Book Review: Contemporary Collage

Collage as art has always been around, though it became firmly established in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Modern artists have been rediscovering the wonders of collage, especially as technology’s helped bend our imagination.

Cutting Edges: Contemporary Collage is an impressive collection of modern collage from over 75 artists who have approached printed matter with their own unique fashion. While this book is undoubtedly excellent eye candy, we think you’ll find it inspiring and an excellent reminder that print is most certainly not dead.

Book cover image from here.

July 8, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Pulled

Mike Perry has created another awesome book, this time exploring the world of screen printing with Pulled. Popularized by Andy Warhol in the 1960’s, screen printing continues to be a popular medium among artists for its remarkable versatility and relatively low cost. Perry has gathered together over 40 of today’s most talented designers who are each pushing the boundaries of this dynamic medium in their own, distinct way. Since the book is sure to get your creative juices flowing, an illustrated how-to section is also included so you can venture to explore screen printing on your own if you don’t already.

Though we missed the release party, the book is on sale and ready to fill your brain with inspiration!

May 25, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: The Design Entrepreneur

If you’re a freelance graphic designer, you probably have a few Clients From Hell stories up your sleeve. You probably also have an ever-growing file filled with product design ideas that need completing. If you’ve thought about venturing out into the world of self-employment, you might find Steven Heller and Lita Talarico’s book, The Design Entrepreneur: Turning Graphic Design into Goods that Sell to be quite useful. The book is filled with inspirational and informative case studies and interviews from designers around the globe, such as Dave Eggers, Maira Kalman, Charles Spencer Anderson, Seymour Chwast, Jet Mous, Nicholas Callaway and Jordi Duró.

Each example explores the why, what and how of the creative process. Heller and Talarico have also included a section of ‘how-tos’ on being a design entrepreneur, ranging from concept to production.

April 20, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Handmade Graphics

We’ve been tooting the horn of handmade design lately, showcasing books filled with DIY inspiration. But oftentimes after paging through, we end up wondering, how did they do that?

Luckily, Anna Wray created Handmade Graphics: Tools and Techniques Beyond the Mouse for that intent purpose. While still filled with a bounty of inspiring designs, this book presents a vast array of mark-making tools and techniques that are explored and illustrated with examples and exercises that will help motivate you to explore their use in your own work. If you ask us, inspiration mixed with motivation make this book a winner.

More images here & here.

April 13, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Contemporary Graphic Design

The world of graphic design is constantly evolving and Taschen’s latest creative endeavor, Contemporary Graphic Design showcases the work of 100 of the world’s most cutting-edge designers today.

Alongside the array of visually stunning and thought-provoking advertisements, CD covers, posters, packaging, websites, and corporate identities are texts by each designer expressing his or her individual approach to graphic design as well as personal insights into the motivations behind the work.

By presenting a provocative survey of the most experimental and forward-looking design from around the globe, this book provides a intriguing snapshot of where the discipline presently stands and hopefully offers directions for the future.

March 2, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: D&AD, Advertising & Design

D&AD is a nonprofit educational charity launched in 1962 by a group of London-based designers and art directors. Created to support and nurture creative professionals, D&AD recognizes and awards the best work coming out of the design industry. Over 20,000 works from design studios, advertising agencies, branding consultancies, film production and photographic agencies, digital media pioneers, and other creative firms from all over the globe are sent in to be reviewed by the D&AD panel of judges. Winners receive the legendary D&AD Yellow Pencil Award—or in the case of exceptional and outstanding work, the rare Black Pencil Award. The annual review, which covers the past year’s best creative work is a testament to the constant evolution of the design world, a documentation of what’s hot in field and, of course, a perfect piece for any coffee table.

February 9, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik