Crossfields 2

Wire are a multi-disciplinary communications agency, based in London, who work for a broad range of clients in the public, corporate, arts and charitable sectors. They produce creative work 'aimed at changing the way that people think and act'.

Their publication Crossfields Issue 2: Home is a compilation of images and prose which explores ideas of what constitutes a home - with contributions from a broad spectrum of creatives, from many different fields. The result is a collection of imaginative, personal interpretations of the subject. Contributors include: The Designers Republic, Jonathan Ellery, Why Not Associates, Paul Davis and the Big Issue Writing Group.



Production values and the quality of printing is good. It's the content with which I have problems. It's a collection of photographs, paintings, collages, and drawings, interspersed with short pieces of prose - all on the theme of 'home' - produced by members of a Big Issue writers group. This is graphic design with a social purpose.

Most of it is what I would call Art School contemporary. There seems to be very little attempt at craftsmanship or skill. Most of the imagery is deadbeat or downmarket; sleaze is recurrent; and if even some of the contributors make a living out of graphic design with this stuff - believe me, there's a chance for anybody.

What I found most interesting was following up the links to the artists' web sites which were listed in the text. There you get a better impression of what they are on about, instead of the fleeting impression that comes from a single image.

However, having said that, it's a good idea conceptually, and technically well executed. I just hope they will go for more style in the next issue.