dddDATABASE

dddDATABASE

© DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion

Why Not Associates

1987–

Profile

  • Company Name

    ホワイ・ノット・アソシエイツ ほわい・のっと・あそしえいつ Why Not Associates

  • Founded in

    1987

  • Area

    U.K / London

  • Profile

    This was established in 1987 by Andrew who handled graphics, David　Ellis and Howard Greenhalf who handled film upon their graduation from the British Royal University of Art. They had already established their reputations and made a name for themselves while they were in school but they then had to see how far they could go in the real world. They chose the name "Why Not" for the Associates half as a joke anticipating the criticism they would get. Why Not Publishing was established in 1990 to replace Why Not Films. They currently also lecture on design at the Royal University of Art.

    Source: "ginza graphic gallery 1993"

    On leaving the Royal College of Art in 1987 (with just three drawing boards) fellow graduates Andy Altmann, David Ellis and Howard Greenhalgh immediately formed the multi disciplinary design group Why Not Associates. For over 25 years Why Not Associates have become known for creating innovative work that pushed the boundaries of traditional graphic design. They have achieved this by a love of experimenting in many different media and applying it through corporate identity, motion graphics, television commercials direction, editorial design, publishing and environmental design. Why Not Associates clients include the Royal Academy of Arts, Malcolm Mcclaren, Pompidou Centre, Royal Mail, Nike, Paul Smith, Virgin Records, Antony Gormley, BBC, Channel 4 and the Tate Modern. In 1991 Why Not Associates collaborated with Edward Booth-Clibborn and Rick Poyner to edit and design Typography Now: The Next wave – which became the most significant, most referenced, best selling survey of typographic trends and thinking of its time. A monograph was published in 1998 by Booth-Clibborn editions documenting the first ten years of their work. A second was published in 2004 by Thames and Hudson which documented another five years. The studio (now run by Altmann and Ellis after Greenhalgh left in 1993 to pursue a directing career) remains as committed as ever to the love of making and experimentation. They still strive to push the boundaries of graphic design and more recent projects collaborating with artist Gordon Young have moved them into the world of public art.

    Source: ggg HP Exhibition Archive "Why Not Associates - We Never Had a Plan So Nothing Could Go Wrong" (2013)

Activities at ddd

Notes