This Means This. This Means That.

Within my design education, many years ago now, a topic I always found interesting was
semiotics. I believe it to be of great benefit to any creative or marketing person working
professionally, or student. It often strikes me that more people don't know about semiotics 
and have never heard the term. I'm not saying that you can't be insightful or a good designer
without knowing about the subject (that would be snobby) but it will certainly add to a skill set.

I asked and got this book for xmas, to top up on the subject as there aren't so many books
about the subject. It will form the main chunk of a talk I'm giving next month to 60 people, 
my biggest group so far. I'll be posting any relevant and useful things while reading ;-)

The Phaidon Archive of Graphic Design

If you like or work with graphic design, you should probably buy this ;-)

More info...

BARNEY BUBBLES - The Life And Work Of...

Just in time for xmas comes this book about the very underground, or under-hyped graphic artist Barney Bubbles,

who sadly committed suicide back in 1983. A much admired designer by most of the UKs current industry legends

and design heros. I became aware of his name 3 or 4 years back and was intrigued I hadn't heard of him... which

fuelled me to find out more. He mainly worked within the music industry, and in the late 70s started to work entirely

anonymously, or under many layers of pseudonyms. Which probably explains why little is known about him. 

I must put this on the xmas list for Santa, or pick it up from Magma...

PETER SAVILLE - Arkitip

Arkitip go from strength to strength with their guest collaborations, this time with design legend Peter Saville...

FABIEN BARON - Liquid Light 1983-2003

Fabien Baron has a new book published by Steidldangin! There is no limit to the skills of this truly all-round

creative. It just reminded me that I must get a copy of the Interview magazine (the one with Kate Moss on the cover)

sure to be a collector item with all the design details ;-)

i-D SOUL - New Book

I love i-D mag, have loads tucked away in storage :-( It's great how they have stayed true to their vision over the years 

where so many other similar magazines have faded away. This new 600-page visual anthology is packed full of ideas,

images and personal insights from some of the most creative names in contemporary fashion, music, art and design. 

Order from the great Taschen...

Contributors include: Ron Arad, Giorgio Armani, Christopher Bailey, David Bailey, Bono, Neville Brody, Hussein Chalayan, 

Alber Elbaz, Olafur Eliasson, Tracey Emin, Tom Ford, John Galliano, Bob Geldof, Marc Jacobs, Stephen Jones, 

Nick Knight, David LaChapelle, Helmut Lang, Maison Martin Margiela, Chris Martin, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, 

Kylie Minogue, Yoko Ono, Miuccia Prada, Terry Richardson, Anita Roddick, Renzo Rosso, Paolo Roversi, Peter Saville, 

Wing Shya, David Sims, Raf Simons, Paul Smith, Mario Sorrenti, Sam Taylor-Wood, Juergen Teller, Wolfgang Tillmans, 

Dries Van Noten, Patrick Vieira, Ellen Von Unwerth, Alek Wek, Vivienne Westwood, and Yohji Yamamoto.

WOW!

VIVENNE WESTWOOD - Opus Book

Vivenne Westwood is a true legend and innovator! Somebody I rate very highly in creative terms.

It was great to catch her retrospective exhibition at the V&A in 2004, really inspiring!

Now she releases a very limited edition book, Opus. 900 copies, 9 different covers - all signed.

The book gives insight into her designs and collections, it also contains various images of friends

and family taken on a very special Polaroid camera. Lovely, but not sure of the cost ;-)

THE VICE EFFECT - A Must Have!

I recently received The Vice Photo Book from those lovely chaps at Vice Scandinavia. And it's no letdown! 

Since 1995 Vice Magazine have been influential in documenting all parts of youth culture (and beyond) 

from underground cults and odd scenes around the world. But it was their raw honest photography which really 

made it's mark and spawned so many budding photographers, creating almost a DIY attitude and style. 

Packed full of the best editorial over the years, this book is a must have!

If in Stockholm, check out the 2 exhibitions at AG925 - Ryan Foerster and PUB - Jamie-James Medina. 

All through May.

SAGMEISTER - Inside / Outside

Take a look at the new Stefan Sagmeister book, a lovely simple idea! 

Then make and add your own - Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far.

R.I.P. - Paul Arden

On Tuesday last week, advertising great Paul Arden sadly died after a long illness.

As executive creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi during its heyday, Arden helped create some classic

ads for clients such as British Airways and Silk Cut. In his latter years he made a name for himself as

a writer with books such as, It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be and his second

book, Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite (both are must reads)

A true maverick who will be sadly missed within the advertising industry and beyond!