ABC Verlag

Posted on September 1, 2011September 1, 2011 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, Grid Systems, International Typographic StyleTagged Books, graphic design, international typographic, rare, vintage4 Comments

Abc verlag

ABC Verlag (Edition) was a book publisher based in Zurich, Switzerland that released a superb collection of graphic design and fine art books between 1962-1989. I’ve been personally obsessed with these books and have been on a hunt for them for the last 4 years. They contain some of the best graphic design of the last century, and each book covers a different topic.

I recently uploaded photos to my Flickr of my three most recent additions to my collection:

History of the Poster – 1971 – Josef Müller-Brockmann
Design Concept Realisation – 1975 – Wolfgang Schmittel
Color Sells Your Package – 1969 – J.P. Favre

I can get lost in this stuff for days.

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.

More Rare Swiss Design Books

Posted on April 22, 2008April 22, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, Grid Systems, TypographyTagged graphic design, graphic design books, Grid Systems, helvetica, International Typographic Style, Swiss, Typography7 Comments

These next two additions to my collection have to be the most rare and the most expensive but also the most satisfying. Publicity and Graphic Design in the Chemical Industry (1967) and Graphic Design in Swiss Industry (1965) are both by Hans Neuberg and are part of the excellent ABC Verlag collection and contain page after page of some of the finest design work you’ll ever see. From packaging to letterheads these books will keep you hypnotized for hours… if you can find them.

You can see more photos from both books on my Flickr page.

Swiss Sports Posters

Posted on April 21, 2008April 21, 2008 Posted in Books, BookShelf, Design, TypographyTagged graphic design, graphic design books, posters, Swiss, Typography1 Comment

I added a new book to my collection this weekend titled Swiss Sports Posters that features… well… Swiss sports posters. The book is a collection of the best sports posters covering more than a century. Printed in 1983 and authored by Karl Wobmann and Max Triet, Swiss Sports Posters contains brilliant work that will get any designers juices flowing.

Check out the full gallery on my Flickr page.

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.