WEEKLY EMAIL: APRIL 13, 2012

FEATURED THIS WEEK : RICK POYNOR

The Enduring Influence of Richard Hollis

Outside of Britain, Richard Hollis is probably best known for his books Graphic Design: A Concise History and Swiss Graphic Design. Both volumes are indispensable components of any serious graphic design library. Hollis has also had a long and distinguished career as a designer working for publishers and galleries. An exhibition in London provides the first public opportunity to see and assess the entire shape of his output.
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY : RICK POYNOR

The Closed Shop of Design Academia

The academic publisher Berg has just sent me its design catalogue for 2012. As I checked out recent and forthcoming titles, I felt exhilarated by these signs of industrious scholarship, serious thought and intellectual commitment to design, and regretful that so little of this material is likely to make it into the field’s everyday discourse, let alone the public realm. Shouldn’t it be part of an academic’s brief to communicate more widely?
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY : JOHN THACKARA

'Beyond Good Intentions' – The Movie

Humanitarian crises caused by civil wars or natural disasters, such as in Haiti, often trigger a wave of support from us, the public. But our support raises two difficult questions: first, do our generous donations actually have the desired effect – or any positive effect? and second, what kind of evidence is available to ensure that any debate about aid is well-informed and that the people most affected are given a prominent voice?
READ MORE

FROM OUR SPONSORS

Study graphic design and typography this summer in Rome: the birthplace of the Western typographic tradition is a not-to-be-missed experience. A unique way to learn about type, book & lettering design, as well as architecture, art, archeology, epigraphy & even Italian cuisine.
Masters Workshop >>
Study with some of the best designers in Italy >>
SVA Website >>

This spring Sappi is hosting a national road show, in collaboration with 826 National, to launch Special Effects, Volume 5 of The Standard. Issue 5 shows designers how the creative use of special effects can make a printed piece dimensional, tactile, intriguing and sometimes interactive. The next event is April 12 in Toronto.
More about Volume 5 of The Standard >>
View the road show schedule and registration details >>
Find out more about Sappi here >>

PLACES : JERRY HERRON

The Last Pedestrians

In the first half of the 20th century, in Detroit, the architect Albert Kahn, artist Diego Rivera, and industrialists Henry and Edsel Ford all contributed to shaping the image — and the mythology — of the city as industrial powerhouse. Jerry Herron argues that their collective vision foreshadowed the dramatic decline of Detroit in the second half of the century. Here Herron traces the intersecting lives and careers of Kahn, Rivera and the Fords.
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY : MARK LAMSTER

The Whitney Museum's Other New Building

After decades of trying to expand its Marcel Breuer flagship, and with the white flag now waving high over Madison Avenue, the Whitney has finally managed to sneak an entire new building right under Breuer's projecting facade. Symbolically it's perfect: it looks like a giant shipping crate, which is precisely what it is.
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY : ROB WALKER

Where We Work

People are fasinated with the artist's studio, the writer's desk. But if you think about the space where creative labor actually gets done, and what writers and designers really look at all day, the relevant framework is probably not a room, or a window. It’s a screen.
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY : JOHN FOSTER

Accidental Mysteries, 04.08.12

Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of visual curiosities curated by John Foster, highlights images of design, art, architecture and ephemera brought to light by the magic of the digital age. This week's focus is St. Louis Bus Passes from the 1940s.
READ MORE

OBSERVER MEDIA : DEBBIE MILLMAN

Roman Mars

In this audio interview with Debbie Millman, radio producer Roman Mars discusses going to college at 15 to study science and then leaving science for radio, the connection between 'zines and radio, how to tell a good story and the reason he named his show "99% Invisible".
READ MORE

BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Sappi, Ariva and 826 National debut The Standard 5: Special Effects and you're invited.
Get Toronto tickets >>

Design History, Theory and Practice in Italy >>

An Annual Celebration of Excellence, Enterprise and Intent
Register Now >>

All kids deserve a shot at their American dream >>

AUDIO: DESIGN MATTERS ARCHIVE

Steven Heller

Steven Heller, art director, educator and author of over 100 books on design.
Listen >>
More Design Matters Archive >>

CHANGE OBSERVER: PROJECT ARCHIVE

Conflict Kitchen

Report on Conflict Kitchen, a project by artists affiliated with Carnegie Mellon to foster cross-cultural understanding through food.
READ MORE

OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE

Paper, Plastic, Canvas

On Decorum

Bodies & Fonts

PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2001

Village Vices: The Contradiction of New Urbanism and Sustainability

A critique of New Urbanism focusing not on its traditionalism but on the unsustainability of its planning models.
READ MORE

RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED

Drawing Techniques
Peter Jenny

Figure Drawing
Peter Jenny

The Artist's Eye
Peter Jenny


WEEKLY EMAIL: APRIL 13, 2012
FEATURED THIS WEEK : RICK POYNOR The Enduring Influence of Richard Hollis Outside of Britain, Richard Hollis is probably best known for his books Graphic Design: A Concise History and Swiss Graphic Design. Both volumes are indispensable components of any serious graphic design library. Hollis has also had a long and distinguished career as a designer working for publishers and galleries. An exhibition in London provides the first public opportunity to see and assess the entire shape of his output. READ MORE
OBSERVATORY : RICK POYNOR The Closed Shop of Design Academia The academic publisher Berg has just sent me its design catalogue for 2012. As I checked out recent and forthcoming titles, I felt exhilarated by these signs of industrious scholarship, serious thought and intellectual commitment to design, and regretful that so little of this material is likely to make it into the field’s everyday discourse, let alone the public realm. Shouldn’t it be part of an academic’s brief to communicate more widely? READ MORE OBSERVATORY : JOHN THACKARA 'Beyond Good Intentions' – The Movie Humanitarian crises caused by civil wars or natural disasters, such as in Haiti, often trigger a wave of support from us, the public. But our support raises two difficult questions: first, do our generous donations actually have the desired effect – or any positive effect? and second, what kind of evidence is available to ensure that any debate about aid is well-informed and that the people most affected are given a prominent voice? READ MORE FROM OUR SPONSORS Study graphic design and typography this summer in Rome: the birthplace of the Western typographic tradition is a not-to-be-missed experience. A unique way to learn about type, book & lettering design, as well as architecture, art, archeology, epigraphy & even Italian cuisine. Masters Workshop >> Study with some of the best designers in Italy >> SVA Website >> This spring Sappi is hosting a national road show, in collaboration with 826 National, to launch Special Effects, Volume 5 of The Standard. Issue 5 shows designers how the creative use of special effects can make a printed piece dimensional, tactile, intriguing and sometimes interactive. The next event is April 12 in Toronto. More about Volume 5 of The Standard >> View the road show schedule and registration details >> Find out more about Sappi here >> PLACES : JERRY HERRON The Last Pedestrians In the first half of the 20th century, in Detroit, the architect Albert Kahn, artist Diego Rivera, and industrialists Henry and Edsel Ford all contributed to shaping the image — and the mythology — of the city as industrial powerhouse. Jerry Herron argues that their collective vision foreshadowed the dramatic decline of Detroit in the second half of the century. Here Herron traces the intersecting lives and careers of Kahn, Rivera and the Fords. READ MORE OBSERVATORY : MARK LAMSTER The Whitney Museum's Other New Building After decades of trying to expand its Marcel Breuer flagship, and with the white flag now waving high over Madison Avenue, the Whitney has finally managed to sneak an entire new building right under Breuer's projecting facade. Symbolically it's perfect: it looks like a giant shipping crate, which is precisely what it is. READ MORE OBSERVATORY : ROB WALKER Where We Work People are fasinated with the artist's studio, the writer's desk. But if you think about the space where creative labor actually gets done, and what writers and designers really look at all day, the relevant framework is probably not a room, or a window. It’s a screen. READ MORE OBSERVATORY : JOHN FOSTER Accidental Mysteries, 04.08.12 Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of visual curiosities curated by John Foster, highlights images of design, art, architecture and ephemera brought to light by the magic of the digital age. This week's focus is St. Louis Bus Passes from the 1940s. READ MORE OBSERVER MEDIA : DEBBIE MILLMAN Roman Mars In this audio interview with Debbie Millman, radio producer Roman Mars discusses going to college at 15 to study science and then leaving science for radio, the connection between 'zines and radio, how to tell a good story and the reason he named his show "99% Invisible". READ MORE		BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK \| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER Sappi, Ariva and 826 National debut The Standard 5: Special Effects and you're invited. Get Toronto tickets >> Design History, Theory and Practice in Italy >> An Annual Celebration of Excellence, Enterprise and Intent Register Now >> All kids deserve a shot at their American dream >> AUDIO: DESIGN MATTERS ARCHIVE Steven Heller Steven Heller, art director, educator and author of over 100 books on design. Listen >> More Design Matters Archive >> CHANGE OBSERVER: PROJECT ARCHIVE Conflict Kitchen Report on Conflict Kitchen, a project by artists affiliated with Carnegie Mellon to foster cross-cultural understanding through food. READ MORE OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE Paper, Plastic, Canvas On Decorum Bodies & Fonts PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2001 Village Vices: The Contradiction of New Urbanism and Sustainability A critique of New Urbanism focusing not on its traditionalism but on the unsustainability of its planning models. READ MORE RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED Drawing Techniques Peter Jenny Figure Drawing Peter Jenny The Artist's Eye Peter Jenny
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