Graphic Design: A peek into Ewen Spencer’s collection of original UK garage flyers

Documentary photographer Ewen Spencer knows a thing or two about garage. After graduating from Brighton university in 1997 he launched himself into the UK’s burgeoning garage scene, camera firmly in hand, documenting the dizzying highs of the country’s nightlife. The photographs he took of the time have recently been compiled in the newly-released and beautifully designed, UKG.

To celebrate the premiere of Brandy & Coke, a documentary film Spencer made for Dazed Digital and Channel 4, Ewen has released a catalogue of original flyers from some of the nights he used to frequent.

The infamous Twice as Nice and Pure Silk are both in there, transporting us back to a time when graphic design had no rules, and also some really questionable tastes. Made in every colour and font imaginable and adorned with turquoise oceans, the irrepressibly 1990s dolphin motif and an array of Aristocats and PVC catsuits, the flyers document what has now become a retro aesthetic. It makes me really happy to imagine great, great grandchildren admiring them in design museums of future centuries, wondering what garage music sounded like.

Ewen Spencer will be also speaking at our creative symposium Here in June! You can find out more about him on the Here London site.