21st century designers have nothing to complain about. We have everything, Le Corbusier, Rand and Braun didn’t


Away from technology, and influenced by the extensive work and communications of architects like Le Corbusier, I leased a second London space in 2015. With a new team, we developed broader brand concepts—leading with statement fashion pieces and workwear—that merged performance branding with architecture and modern design. Having witnessed the wastefulness and irrationality of the fashion industry firsthand, I’ve become a vocal advocate for rational simplicity and industry accountability. In 2022, I was made a member of the British Fashion Council, though I left shortly after.

During lockdown, I returned to the technology space, developing UI/UX capabilities to support responsible brands with minimalist, user-focused digital experiences. At the same time, I published several subscription-based design magazines to support the sustainable print industry. And in 2023, I accepted the role of Brand Design Lead at Logically AI—a tech-corporate focused on reporting online mis/disinformation. Embracing experimentation, I designed the now globally recognised [ LF ] logo. It was a rare moment of perfect timing for a project like that.

Over the past decade, I’ve approached design as an open experiment—one that naturally draws in collaborators, and human-centric work. In 2023, I opened a new practice in Cambridgeshire, merging design, publishing, and technology under one roof. I also recently moved out of London to raise our two children away from the constant hum of Boeing 747s, alongside my partner, UK makeup artist Helen Lancaster.

Aside from brand commissions, I am currently researching and designing ecological installation-architecture for a personal project, titled VO|D ™.’

A—Bout

A—HUMAN is an independent practice founded by multidisciplinary designer John Lancaster.

Curated, the work explores the relationship between identity and design, viewing art as a core element of branding. The practice also emphasise that brand aesthetics—whether literal, physical, or conceptual, should now include AI algorithmic generative output, or most certainly fall behind those who do.

‘I come from a small town roughly10 miles from Sheffield, I briefly studied literature and am self-taught in design. I learnt about technology from screenless analogue machines before diving headfirst into my first Apple computer, a Classic II in the 90’s. The shift from analogue to digital was a defining moment in product and brand design—perhaps best symbolised in electronic music and affordable domestic technology.

At 28, I signed as a recording artist to the German label SPV, but was distracted so never fully embraced the opportunity which in hindsight, was a gift, as I’ve been working with branding and design ever since.

British Concept Designer John Lancaster

A—Practice

As a brand in its own space, A—HUMAN is rooted in subcultural influence — established to shape identities and designs that, while often successful, remain uncredited. This anonymity isn’t about rejecting recognition; it’s a deliberate act of curiosity, and where the significance of purpose outweighs the need for desperate attribution.

A—I

AI is primarily used to accelerate decision-making—not to replace the human side of design, but because today’s audiences assess brand credibility quickly. Online, people judge and discard brands toy-like.

PS. If you haven’t yet fully grasped AI or don’t have access to generative content—specifically in design, branding, site UI, product concepts, and brand aesthetics. Contact direct for a demonstration.

Natural History Museum

WKW

ISS World

Savills

MOBO Awards

LOTUS

Realm LA

IVY Chelsea Gardens

Petrus Belgravia

London Evening Standard

The Wolseley

The Delaunay

HUNGER TV

Wiltons, Jermyn Street

Hakkasan

LANSERHAF Clinic

Park Chinois

Royal Academy of Arts

AOK

Canary Wharf 31

Zuma Group

Toto’s

NIPA

Giovanni, Knightsbridge

Gaucho

Royal Lancaster London

The Wellesley Knightsbridge

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

The Corinthia

The Arts Club Hotel, Dover St

Browns

The Beaumont Hotel

ROSL

Royal Albert Hall

Hari Hotel

The Westbury Hotel

The Mandrake Hotel

67 Pall Mall

Select Acknowledgements

Hannah Peel

Sasha

Adrian Utley (Portishead)

Pete McKee

John Paul Jones

Hans Zimmer

Flood

Mark ‘Spike’ Stent

James Malone

Mushroom

Scroobius Pip

Tato Giovannoni

Edith Bowman

David Sylvian

Carl Cox

Robin Rimbaud (Scanner)

Fernando Trocca

Ben Minto (Sweet Justice)

DJ Michailo

Felix Buxton

Trevor Nelson

Graham Connington (Test Dept)

Stephen Morris (New Order)

Dunhill

British Library

Street Studios

Monksleigh

Logically AI / Facts

FWP Productions

ETCH.

Game of Thrones

The Arts Club 1863

Corbin & King

67 Pall Mall

Millenium Hotels

Select Art Installations

‘LOVE + SPACE INVADER’

Sculpture: Summer Art Festival main exhibit feat. Decommissioned Parachutes—Hari Hotel, Belgravia, London (2018)

‘PROVOCATIVÆLECTRONICA’

Art Installation feat. Technics SL1210’s, — Æ / Paul Morrison Gallery, Sheffield (2019)

‘GR—AVY’

Fashion Installation: Permanent real-time exhibit over 3 floors— Arts Club, Dover St, London (2016-2021)

‘LIVE at the EMBASSY’

Art Installation: Temporary installation feat. DJ Graffiti Pig—Vox Studios, Vauxhall, London (2019)

Select Publishing

ELECTRONIC EDITION

ARCHITECT EDITION Vol.001

ARCHITECT EDITION Vol.002

SUBS Vol.001

SUBS Vol.002

POSTCARDS FROM HELL

THE ART OF INSTRUCTIONAL GRAFFITI

THE ART OF FLY TIPPING IN THE UK

THE ART OF TEXTING BACK CONTROL

All Rights Reserved 2025