April 2, 2009 18:20

Joy Division cover designer Peter Saville makes rare LA appearance

The renowned designer discusses his time at Factory Records, new job

Renowned designer Peter Saville, who created iconic album covers for bands including Joy Division, New Order, Suede and Roxy Music, gave his first ever public discussion in Los Angeles about his work last night (April 1).

The Manchester native took part in a Q&A in Beverly Hills in which he discussed his time working with Tony Wilson at Factory Records in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the Hacienda nightclub, as well as his new role as Creative Director for the City of Manchester.

"We founded Factory Records out of idealism and naivety," he said of the legendary label that was home to Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays. He went on to explain that the first money the label made came after Joy Division's singer Ian Curtis died, and they didn't know what to do with it.

"There was a hole in the ground in Manchester and we proceeded to throw Joy Division's money into it and then New Order's," he said, referring to the Hacienda nightclub where the 'Madchester' scene was born.

Speaking about his design philosophy, he said, "I made things the way I wanted them to look. I made covers as objects I wanted to have in my life." He admitted to learning from his clients including Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry.

Lastly, he touched on his new role promoting arts in the northern English industrial city. "Coming from a second city that's not the capitol helps you raise your game, and that's a good thing," he said.

The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess spun tunes at a reception following the discussion.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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