A Sign Systems Manual

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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.        

Help Save An Icon Of Design History

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Completed in 1966 and installed in the cafeteria of the CBS building, the Gastrotypographicalassemblage wall of type was created by legendary designers Lou Dorfsman and Herb Lubalin. The wall remained in the CBS cafeteria for over 20 years until it was removed in the 80’s and left to rot somewhere. It might have been lost forever if it weren’t for Nick Fasciano and The Center for Design Study, who are now restoring it to its original form.

Help with the restoration by sending your donations to The Center for Design Study and save an important piece of design history. I’m going to make a donation, I have to be a part of this. I wish there was a list of all the typefaces used on the wall. That would be sweet.

Check out more photos on the centers Flickr page.        

Rare Design Books

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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