Benjamin Hubert’s design journey has been captured between the covers of a tactile hardback that gives readers an inside view of this complex industry
Photography courtesy of LAYER and Phaidon
Phaidon, the premier global publisher of the creative arts, has released a new book charting the work of London-based design agency LAYER. Set in the heart of east London, the design studio was founded in 2015 by Benjamin Hubert, the award-winning British designer who became its creative director.
The monograph, which will launched in September during London Design Festival 2022, is written by design curator and commentator Max Fraser, and offers a page-turning overview of the human-centred designs LAYER has become so well known for over the years.
Across six chronological chapters, the book traces Hubert’s journey from graduate designer to establishing and subsequently expanding his own studio. In doing so, it offers a candid and insightful account of how to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
Photography courtesy of LAYER and Phaidon
The idea for the book was first conceived in 2010, when Hubert founded his first studio, Benjamin Hubert Ltd. Since these first conversations, the idea persisted as the studio grew and evolved into LAYER, and was finally brought to life following a conversation with Fraser.
The resulting book covers plenty of ground and is a reflection on the first decade of the studio and its design process. Featuring six chapters, each exploring a different stage of Hubert’s career and collaborations with some of the world’s leading design brands, including Bang & Olufsen, Airbus, Vitra, Braun and Moroso.
The 256-page book is brought to life with its elegant presentation, clean layout and almost 300 photographs cataloguing key projects and prototypes alongside the studio’s signature watercolour sketches, giving readers a beautiful insight into LAYER’s universe and its innovative approaches to design. Offering plenty of discovery and a source of inspiration for designers, architects and creatives alike, LAYER is a book that offers insights into the realities of the design industry.
Photography courtesy of LAYER featuring Moroso’s Cradle Chair, 2013
What’s more, the hardback book is wrapped in a tactile linen textile cover onto which the graphic title has been screen-printed, making it a tactile treasure in a world of increasingly digital experiences, and also reflecting the brand’s ethos of creating mindful and memorable experiences.
‘It’s been 12 years since I started my own studio and seven years since I founded LAYER – and it’s an honour to collaborate with Phaidon and Max Fraser to produce a monograph on the studio’s work to date,’ says Hubert.
‘It was a challenging yet rewarding process producing the book and looking back on our work has given us the opportunity to consider the way we work now and in the future. It also gave us insights into how our work has evolved and is testament to the talent of the team and our creative partners over the years. LAYER remains a work in progress, but this book is an amazing moment to celebrate how far we have come.’
