Book Review: Pattern Magic

If you’re interested in fashion design, at some point you’ve probably pulled apart clothing from a fancy department store trying to figure out how it was made. Once you start to understand the fascinating process of pattern making, all the separate pieces required to create a garment start to make sense.

You can look at a piece of clothing and mentally visualize how it was created. Sometimes, though, even the best pattern makers are stumped by fantastical avant-garde manipulations. This is where Pattern Magic can give you a hand. Created by Tomoko Nakamichi, a professor at Japan’s Bunka Fashion College, the book has gained a cult following with its detailed instructions on how to create extremely intimidating designs.

Whether you’re interested in the technical processes or simply getting a glimpse at the “magic” behind some mind-bending designs, this book is sure to be a treasured piece for any fashion devotee, especially now that its being produced in English.

February 2, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Disruptive Pattern Material

When most of us think of camouflage, our minds immediately drift to military or military-inspired designs. As pattern enthusiasts, however, we know there’s more to the story than meets they eye.

Hardy Blechman took it upon himself to delve into the vast world of camouflage – charting the pattern’s history from its roots in nature, through to its adoption by the military and on to its current popularity and use within modern civilian culture. Over 6 years, he’s gathered over 5,000 images and interviewed an extensive cast of consultants. From the expected military uses to art, biology, music and fashion, Disruptive Pattern Material comprehensively examines the art and science of camouflage with a little something for everyone. Click here to purchase.

January 28, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Graphic Design for Fashion

When you’re studying at university, fashion design and graphic design rarely overlap and are usually a part of different curriculums. What we learn as we move through the industry, however, is how very frequently the two are intertwined. As always, and especially to a degree in recent years, a fashion designer’s brand, and therefore their, branding, packaging, look books, etc. are paramount to the line’s success.

Jay Hess and Simone Pasztorek’s book, Graphic Design for Fashion, compiles a global selection of the best and brightest, adding exclusive insights from both clients and designers. Reflecting upon the exciting graphic developments in the field of fashion, the book is a great resource for those new and old.

January 10, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Drip. Dot. Swirl

We recently included illustrator, Von Glitschka as one of our twitter influencers and it’s not surprising to see that he’s continuing to make his mark in the design world. His most recent project, Drip. Dot. Swirl, is a treasure trove for pattern lovers. The book includes 94 original designs ranging in style from intricate knot work and subtle florals to retro wallpaper and alien-inspired mazes. He’s also included several application examples.

Additionally, the book contains a DVD with all of the EPS source files along with PDF tutorials for each pattern swatch. Beyond its technical value, Glitschka’s book is an inspirational resource for beginners and seasoned designers alike. For more info, click here.

December 24, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Geometric Book

It’s holiday season and if you’ve got a pattern lover in your midst (ahem!), we have the perfect book for you. Sisters, Nicole and Petra Kaptiza, who run their own independent design company, created Geometric Book, a beautiful tome unto itself, with page upon page filled with exciting collections of colorful and monochromatic pattern illustrations.

The book also comes with a CD containing 100 pattern fonts – an extensive array of designs to get inspired by. This is a fun and useful tool for designers young and old to explore the medium of pattern making, not to mention, this book will sit beautifully on your coffee table. Click here to purchase the book.

December 10, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Naive

Classic Modernism has been a huge influence on young designers in the past few years. By reinventing graphic elements from the 40’s-60’s, such as silkscreen printing, hand lettering, woodcutting and folk art, and integrating them into modern works, the artists of today are recreating a discernible renaissance in graphic design. Naive: Modernism and Folklore in Contemporary Graphic Design beautifully documents the work of these bourgeoning designers who have been inspired by legends such as Saul Bass, Charley Harper and Alexander Girard. The vivid examples range from illustration, poster art, editorial, book cover design, album art, stationery and textiles.

Image credit: Goodgrain

November 24, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik