23 Envelope was the name given to the graphic design partnership of graphic designer
Vaughan Oliver
Vaughan Oliver (12 September 1957 – 29 December 2019) was a British graphic designer based in Epsom, Surrey. Oliver was best known for his work with graphic design studios 23 Envelope and v23. Both studios maintained a close relationship wit ...
and photographer/filmmaker Nigel Grierson from 1980–1988. During this time, they created a distinct visual identity for the British independent music label
4AD
4AD is a British record label owned by Beggars Group. It was founded in London under the name Axis Records by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent in 1980 as an imprint of Beggars Banquet Records. The name was changed to 4AD after the release of th ...
through their record sleeve designs for bands such as
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish rock music, rock band active from 1979 to 1997. They were formed in Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth by Robin Guthrie (guitars, drum machine) and Will Heggie (bass), adding Elizabeth Fraser (vocals) in 1981. In 19 ...
,
Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance are a British-Australian band founded in Melbourne in 1981 by Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, before relocating to London the following year. The Australian music historian Ian McFarlane described Dead Can Dance's style as "const ...
, and
This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil were a British music collective led by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the British record label 4AD. Although Watts-Russell and John Fryer were the only two official members, the band's recorded output featured a large rotat ...
.
As 23 Envelope, Oliver primarily designed, while Grierson primarily photographed (occasionally, however, duties would be exchanged and/or overlap). With Grierson's departure in 1988, Oliver saw fit to retire the 23 Envelope moniker, and continue working under the name v23 with new partner Chris Bigg, and various design associates that would come to include Paul McMenamin, Timothy O'Donnell, Martin Andersen and others.
Meanwhile, Grierson focused more on the moving image, directing music videos and TV commercials, both in London and the USA.
A quote from a 2000 article on Grierson by
Rick Poynor explains some of the early history of Oliver and Grierson:
Publications featuring the work of 23 Envelope
The work of 23 Envelope has been well-published in books and design magazines especially under Vaughan Oliver's name.
* ''
Emigre'', No. 9, edited by
Rudy Vanderlans, 1988.
*
''Eye'', No. 10, Vol. 3, edited by
Rick Poynor, Wordsearch Ltd, 1993.
*
''Eye'', No. 37, Vol. 10, edited by
John L. Walters, Quantum Publishing, 2000.
* ''This Rimy River: Vaughn Oliver and Graphic Works 1988–94'', by Vaughan Oliver and Vulva O'Reighan. ()
* ''Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasure'', by
Rick Poynor, 2000. ()
* BBC Television Documentary Programme on 23 Envelope entitled ''23 Envelope Presents''. 1 hour.
* ''Photographs'' by Nigel Grierson, Dewi Lewis Publishing 2014. ()
* ''Passing Through'' by Nigel Grierson, Lost Press, 2020 ()
* ''Lightstream'' by Nigel Grierson, Lost Press publishing, 2020 ()
Notes
{{Authority control
Graphic design studios