Vale David Hughes

31st May, 2010

David Hughes passed away on May 18 - at the age of 62.

He was one of the most influential Graphic Designers in the mid 70's and 80's.

In 1980, David formed a partnership with Mimmo Cozzolino after Mimmo left All Australian Graffiti in 1980. For the next 4 years Cozzolino Hughes did a wealth of work that still look as fresh today as it did then.

During those years David was the major designer and had a unique understanding and appreciation of typography, in an era that was before computer type.

If David wasn't happy with a typeface - he would create his own or a new one for projects. He designed a series of Classic Posters for Tomasetti Paper - that included unique Australian Landscapes featuring the amazing photography of Phillip Quirk.

David always saw the unique talents of others and found a way to integrate photography, typography and illustration into campaigns and projects.

Using artists like Food Stylist - Sue Tilley, young illustrator Jeff Fisher and Nigel Buchanan, and young photography Lou D'Angelo - he created award winning and memorable promotions for Tomasetti Paper.

After working together for 4 years, David started out solo as DHD - David Hughes Design, however both David and Mimmo met two young guns David Doyle and Phil Ellett just out of Design College. David Doyle joined David Hughes Design and Phil Ellett joined Mimmo to create Cozzolino Ellett Design D'Vision.

David taught Graphic Design at PIT - Phillip Institute Technology in the late 70's. Several years later David Hughes moved his business to Hong Kong to continue a strong long term relationship with a division of the Shell Company.

On returning from Hong Kong, David turned his creativity to cooking and looked after students who came to Australia to study and brought up a new young family.

David Hughes passed away after a 12 months battle with Cancer.

He came from an Era of Bohemian Lifestyle in Fitzroy - Brunswick area - and it's a shame that young Designers won't have had the opportunity to view his body of work.

By Brian Longmore © 2010

-----------------------------------------

Caption to photo:
They called him the "Redman" - David, Megan Stone and Mimmo, early 80's, outside their studio in Brunswick St Fitzroy.