This book is beautiful and humongous- it may now be the thickest book I own. The hardcover clothbound book is a collection of ten curator’s picks of the 100 best graphic designers from the last five years (plus an extra set of their favorite 10 classic works). Over 30 countries are represented and there’s more than 1500 photos of posters, books, magazines, typography, and packaging included in the book. The photos are arranged really pleasingly, as if they were bordered photographs, neatly set up. There is a real range of styles in the book but I was still surprised to see Brian Chippendale and Andy Rementer (two BBIC favorites) included as “graphic designers.” My theory is that Dan Nadel, one of the ten curators, the founder of PictureBox Inc., might have had something to do with that. I think my favorite new find from this book is Portugal’s Barbara Says whose typographic constructions make me gasp- especially the poster for Cinema Portugal 2007, which uses letters made of theatre seating charts. This book retails in stores for $90.00 but Amazon has it for almost half the price- well worth every penny! Thanks Phiadon!

© Julia Rothman 2007