The Vignelli Canon

Posted on January 9, 2009January 9, 2009 Posted in Design, Grid Systems, TypographyTagged graphic design, grid system, guide, International Typographic Style, posters, reference, rules, swiss style, typeface, Typography17 Comments

I introduce to you, The Holy Grail.

Massimo Vignelli has published an amazing 96 page book on better understanding typography in graphic design, according to him. The book gives specific details on Vignelli’s methodology and approach as well as how he decides on paper sizes, typefaces and other tangibles. There is also a nice section on grids.

It’s an excellent book that every designer should read. The book is available for free online in PDF format but I do hope they print this one out because it’s a masterpiece in my opinion.

BBDK Launches Luigi Bormioli Site

Posted on January 7, 2009January 7, 2009 Posted in Design, Grid Systems, Industrial Design, TypographyTagged glass, Gotham, graphic design, grid system, helvetica, minimalism, typeface, Typography, user experience, websites6 Comments

My good friend Duane King and his uber-talented crew at BBDK have just launched a stunning new site for Italian glassware company Luigi Bormioli. I personally consider this site to be one of the best sites on the web in terms of design, typography, functionally and usability.

The design is ultra-clean and simple and the great use of white space makes it all feel very elegant and sophisticated. Designed on a simple grid, BBDK was able to create an eye pleasing layout that enhances the gorgeous photography. It’s all topped with a precise use of Gotham and Helvetica. How can you go wrong with those wonderful typefaces?

The site is extremely easy to navigate and the slight transitions and interaction points make the it a joy to use, and work harmoniously with the minimal design. This is an excellent example showing that it’s possible to create an engaging site without the use of Flash. Ian Coyle of Superheroes, who designed and developed the amazing ShopComposition site, worked with BBDK to develop the Bormioli site.

If this site isn’t recognized for it’s brilliance, then there is something really wrong with this world.

You can read more about the project over at Thinking for a Living.

Type Nuts

Posted on January 5, 2009January 5, 2009 Posted in TypographyTagged avant garde, desktop, fonts, iphone, type, typeface, Typography, wallpaper3 Comments

Well, it’s good to be back! I want to wish everyone a happy new year.

To start off the new year we have a sweet site by John at I Love Typography called Type Nuts that features type-themed & type-inspired iPhone & desktop wallpapers. Some really nice stuff on there including a new wallpaper I designed for the site.

Experimental Jetset 2008 Relaunch

Posted on December 30, 2008December 30, 2008 Posted in Design, Grid Systems, International Typographic Style, TypographyTagged dutch, graphic design, Grid Systems, helvetica, minimalism, modernism, posters, Typography9 Comments

I had to come out of hibernation for this one. Danny, Marieke and Erwin from Experimental Jetset just emailed me about their new site. They’ve added a ton of new work, most of which I’ve never seen before, and all of it is just blowing my mind. Check out their new site but I will warn you, get a bib.

Spam Annual Report

Posted on December 22, 2008December 22, 2008 Posted in Advertising, Books, Design, TypographyTagged Advertising, booklet, graphic design, statistics1 Comment

Sexy annual report about spam by Daniel Burger.

Via Human Resources

Alte Haas Grotesk

Posted on December 18, 2008January 8, 2009 Posted in TypographyTagged fonts, International Typographic Style, josef müller-brockmann, modernism, Swiss, type, typeface16 Comments

I found this excellent font last night while surfing for old Swiss design books. Alte Haas Grotesk by Yann Le Coroller, is a free Grotesk/Helvetica look-a-like with a soft feel to the edges. The author describes it as a typeface that looks like it were printed in an old Brockmann book. It definitely has that feel to it. I’m looking forward to using this in a design.