Alan Fletcher, one of the true greats of graphic design, died last night. He had been diagnosed with cancer 18 months ago but, characteristically, did not want people to know that he was ill.
As a founding member of both Fletcher Forbes Gill and Pentagram, Fletcher had an enormous influence, not just on British design, but on graphic design the world over. During my time as editor of Creative Review I was very fortunate to have got to know Alan. As well as being supremely talented, he was wonderfully warm, funny and the most tremendous company.
In a world of instant celebrity and unearned adoration, Alan was the real thing.