“There’s no right or wrong way of designing, just the way that’s right for you.” Introducing 21–87

Based in London’s East Ham, 21–87 is an office for design that draws upon an international community of specialists to create identities, publications, packaging and installations. Founder Matt Busher is a British art director and designer with a stellar history at some of London’s best design studios and a design approach rooted in research and physical materiality. From his school days to the launch of his own practice, there’s no shortage of curiosity. In our catch-up with Busher, he reveals how he began designing in the first place and how his penchant for research, reading and language have led to his exploratory and in-depth design process. PT: Hi Matt, how’s your summer going so far? MB: Hi Poppy, how are you? This summer’s been great, thanks. After working flat out for the first half of the year I’m taking a bit of a breather, doing some travelling and catching up with the stack of half-read books and magazines in my studio space.