KATALOGUE Volume 1 by Wilhelm Finger

Review:

“KATALOGUE is a unique international project a vibrant forum for creative people. A space where they can explore, share and challenge ideas. A place where they feel free to experiment beyond their normal boundaries. All artists are being granted total creative freedom, there are no rules and no briefs.”

A compendium book of 43 artists who are given free reign. I find it increasingly important that independent projects attempt to cover the present state of art. Off the beaten road, the works shown are provocative sometimes and definitely in the now.

Book website has got additional information.

Stencil Graffiti Capital Melbourne by Jake Smallman & Carl Nyman

Review:

Tagging falls into the criminal vandalism category in most cities worldwide. Australia has a slightly different approach, as you can find out in the book.

Stenciling requires a string of very unusual set of visual abilities. You need to be able to see both in 3D and in outlined shadows as well as isolating the features that you want most standing out. Coupled with the not so ubiquitous spray can and working fast, pretty amazing results.

“Through intimate interviews, dynamic layouts and a riot of examples the artists are shown in the context of world street art culture. Stencil Graffiti Capital: Melbourne is the first book to explore the city's thought provoking, visually rich stencil graffiti scene.”

Book website has got additional information.

Worldwide Identity by Robert L. Peters

Review:

Profoundly insightful, contextually relevant and outstanding production for this book published by Rockport.

Including contributions from 40 countries and 300 identities this is a monsterish load of data come true, an almost impossible summit to attain, and surely a potential nightmare to manage... but to author, who has fun (experience?) climbing real mountains, this topic is just the right challenge for him... a natural extension!

Forever curious, well travelled and a man of heart, his thirst to understanding and his openness makes this book probably one of the most relevant, not because super brands and logos are (again) disserted about, but because of his aptitude to convey his passion and knowledge in the most valuable way: words.

To be honest, I was a bit reluctant because... well... you know, not another one. But within a couple of pages reading (just the intro is worth the book) - I was floored. Really!

This is not a gorgeous book to only look at. It's a book to take to your fav spot and read... and reap. It's a feast for the eyes and the mind. In fact, that is exactly what a great book should be.

If I was a writer, this is the book I would have like to have written!

Communicating With Pattern series: Circles and Dots + Stripes by Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire

Review:

What an intringuing concept! With flying colors this serie of books published by Rotovision, will lead you down the path of history, cultural context and how and where some familiar forms related to circles, dots and stripes were used.

Easy reading, yet overflowing with tidbits that are opening up a different scope on some familiar items.

Well documented, proof of intense research, erudite detailling exposed and demonstrated with tons of relevant pictures and examples makes these two books a must have for future reference.

There is no discrimination as to the sources for constructing sharp and witty arguments: textiles, fashion, interiors, architecture, graphics, and product and industrial design... dizzying!

Truly the next time you will want to use these in your design, a newly found depth will spring up and get you thinking before applying.

As you know, I personally have used circles a lot in the past couple of years and it's rewarding to understand more what is behind my creative process.

I recommend them highly.

The Singapore Fling: A reminiscing look into DesignEDGE Conference & Expo 2005

Review:

A lot of events - we can't possibly attend all - produce post-event artefacts that document the look and feel, capture highlights in extra footage and interviews. Fast becoming collectibles, The Singapore Fling, which was produced by IdN, happens to be one of those gems.

The IdN produced DesignEDGE Conference & Expo was the kick-off event for the inaugural Singapore Design Festival 2005. Some of the most creative units from our planet were invited to share their brilliant minds, making it one of the most memorable event of its kind.

The sheer size and scope of this festival, stretching for several weeks offered a tantalizing menu of activities.

The guests of DesignEDGE demonstrated precisely what it was that drove them to overturn the prevailing rules of the game, and how they arrived at the inspiration to see things from a whole new perspective.

The second best thing to being there.

DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model by Jeremy Keith

Review:

The DOM is anything but...dumb. In fact, I've always found it scary and repulsive. I have always shied away from trying it... and altogether, avoid having anything to do with it. Period.

Mind you, - I luv my CSS - but hey, now thanks to Jeremy, I may try to write my own scripts. Why?

Jeremy Keith is gifted at vulgarizing. Complex concepts and techniques are made comprehensible by the use of simple analogies that make sense, help to tame the complexity of JavaScript syntax and logic as well as starting to fight the Big Bad DOM.

This book is neither a recipe book nor the TUCOHCJS (The Ultimate Collection Of Hot & Crispy JavaScripts). The approach is more global and is focused on how to think before you do, in regards to standards based web design.

