Designer: Ken Briggs

Ken Briggs was born in 1931 in Derbyshire, studied at Chesterfield School of Arts & Crafts and later at the Central School of Arts & Crafts in London, alongside notable designers like Ken Garland and Colin Forbes. After National Service, he worked briefly as a typographer at Everetts. In the late 1950s, Ken freelanced for clients like the Arts Council and Rathbone Books while teaching part-time. In the 1960s, he won the design contract for The National Theatre, where his use of photography and Letraset set the visual tone for its future designs.

Explore related designers including Ken Garland and Hans Schleger. See also British Modernism and 1960s graphic design history.

Articles Featuring the Work of Ken Briggs

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Ian McLaren and Ken Briggs produced exceptional work for a range of clients in the arts and culture sector. Their client included CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament), The National Theatre and the Arts Council.

Members Content

The typographic designs produced for the National Theatre by Ken Briggs are not only iconic and depict the Swiss typographic style of the time, but remain a key example of the creation of a cohesive brand style.

Artefacts Featuring the Work of Ken Briggs

The Antique Dealers Fair and Exhibition, Grosvenor House, June 11-26, 1969

From the graphic design archive:

The Antique Dealers Fair and Exhibition, Grosvenor House, June 11-26, 1969

  • Format: Exhibition Catalogue
  • Designer/s: Briggs and McLaren (Ken Briggs and Ian McLaren)
  • Year: 1969
The National Theatre, Some Facts and Figures 1963/1967, 1967

From the graphic design archive:

The National Theatre, Some Facts and Figures 1963/1967, 1967

  • Format: Brochure
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs
  • Year: 1967
The Sterling Craft: Five Centuries of Treasures from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, 1966

From the graphic design archive:

The Sterling Craft: Five Centuries of Treasures from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, 1966

  • Format: Exhibition Catalogue
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs and Ian McLaren
  • Year: 1966
The Grosvenor House, Antiques Fair, Catalogue, 10-24 June 1971

From the graphic design archive:

The Grosvenor House, Antiques Fair, Catalogue, 10-24 June 1971

  • Format: Catalogue
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs and Associates
  • Year: 1971
A Book of Answers, Moura-George/Briggs, 1970s

From the graphic design archive:

A Book of Answers, Moura-George/Briggs, 1970s

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Moura-George/Briggs
  • Year: 1970s
Much Ado About Nothing, The National Theatre, London, 1960s

From the graphic design archive:

Much Ado About Nothing, The National Theatre, London, 1960s

  • Format: Programme
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs and Susan Channells
  • Year: 1960s
Triple Bill, The National Theatre, London, 1968

From the graphic design archive:

Triple Bill, The National Theatre, London, 1968

  • Format: Programme
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs and Susan Channells
  • Year: 1968
Long Day’s Journey into Night, The National Theatre, London, 1971

From the graphic design archive:

Long Day’s Journey into Night, The National Theatre, London, 1971

  • Format: Programme
  • Designer/s: Maura-George / Briggs Ltd
  • Year: 1971
The Master Builder: Talking with Ken Briggs, 2009

From the graphic design archive:

The Master Builder: Talking with Ken Briggs, 2009

  • Format: Book
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs
  • Year: 2009
The Freeway, The National Theatre, London, 1975

From the graphic design archive:

The Freeway, The National Theatre, London, 1975

  • Format: Programme
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs
  • Year: 1975
John Gabriel Borkman, The National Theatre, London, 1975

From the graphic design archive:

John Gabriel Borkman, The National Theatre, London, 1975

  • Format: Programme
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs
  • Year: 1975
The National Theatre 1967/68 Booking Period Programme, 1967

From the graphic design archive:

The National Theatre 1967/68 Booking Period Programme, 1967

  • Format: Programme
  • Designer/s: Ken Briggs
  • Year: 1967

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