This impressive and interesting V & A exhibition covers all aspects of British creative practice over the past six decades. Beginning with the work of Abram Games (who we featured in a mid-April Journal post) for the 1948 Olympic Games and Festival of Britain, and moving through eras and disciplines examining the evolution and impact of British creativity.

Ranging from the ubiquitous – road signage, royal mint coin designs – to the iconic – E Type Jaguar, Apple Mac – to the subversive – Peter Goldmans Strawberry Fields film, early Westwood and McLaren. Each selection simultaneously conjures the mood of an era and sparks personal recollections. Some of our highlights (in no particular order); the bold British Rail identity by Design Research Unit, one of the first multidisciplinary design consultancies; the longevity of Margaret Calvert and Jock Kinneir’s road signage standardisation; the drama of Alexander McQueen’s Escher-inspired Horn of Plenty collection dress with dogtooth swirling into magpies; Ridley Scott’s Hovis advert. The exhibition runs until 12 August ‘12.