegen to find out what’s keeping him busy, from professorial lectures to collecting Coke bottles.

How are you and what’s been keeping you busy?

Keeping me busy most recently is my Professorial Platform Lecture. Once the university awards you the title of professor, at some point in the following years they expect you to deliver a high level, highbrow professional lecture. You’re also asked to produce a publication, so I’ve been writing that as well as planning the lecture. It’s been a lot of work but it’s also been a lot of fun.

I’ve also been working on a refresh of the Fundamentals of Illustration for its third edition and recruiting 24 new staff for the School of Design at London College of Communication.

What’s your biggest gripe at the moment?

My biggest bugbear is how design is increasingly being sidelined. Given what design, and design education, is worth to the UK economy, I’m disappointed that despite the best efforts of organisations like D&AD and the Design Council, we have a government in power that seems to wilfully ignore the value of design, advertising and the creative industries in general.

What inspires you outside of the office? Any hobbies?

I’ll own up – I class myself as a bit of a collector. I spend a lot of time hunting through junk shops, thrift stores and flea markets and I have a range of collections that I have a bit of a reputation for. One collection I’m able to add to every time I leave the country is my Coca-Cola bottle collection; I now have around 500-600 bottles from around the world that I’ve built up over 25-30 years. Most of the things I’m interested in unintentionally tend to relate back to design.

What would you do if you had unlimited resources?

I’d love to do a series of interviews with some of the biggest names in illustration, design and advertising before some of those people are no longer with us. There are people who are now in their 70s and 80s who have been instrumental in helping shape contemporary graphic design and advertising communications. They are unsung heroes; I’d love to spend a year or two disappearing off around the world to get their take on things.

Are there any projects that you wish you had worked on?

Many years ago I was commissioned by Royal Mail to design a set of stamps. At that point they would commission three or four designers and everyone would produce a set of visuals that would go to a committee, with a designer then chosen to take those stamps through to completion. I was always very disappointed, after getting commissioned, not to make it to that final stage. I was fortunate enough last year though to design a set of stamps for San Marino which elevated some of the anxiety around that one.

What gets you up in the morning?

I have a very rewarding job and what gets me up in the morning is knowing every day is different. The challenges are always great but hugely rewarding.

I get to work with great people who are really, really inspired by what they’re doing. Ultimately, when you work in design education it’s about ensuring that the student experience is the best it can be. Whether that’s putting together an exhibition, designing a project or working on a commercial brief, it’s always about design being at the forefront and the focus.

Who inspires you?

On a daily basis I feel very lucky that my partner, Rebecca Wright, works in the same line of work as myself at Central Saint Martins. She and I agree and disagree on many aspects of design and that keeps things exciting. We’re both very passionate about what design can do and how it can benefit people and society. We enjoy healthy discussions and debates, and our views are quite opposing – that keeps it feisty.

What’s your last word to the industry?

Be positive, be proud and don’t hold back in explaining and promoting just how positive design can be.

Professor Lawrence Zeegen is an educator, illustrator and writer. Dean of the School of Design at London College of Communication, he is also vice-president of the International Council of Design, a D&AD trustee, a trustee of the De La Warr pavilion, and is on the Design Council Sounding Board. His latest book, Ladybird By Design, looks at the social and design history of the iconic children’s books publisher.

Back Chat is a regular feature published at the back of The Drum's fortnightly print issue. This article was first published in the 30 September issue.

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