AGI Open + Congress

AGI Open + Congress

Founded in 1948, the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI) is a collection of the world’s leading graphic designers. Its members convene annually for the AGI Congress; lasting a week and held in a different city each year and provides a stage for the latest and most innovative ideas in the field. After the first couple of days, doors open to the public for AGI Open, whose audience is composed largely of professional designers and students of the creative arts.

In 2013, the event was held in London. We were commissioned to design the identity of the Open, and as the leader of the UK chapter of the AGI, our creative director Tony also curated, organised and delivered the Congress with the support of his fellow members. Held at the Barbican Centre, one of the London's major cultural venues, the event saw a move away from the rigid structure of one-hour lectures and towards dynamic formats such as interviews, panels and pechakucha style presentations.

Designed to be adapted by the host country each year, it has been incredibly satisfying to see the identity morph and change with every passing year. There are several lovely examples that prove this included at the bottom of the project from Seoul, Mexico City and Sao Paolo.


Event photography: Lee Mawdsley