It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Marcus Fairs, founding editor and editor-in-chief of the online magazine Dezeen.
Marcus Fairs started Dezeen in 2006 growing its popularity and influence very quickly. The online design website is now described as 'The world's most influential architecture, interiors and design magazine.'
Marcus was an entrepreneur, talented journalist and compelling speaker. He was a long-standing supporter of NSEAD, attending and representing the creative industries at The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Art, Craft and Design in Education (APPG) on several occasions. Marcus first contacted NSEAD regarding the English Baccalaureate, having read The NSEAD Art and Design 2016 Survey Report. He wrote up and shared our survey findings in Deezen. In the same year, Dec 14, 2016 Marcus was a speaker in one of our APPG meeting. He spoke passionately for and with evidence to prove the rise, growth and value of the creative industries in the UK. Four years later, 20 Nov 2020, he accepted another invitation to give evidence on an APPG panel responding to the question: 'What are the long-term benefits of investing in art, craft and design education for learning, culture. wellbeing and society?' Marcus spoke of the inequalities in the creative industries; he also called on those involved in the industries to more effectively and collectively lobby for art and design education.
He was never shy of using his voice, his powerful position and huge online following to advocate for an arts and design rich education for all. He valued equity of opportunity in arts education and in the creative industries, supporting initiatives to encourage under-represented communities into architecture and design.
Marcus Fairs died suddenly after a short illness, 30 June 2022, aged 54. He will be hugely missed by all who knew him, including design and architectural educators whose work he consistently championed and spoke on behalf of.