I’m obsessed with design books, to the point where I’ll buy a book just because it has a well designed cover. What’s interesting (or weird) about my obsession is that I really don’t read much of what’s written in these books, I skim through. If it’s a book that’s strictly text, for example a book about type formating and structure, I’ll read it word for word. But if the book mostly contains great visuals, I’ll concentrate on that for inspiration. I’m definitely more of a visual person.
Anyway, I’m slowing building a nice collection and so I’m going to post the books on here for all to enjoy. In this edition of AisleOne Bookshelf we have a book, a magazine and an exhibit catalogue: Wim Crouwel Alphabets, Grafik Magazine Issue 150 and Wim Crouwel: Typographic Architectures.
Wim Crouwel Alphabets
A book by Kees Broos in which Wim Crouwel explains in detail the reasoning and working methods behind his typefaces. The text is accompanied by many of Crouwel’s illustrations and designs.
Grafik Magzine: Issue 150
This limited edition copy contains a cover hand printed by K2 Screen in London. Since it’s hand printed, each issue is unique.
Wim Crouwel: Typographic Architectures
Published for ‘Wim Crouwel: Architectures Typographiques, 1956-1976’, an exhibition that took place in Paris featuring texts by Wim Crouwel, Catherine de Smet and Emmanuel Bérard and various work by Wim Crouwel. The publication also includes his catalogue work for the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. The catalogue was designed by Experimental Jetset.
You can view more photos of the books on my Flickr page.
“Alphabets” is a fantastic read, im actually doing my dissertation on Crouwel’s “Neu Alphabet” typeface..i was wondering if you knew if the “Wim Crouwel: Typographic Architectures” is available for purchase anywhere? would come in handy
JC, I actually want to read Alphabets cause there’s a lot of insight straight from Crowel himself. It seems like an interesting read. My problem is I get bored easily when I’m reading a book.
Typographic Architectures can be purchaser here:
http://www.youworkforthem.com/product.php?sku=P1215
You should try and give it a read – it gives a great insight into his way of thinking and even how he was somehow predicting how the future would look through his typography, im exactly the same though…i skim through books and just pick out the pretty images, thanks a million for the link..much appreciated, great blog by the way!!!!
Well I’ll definitely read it. Thanks!
You’ll enjoy Typographic Architectures. There are some scans of his sketch books that show the creation of his typefaces. Great stuff.
Wow, very nice blog you have going on.
I have a similar one, only it’s in Dutch.
Fontanel
You’re straight in my Feed favorites from now on! 😉
Thomas, thanks! Nice blog you have there as well. Bookmarked it.