Barney Bubbles wasn’t just a designer – he was a visionary. His work brought colour, dynamism and a sense of bold expression to every project. He taught me that design isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about emotion, energy and creating something that speaks to the heart. Raissa Pardini
This is the first in an occasional series of contemporary practitioners providing their thoughts on the continuing relevance of the work of Barney Bubbles.
Concert poster
From Tuscany and based in London after sojourns in Berlin and Glasgow, Pardini’s work expresses vibrancy and wit, showcasing her considerable talents as a multi-disclipinary designer who is also a radical typographer and joyous creative director.
Concert poster
‘Coming from a tiny town where nothing much ever happened, I took my first solo trip to London at 14,’ said Pardini recently. ‘I quickly learned the art of sneaking into Trash and the indie clubs, full of makeup and nerves, hoping no one would clock my age. Back in Italy, all I could think about was being involved in music. I hustled my way into a local radio station, then hit the national ones, eventually landing my own show.
Record sleeves
‘I played bass with local pals in their garages, spinning records just to secure a couch to crash on after gigs—most of which I seemed to be attending alone. Getting my driver’s license was a game-changer, as it meant I no longer depended on others for rides to gigs. By then, I had built my own communities around different cities, and being part of the music scene became my lifeblood.
Concert poster
Magazine design
‘I was printing zines in my mom’s office, and that’s when I discovered my love for design too.’
Book designs
As her portfolio shows, Pardini’s designs are collected by the V&A and she has worked with major brands and bands from MTV and Nike to Blur and The Rolling Stones but retains a street-level engagement having DJed live and on radio stations, played in such groups as Loaded and collaborated with the amazing likes of Yassassin and Cumgirl8 (who she manages – see below for a great promo directed by Leah Hennessey featuring a Susan Sontag AI hologram – you have to sign in to watch it but it’s worth it).
++ A Box of Bubbles is housed in this impressive 25 x 30cm casing decorated with one of Barney Bubbles’ most familiar artworks, for Ian Dury & The Blockheads’ 1978 single Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick ++
++ The box contains a copy of The Wild World of Barney Bubbles with a different hard cover jacket from the regular version ++
Very exciting – the first advance copy of A Box of Bubbles has arrived… and it looks amazing.
++ The boxed version of Wild World also has different end-papers based on patterns produced for Elvis Costello & The Attractions 1979 LP Armed Forces ++
++ Barney Bubbles’ ‘Hamer And Sickle’ photography paste-up, 1979. Dimensions: 25.5 x 29.3cm ++
++ The four appearances by the logo on the inner and outer sleeves of Nick Lowe’s Labour of Lust LP ++
The photographic paste-up of one of Barney Bubbles’ most notable designs is among the late designer’s incredibly rare and highly collectible artworks included in the online sale currently being conducted by international auction house Bonhams.
Welcome to the online celebration of the late graphic genius Barney Bubbles, spanning his extraordinary designs for music, including record sleeves, posters, advertising and ephemera, as well as art direction of books, the underground press and music magazines and his landmark promo videos, private paintings and furniture pieces.
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: No feed with the ID 1 found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
