Wolff & Olins: the reunion, 1 of 4

Creative Review

Earlier this year, Michael Wolff and Wally Olins were reunited at the Kyoorius Designyatra in India to discuss their lives and work, both together and apart

In September this year, Michael Wolff and Wally Olins were reunited on stage for the first time since going their separate ways in the 80s. In a session at the Kyoorius Designyatra conference in Mumbai, which was chaired by Creative Review's editor Patrick Burgoyne, the pair talked about working together, splitting up, what they achieved and what they think of the branding world today.

We have four exclusive extracts of the talk for you here on CRTV, provided by Kyoorius Designyatra. In this first extract, the pair talk about their close working relationship and what drove them mad about each other.

See Patrick's full report on chairing the four-day Designyatra conference over on the CR Blog.

4 Comments

Thanks for posting this, this is a rare but great look inside these great minds of design and advertising.
Arjen
2009-10-19 16:28:24


Fabulous.
(Thank you very much, for posting these.)
Dav
2009-10-19 17:19:06


Entertaining. Easy to see from this why they each went their separate ways, and who was the 'suit'

Also, the story about the paint company identity, although intended to be humorous, reflects badly on Mr Olins when he added that the first scheme was sold to another company 3 weeks later. The realities of paying the bills perhaps but it undermines much of his written output as a branding guru

I look forward to the remaining extracts
Ron Stephens
2009-10-20 15:27:31


Refreshingly open and unguarded conversation, maybe because they were relaxed and far from home? Left brain and right brain people indeed - fascinating insight into the essential combination of very different talents needed to create, innovate and then sell ideas to clients.

On reflection I agree with Ron Stephens, an unwise comment by Wally O, pleased with his his ability to sell to an unwitting client. While Michael Wolf's behaviour probably added to the 'mystique of the designer' and integrity of Wolf Olins, much as stories about Alan Fletcher add to the Pentagram myth.
Steve Hutton
2009-10-20 20:04:18


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