AisleOne Essentials

Posted on December 10, 2008December 10, 2008 Posted in Books, Design, Grid Systems, Merch, TypographyTagged Books, graphic design, grid system, literature, store, Typography19 Comments

I’m big on books, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their educational value. Duuuuhhhhh!!!!!

Anyway, it think it’s important for any designer to have a good collection of design oriented books from which they can seek inspiration, ideas and knowledge.

So I’ve put together an Amazon store called AisleOne Essentials to act as a single place for all designers to find the most essential books on graphic design, typography and grid systems. These are all “must reads” in my opinion.

The collection will grow over time so keep checking back for the latest books and I also welcome you all to send me suggestions. If you know of a book that should be included please let me know. Thanks.

The Typographic Desk Reference

Posted on December 3, 2008December 3, 2008 Posted in Books, Merch, TypographyTagged classification, guide, kerning, leading, reference, terms, type, Typography7 Comments

For a type geek such as myself, it doesn’t get better than this! I know John will definitely love this.

The Typographic Desk Reference is a quick reference guide of typographic terms and classification with definitions of form and usage for Latin based writing systems. TDR contains over a thousand facts on typography.

Written and designed by Theodore Rosendorf the guide includes a foreword by Ellen Lupton, author of the excellent book Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students. Can it get any better than this?

The principal text is set in Adobe Caslon, designed by Carol Twombly in 1989.

TDR will be available in January 2009 but you can pre-order a copy from Oak Knoll.

Null Acht Magazine

Posted on November 19, 2008November 20, 2008 Posted in Books, Design, International Typographic StyleTagged austria, graphic design, International Typographic Style, magazine, minimalism, modernism, newspaper, newsprint9 Comments

I have a certain obsession with magazine. Most of the time I could careless what the content is, I’m more concerned with the format and the design. For the most part, I buy magazines because they look pretty and the design inspires me.

Take this magazine for example. Null Acht is an Austrian newspaper/magazine about Soccer (Football for you folks over the pond) designed by Alois Gstöttner. I can’t read it and I’m not particularly interested in Soccer, unless of course it’s the World Cup and Italy is playing, but the design definitely gets my attention. I personally love when I see magazines like this where the design has been paid much attention. Monocle is another well designed magazine that comes to mind. Null Acht is absolutely stunning if ask me. I have to get my greedy little hands on a copy. You can see more images of the mag over at Form Fifty Five.

Also, check out magCulture, a blog about magazine and newspaper design.

On a side note, one of my graphic design dreams is to design a full magazine or newspaper and it might happen very soon. Stay tuned.

80 20 100 Catalogue

Posted on November 18, 2008November 18, 2008 Posted in Books, Design, Grid Systems, TypographyTagged book, catalogue, event, graphic design, grid system, minimalism, modernism, wim crouwel2 Comments

Eye Magazine just posted some images of the Crouwel 80 20 100 exhibit catalogue designed by David Quay. Very nice indeed. I love how all the pages have a visible grid. One unfortunate thing about catalogue is that a good chunk of it is in black and white. Bummer.

You can download a PDF version of the catalogue to get a good look at it or you can order a copy for yourself and enjoy it in the comfort of your home.

The Vivid Gallery site has a small photo gallery of the event. I wish I were able to attend. Did anyone get to go? How was it?

Quantum of Solace Hardback

Posted on November 14, 2008November 14, 2008 Posted in Books, Design, MerchTagged book, graphic design, hardcover, James Bond, printing2 Comments

Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories is a stunning book designed by Angus Hyland and Fabian Herrmann of Pentagram that is a collection of Ian Fleming’s Bond short stories. Gorgeous.

Hyland created a cloth-covered hardback with cover imagery restricted to a silver foil-blocked image of Bond’s infamous Walther PPK (shown here with silencer). A subtle diamond pattern is debossed on to the boards, which combined with deep burgundy endpapers evokes the discerning elegance of Bond’s world. An embossed manila bellyband with typewritten cover information on the label evokes the official documents of the period.

Bastardised on Page 76

Posted on November 14, 2008November 14, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, MerchTagged bunch, graphic design, initiative, logo, logotypes, made in bunch2 Comments

I just received my copy of Bastardised by Bunch and what a gem it is. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet then what the hell are you waiting for? Some really great stuff in here. If you do have it and happen to turn to page 76 you’ll see my submission in all it’s glory. Honestly, it’s a real honor to be included with such talents as BB Saunders, Chris Hewitt, Craig Oldham, Darren Firth, David Corti, Michael Cina, Si Scott and many more.

You can see some more shots on my Flickr page.