Book By Its Cover

5.16.07
Steven Heller and Mirko Ilic

Not only are we losing the handwritten letter(see yesterday’s post), computers are taking over the design world too. At Also we have morning meetings to discuss what we are going to be working on during the day. We are always reminding each other- don’t use the computer yet- hand draw it first. I think the computer is making it too easy for us. We can manipulate type right on screen and draw right into the computer. But texture and beautiful imperfections can easily get lost. This book co-written by New York Times art director Steven Heller, who has authored, co-authored or edited over 100 books on design and written many articles for Print, Eye, Baseline and I.D., celebrates handwritten lettering. With examples from posters, magazine layouts, packaging and book covers, the book shows how nice the handmade is. I love stitched letters or objects arrranged to make letters. Just seeing handdrawn ornamental type is enjoyable. I keep looking for Ray Fenwick’s work in this book. He is the master of handlettering. I don’t know how they could have overlooked him. Anyway, you can get a copy here.

hand5hand4
hand2hand3


 
9 Comments
05/16/07  11:36am
Kathleen wrote

Oh fabulous book. I love the no computer/draw it first rule. I have definitely become way too computer dependent…I think I may adopt that rule myself!


05/16/07  3:02pm
Mikel Tripulante... wrote

So expressive… That is a piece of lovely art…

I have no words to describe the felling when I see artistic work like this, and when the art looks just like a sketch but at the same time you know that it represents much more… Like Kathleen said: “I love the no computer/draw it first rule.” I depend to much of the computer my self…

:)


05/16/07  5:31pm
jane wrote

I am such a fan of this. The writing becomes so much more a part of the “art” when it is hand done. I enjoy complete works where the writing is the only thing put down as the design.


05/16/07  7:10pm
Janet wrote

Great post! What a fantastic book. Maira Kalman is one of my favorite hand-letterers. I wonder if she was included.


05/16/07  7:47pm
julia wrote

Maira Kalman is in the book. Sara Fanelli too!


05/17/07  7:19pm
rena wrote

see youngna and corie’s letterwriting project!
http://themodernletter.com/


05/19/07  7:47pm
Abbey H wrote

Sara Fanelli is one of my all-time favorites. I wish that her work was more widely appreciated in the US. Her website is lovely too.


07/10/07  5:39am
ward zwart wrote

one of the best books on my shelf :)

(PS: I just found your blog, amazing! love what you’re doing here… keep it up)


07/7/08  7:16am
Nushra wrote

keep it it up.
its amazing



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