Computer Arts Issue 147

Posted on April 2, 2008April 2, 2008 Posted in Books, Design, MerchTagged computer arts, graphic design, matt pyke, psyop, universal everything

Joe Russ, the Deputy Editor of Computer Arts, sent me an email about their latest issue. Looks like it’s going to be a good one.

In our main feature this issue: Supersize Design we’re celebrating the work of those designers who are lucky enough to land those really enormous jobs. They project images onto buildings, paint aircraft liveries, or hang lavish banners on 20-storey buildings. Also in this issue we interview Matt Pyke, Universal Everything’s head honcho, we profile Psyop, New York’s $30m motion graphics house and in our new roundtable feature we ask, “Are there enough women in design????

Signet Signal Symbol

Posted on March 15, 2008March 15, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, TypographyTagged graphic design, graphic design books, logo, logotypes, signs, symbols8 Comments

Here’s another rare gem that I managed to find. Signet Signal Symbol, by Walter J. Diethelm and published in 1984, is a book displaying commercial and cultural signs, symbols, logos and icons. What makes this book very unique are the three translucent pages featuring actual design sketches from the designers. An excellent insight into the process and evolution of the designs. Book itself is pretty rare but it makes an great inspirational tool for I need to sign logos and icons.

A Sign Systems Manual

Posted on March 11, 2008March 11, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, TypographyTagged a sign systems manual, Alan Fletcher, Colin Forbes, graphic design, graphic design books, Theo Crosby, type, typeface, Typography9 Comments

This beautiful specimen just arrived today. A Sign Systems Manual by Theo Crosby, Alan Fletcher and Colin Forbes illustrates and describes a simple basic system for designing, contracting and displaying signs. It also dives into the history of alphabets and the development of type. It’s an excellent inspirational resource jam packed with pages and pages of gorgeous type examples.

This is the rarest and most expensive book I own. I found it for less than $100, that’s a great price considering that I’ve seen it for $300.

Rare Design Books

Posted on March 6, 2008March 11, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, Grid Systems, TypographyTagged Books, BookShelf, graphic design, out of print, rare7 Comments

Recently my obsession with collecting rare design books has reached an all-time high. In the last month I’ve added 14 books to my collection. Some hard to find, some not, some expensive, some cheap, but all amazing. I’ve photographed them for your viewing pleasure.

Books:

1999 – 20Th-Century Type Remix – Lewis Blackwell

1974 – Basic Typography – Ruedi Ruegg, Godi Frolich

1989 – Basic Typography: Design With Letters – Ruedi Ruegg

1984 – Corporate Design International – Wolfgang Schmittel

1986 – Experiment Design – Igildo G. Biesele

1977 – Graphic Design Manual: Principles and Practice – Armin Hofmann

1980 – Moderne Werbe Und Gebrauchs Grafik – Hans Neuburg

1964 – Official Graphic Art in Switzerland – Walter Bangerter, Albert Moneda

1986 – Posters by the Members of the Alliance Graphique Internationale 1960 – 1985 – Rudolph de Harak

1978 – Process Visual – Wolfgang Schmittel

1993 – Symbol Signs: The Complete Study of Passenger/Pedestrian-Oriented Symbols Developed by The American Institute of Graphic Arts for the U.S. Department of Transportation

1974 – Symbol Signs: The Development of Passenger/Pedestrian Oriented Symbols for Use in Transportation-Related Facilities

1973 – Trademarks and Symbols: Alphabets, Volume 1 – Yasaburo Kuwayama

1973 – Trademarks and Symbols: Symbolical Design, Volume 2 – Yasaburo Kuwayama

Creative Review Redesigned

Posted on February 25, 2008February 25, 2008 Posted in Books, DesignTagged creative review, graphic design, layout, magazine, redesign3 Comments

The wonderful magazine Creative Review has redesigned the publication. Beautiful.

Grid Systems In Graphic Design

Posted on February 11, 2008October 20, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, Grid Systems, TypographyTagged an exhibit in mono, book, braun, build, graphic design, grids, josef müller-brockmann, spin, total design, typographic, Typography, we are the world27 Comments

This weekend I finally picked up Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller Brockmann. To say this is a great book would be an understatement. I think it’s one of the most important books on graphic design and every serious designer should put this at the top of their must read list. Brockmann does an exceptional job of explaining why a grid is so valuable to a design, and the important rules of setting type on a grid. This book alone will make me a better designer.

I also picked up Brockmann’s other great book, The Graphic Artist and his Design Problems. I haven’t read it yet but I plan to this week.

I’ve added photos of these books to my Flickr page along with:

We Are The World
Total Design: 40 Years
Braun Design Magazine
An Exhibition In Mono Catalogue
Spin/2: 50 Reading Lists