About

Russ Bestley is a graphic designer and writer. He has written a number of books, including Action Time Vision: Punk & Post Punk 7” Record Sleeves (Unit Editions 2016), Visual Research (2004, 2011, 2015, 2023, Germany 2006, Korea 2007, France 2013, Italy 2013, Brazil 2013, China 2023), Up Against the Wall (2002, Spain 2003) and Experimental Layout (2001, Spain 2002). He has contributed articles to Punk & Post-Punk, Cadernos de Arte e Antropologia (Brazil), The National Grid (New Zealand), Design 360° (China), Eye, Zed, Emigré, Street Sounds and Vive Le Rock, and acted as design consultant for the Design Museum, Channel Four television and Radio France.

His book The Art of Punk, was published by Omnibus (UK), Voyageur (North America), Hannibal Verlag Gmbh (Germany) and Hugo et Compagnie (France) in 2012. An extended and updated edition was published by Schiffer Books in 2023.

His PhD thesis, Hitsville UK: Punk Rock and Graphic Design in the Faraway Towns, 1976-84, was completed in 2008 and led to post-doctoral research on punk subcultures and graphic design history.

He has curated exhibitions in London, Southampton, Blackpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle, and has designed books, posters, pamphlets, programmes and other material for the Punk Scholars Network, Active Distribution, PM Press, Viral Age Records and other independent labels, publishers and producers. He is Lead Editor of the journal Punk & Post-Punk and leads the Subcultures Interest Group at London College of Communication.

His band, Watch You Drown, formed in Portsmouth in 1987. They continue to play live and record new and original material.