Stanley Donwood: There Will Be No Quiet: The Artwork of Radiohead

by Stanley Donwood, Thom Yorke (Editor)

The prolific talent behind Radiohead’s iconic artwork reveals the creative process that has driven a career spanning more than 20 years.

Widely regarded as one of the most important graphic artists of his generation, Stanley Donwood is the man behind Radiohead’s signature, yet ever-evolving, visual aesthetic. His influential work spans many practices over a 23-year period, from music packaging to installation work to printmaking. Here, he reveals his personal notebooks, photographs, sketches, and abandoned routes to iconic Radiohead artworks. Arranged chronologically, each chapter is dedicated to a major work—whether an album cover, promotional piece, or a personal project—and is presented as a step-by-step working case study.

Featuring commentary by Thom Yorke and never-before-seen archival material, this is the first deep dive into Donwood’s creative practice and the artistic freedom afforded to him by working for a major music act. It is a must-have for fans of the band and anyone interested in graphic design and popular culture.

“This is a book that you need to spend time with . . . the rewards are glorious, and it offers fresh insights into albums and their visuals that you may have thought you already fully understood.” — LA Weekly

Genres: Art, Music, Design, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2019

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely have I read an art book that was so humble and friendly in tone. Mishaps and failed experimentations abound, all of them making for entertaining stories in retrospect, while strange locations, impressions of American culture and bits of British lore give this artistic memoir a lot of personality. The recording of each Radiohead album works as a fantastic time marker, obviously, but everything that happens in between is often just as captivating - and weird. Loved this book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all fans of Radiohead, Thom Yorke and art. Probably not of much interest for everyone else though.

I loved listening to whichever album was released at the time of the art being discussed while reading this book and all of Thom Yorke’s commentary but most of all reading Stanley Donwood articulate his thoughts and process of creating some amazingly stunning works of art that instantly evoke songs in my head that tie into each piece.

[Burd · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this book. Not because it was hard to get into or by any means boring. I wanted to make it last. There is so much to reflect on. Many times I would pick it up and just get lost in the beautiful, sometimes disturbing colour plates of the paintings he was writing about. Other times I would be searching authors and artists he referred to.

I loved the insight he gives into his creative process. It brought me back to my art class days. Learning about the artist's experiences and the occurrences that lead up to a specific piece or technique greatly enhances the appreciation of that work and has always fascinated me.

I was initially interested in reading There Will Be No Quiet because of the author's work on the album covers of Radiohead, a band of which I've always been a big fan. But Stanley Donwood did so much more amazing work in his career. He tells the reader about his many endeavours with humour and humility.

The anecdotes are eloquently written but never pretentious. They are intertwined with social and political commentary and vivid descriptions of interesting people and places. 5 stars easy.

[Seth Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the informal yet intelligent writing style. The stories of each chapter were intriguing, especially as a Radiohead fan. The book itself is beautiful—good quality paper, pictures throughout, and the red text was a unique touch. The plates of the artwork scattered throughout using different paper makes them easy to get to and reference while reading.

[Chris Brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this from the library as a Radiohead fan - no sense to if you're not, probably? - and enjoyed some of the stories around the minotaur and bear iconography, how some of the art from King of Limbs, In Rainbows, etc. came together but this is probably a case of way too much information for the average person. That said, nice little coffee table book for the diehards.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stanley Donwood's account of his artistic development, from the 1990's upto now, is a wealth of information. I appreciate the way he writes and love the wry humor throughout. There Will Be No Quiet is a peek into the methods that formed the various album covers for Radiohead. Yet more importantly, Donwood matter-of-factly describes his thinking, sketches, obsessions, detours and struggles. Reading how he shifts from project to project and aesthetic to aesthetic is comforting. It is exciting to see how Donwood is a fount of creativity.

[Bill Driegert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the process of a massively creative artist who often had doubts, often went down creative dead ends, yet showed continuous curiosity, exploring new themes and all the while seemingly tugged along by Thom Yorke (fittingly the editor) and Radiohead, insomuch as it appeared to give him a forcing function to keep pushing. Each new album cover being an implied sponsor and a milestone to hit, focusing his efforts and offering feedback loops. Definitely worth a read for anyone curious about the creative process and motivations.

[Russell Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book as I am now coming into my third year at Hallam University for Fine Art this has given me a glimpse into how I can approach writing and collecting work for others to read.
I have always adored Stanley Donwood's artwork that accompanies Radiohead albums and they compliment each other perfectly.

[leong kar nim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. The thinking, inspiration and final execution of an art piece is painstakingly detailed by Donwood in a language which is precise and poetic at the same time. As there is no real plot lines, one can proceed at a leisurely pace which is very liberating and refreshing.

[Morten Kølln · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about artistic practice/graphic design that I've come across. Donwood reveals his process in great detail, and unfolds the triumphs and embarrassments of an entire career. Essential.

[fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

donwood says in his afterface "I've deliberately omitted almost anything personal, and I've not written about personal life". what we are left with is an outstanding peek into the artist's creative process, one that shows the true value of 'failure' and mistakes.

[Constanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, fantastic read. I related to so much that Stanley wrote.

[Joe Lilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lavley lavely. V interesting and humanising to go through Stanley's process of creating art with him

[jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

this guy puts the don in donwood

[Adam Helsel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork of my adolescence.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully situated in context, this is an autobiographical account of Donwood’s work, told chronologically. Not only is it a complete collection of his artwork, but the underlying ideologies influencing major projects and time periods were presented. I am very much a fan of Donwood as a stand alone artist but must admit that any window into Radiohead is also much appreciated.