Get a framework for applying dynamic behaviour to web pages by writing scripts that integrate into accessible websites. Complete separation between content and behaviour - even the rollovers don't even have any event handlers in the html. Now that's separation!!!

Well written and aimed at web designers. Perfect for beginners who want to learn the right way from the onset and for advanced developers who are already building standards based websites... having (like me) always refrained from using JavaScript.

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Using the code 'netdiver' (cryptic, eh?) will knock 25% off the price of the eBook. Offer valid until July 31.

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Visit book companion website for more info & errata section.

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Reviewed by J-F Simard, a special collaboration.

FADINGS. Graffiti to design, illustration and more by Siggi Schlee

Review:

This is a way cool book that profiles 24 artists that all have roots in graffiti and how they have evolved and used their talent in commercial and personal work.

An ode to the power of expression and how to manifest it, is all theirs to decide. The intracacies of their paths and how for sure, infiltration of main stream design is demonstrated. Take a trip inside the root, choices and recent work of xtra talented individuals / agencies.

The organization of information, production and concept is out of the ordinary and makes it one of the most beautiful book.

Plus, the accompanying cd-rom if full of goodies (animation, images, fonts, games, wallpapers and more).

Get ready to be awed!

HORT by Eikes Grafischer Hort

Review:

A couple of years ago I discovered HORT via their infrequent coverage of design via NR1 + NR2 + NR3. When I heard they had a book upcoming, I wanted to review it. I was not disappointed.

The culmination of a collaboration between Eike König and Martin Lorenz, HORT design studio projects are always exhuberant, impossibly out of the ordinary and surprising.

“Hort, the German word for an after school center for kids, is also one of Europe’s most innovative design studios. True to its name, the Frankfurt-based company is organized around giving both its employees and a network of collaborators the opportunity to have fun, experiment and grow. The resulting work presented in this book is polarizing, relevant and truly inspiring.”

Enter the journey to boundless imagination.

Return on Imagination by Tom Wujec and Sandra Muscat

Review:

Tom develops new products at Alias, the Oscar winning industry leader in 3D computer animation software.

“Today’s mantra is speed flexibility and radical innovation. Wujec and Muscat offer numerous illustrations to argue that putting imagination at the center of business can lead to remarkable transformations. Some good stories and examples, a punchy graphics style that makes the book certainly more reader friendly, but not a lot by way of practical how-to insights or techniques.”

Must have reference book!

The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Grow, or Manage a Business by Martha Stewart

Review:

“Now, for the first time, Martha Stewart shares her business knowledge and advice in this handbook for success. Tapping into her years of experience in building a thriving business, Martha will help readers identify their own entrepreneurial voice and channel their skills and passions into a successful business venture.

Her advice and insight is applicable to anyone who is about to start or expand a venture of any size, whether it is a business or philanthropic endeavor, but also to individuals who want to apply the entrepreneurial spirit to a job or corporation to increase innovation and maintain a competitive edge.”

Must read book!

Fresh Dialogue Five / New Voices in Graphic Design by Nicola Bednarek (Editor) / Interviewer Chip Kidd

Review:

Condensed and densed with insights. Learn where they were, are and going. Some of the artwork and designs listed are breathtaking. I really like the laid back, sense of play and honesty. Definitely a good read and worthy addition to my library!

“Five years ago, the American Institute of Graphic Arts launched Fresh Dialogue, a series aimed at bringing together emerging design talent and providing them with an open forum to discuss their own work and the direction of the field. This year's participants come from the disparate worlds of fashion, publishing, web design, advertising, and art. They are: Rodrigo Corral, Alan Dye, Agnieszka Gasparska, Alice Chung and Karen Hsu.”

Must have reference book!

Dos Logos Volume 2 by Robert Klanten (Editor), Nicolas Bourquin (Editor)

Review:

Excellent redux. This book, like volume 1, are must have reference books because of the sheer amount of quality information.

In my view the categorization gives it even more relevancy.

Book website has got additional information.

FREE?FONTS edited by Steve Campbell & Marie Campbell

Review:

Debut book is an ode to font designers from pros to noobies to scholar and commercial foundries.

A handy pocket size refence book. Who's inside?

Mark Simonson, Eduardo Recife, prolific Ray Larabie (of which I luv the Deftone, Cretino, Dysepsia, Golden Girdle fonts which I've been using for years).

BÜRO Destruct and our very own powagirrrl, Nina David amongst others as well as Hiroshi Kuzumi which is a new name to me.

Talented Emil Bertell (luv his fenotypes) and the insane project of Justin Gallaghan who has repertoriated all of the fonts Dysney resorts and theme parks have used...

And discovered a home grown foundry, Subtitude who has a freakin' cool web site.