The new Alan Fletcher Archive reminds us of a phenomenal design talent

It’s easy to forget that Alan Fletcher was one of the founding fathers of Pentagram. Since the release of his 2001 treatise on visual language, The Art of Looking Sideways, he’s risen to the ranks of art and design deity, lauded for his experimental approach to design and consistently playful imagery. Right up until his death in 2006, Alan worked prolifically from his west London studio, producing personal and commercial work in his inimitable style that traded in traditional design standards for something altogether more approachable. As a result it’s hard to picture him suited and booted, going to and from client meetings to present himself commercially.

Trying to encapsulate his remarkable career within a few simple paragraphs is a hopeless task, and simply should not be attempted. But archiving Alan’s lifelong body of work online, for all to experience, is a project we’ve been excited about witnessing since we heard of it at Kemistry Gallery a couple of years ago.

Together with Sarah Copplestone, Alan’s daughter, Raffaella Fletcher has just launched the first iteration of The Alan Fletcher Archive, a comprehensive resource of the great man’s work that brings together his universally known later work with a vast array of lesser-known projects from his younger years. There’s even a nod to some work completed immediately after leaving university that suggests the handiwork of a man still learning his craft.

Alongside the images are a selection of written pieces on Alan and his work as well as information about the individual projects themselves. For a Fletcher fanatic this site is a treasure trove of inspiration, and for those who don’t know him yet it’s a great place to lose yourself for a couple of hours and find out about one of the UK’s greatest designers.