Posts filed under 'Designers'
Words Are Pictures by Craig Ward
Recently I came across the work of London-based typographic designer/illustrator, Craig Ward.
I am especially intrigued by these bizarre and beautiful typeface experiments. So how did he create these — computer or by hand? It appears, a little of both. He mentions creating some of this work to promote a new software product called Bitfonter by Fontlab. Sounds interesting and I plan to look into it further. But as we all know, the computer does not create magic all by itself. It’s the human being behind the tool that makes this kind of intelligent and captivating artwork. Check out his site Words Are Pictures to see and learn more, including some really impressive letterpress illustrations.
Add comment March 11, 2008
Just for Fun, but Not for Kids
Why? They’re just too pretty for a little rug rat to sink his/her teeth into (trust me, I have a 2-year old)…not to mention, they go for a steep $100 a set! Created by House Industries in a collaboration with the estate of textile designer, folk art collector, architect, graphic and interior designer, Alexander Girard (1907-1993). The 28-block set features alphabets based on a upcoming Girard font collection (also by House Industries), as well as vast array of beautiful sun icons based on designs for the famous NY restaurant La Fonda del Sol (1961). The entire restaurant, including the furnishings, dishware and table linens were designed by Alexander Girard.
Girard has been called one of the most underrated designers of the 20th century. He is best known as one third of the Herman Miller company’s legendary postwar triumvirate (along with George Nelson & Charles Eames).
You can find more of Alexander Girard’s vintage designs at máXimo.
“Toys represent a microcosm of man’s world and dreams; they exhibit fantasy, imagination, humor and love. They are an invaluable record and expression of man’s ingenious unsophisticated imagination.” — Alexander Girard
Add comment January 30, 2008
New Chip Kidd Novel
You gotta love Chip Kidd! From his official site: “The Learners is a brilliant new novel about advertising, electro-shock torture, potato chips, murder, powdered milk, suicide, shoes with buckles, crippling despair, and giant dogs. And the Holocaust.”
As if you don’t already know… Chip Kidd (born 1964) is an American author and graphic designer, best known for his innovative book covers. He is currently associate art director at Knopf, an imprint of Random House. Turning out jacket designs at an average of 75 a year, Kidd has designed cover concepts for books by Michael Crichton, Cormac McCarthy, Frank Miller, Anne Rice, Charles Schulz, David Sedaris, Donna Tartt, John Updike and many others.
His first novel, The Cheese Monkeys is an academic satire and coming-of-age tale about state college art students who struggle to meet the demands of sadistic art instructors. The book draws on Kidd’s real-life experiences during his art studies at Penn State.
Highly highly recommended: Chip Kidd: Book One: Work: 1986–2006
Dwell “Design Leader” Interview Series
Interviewed by NPR’s Renee Montagne (2003)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1524664
Just plain funny (2005)
Add comment January 4, 2008
Paula Scher’s Typography Notebook
From “Detour” presented by Moleskine — an exhibition at the Art Directors Club in NY (summer 2007). The exhibition featured 70 Moleskine notebooks from prominent designers and artists. This one was created by Paula Scher while on vacation in Jamaica.
Art Series : Paula Scher (short film)
One in a series of short documentaries by Hillman Curtis. http://www.hillmancurtis.com/hc_web/film_video/source/scher.php
Highly recommended: Make it Bigger, Paula Scher (2002)
Another film about Pentagram: http://www.hillmancurtis.com/hc_web/film_video/source/fof/pentagram07.php
Add comment January 3, 2008
Sagmeister – Things I have Learned in my Life So Far
Brand New: Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far, Stefan Sagmeister (2008). This book consists of 15 unbound signatures in a laser-cut slipcase. Shuffling the sequence of the signatures will produce 15 different covers.
Also recommended: Made You Look, Stefan Sagmeister (2001)
Add comment January 3, 2008
