Vaughan Oliver, Pixies and Cocteau Twins graphic designer, has died

Vaughan Oliver, the graphic designer responsible for Pixies, Cocteau Twins, and The Breeders artwork, has died aged 62. His death was announced on Twitter yesterday, by friend and fellow graphic designer Adrian Shaughnessy.

A mainstay (and the first full-time employee) at the British label 4AD, Oliver oversaw the design of covers for bands including This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, The Breeders, and Modern English. He also became art director of Pixies, a relationship that began with 1987’s Come On Pilgrim and ran all the way up to the band’s seventh album, Beneath the Eyrie, released this year.

Other notable collaborations include David Lynch’s 2011 album Crazy Clown Time and Jóhann Jóhannsson’s IBM 1401, A User's Manual (2006).

A statement posted to 4AD’s website reads: “We are incredibly sad to learn of the passing of Vaughan Oliver; there was no-one else like him.”

“Without Vaughan, 4AD would not be 4AD and it’s no understatement to say that his style also helped to shape graphic design in the late-20th century.”

Many of the artists associated with Oliver have also paid their respects on social media.