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Alexander Girard [Hardcover]

Todd Oldham , Kiera Coffee , Alexander Girard
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 7, 2011

This massive monograph on seminal designer Alexander Girard covers virtually every aspect of his distinctive career. One of the most prolific mid-20th century designers, Girard’s work spanned many disciplines, including textile design, graphic design, typography, illustration, furniture design, interior design, product design, exhibit design, and architecture. Exhaustively researched and lovingly assembled by designer Todd Oldham, this tome is the definitive must-have book on Girard’s oeuvre.

Many of the designs featured here have never before been published. Oldham carefully went through the entire Girard archive to uncover many treasures as well as all of the most recognizable works by Girard.
 
Girard is well known for his bold, colorful, and iconic textile designs for Herman Miller (1952-1975), which are extensively featured. These were often featured in conjunction with furniture designs by his contemporaries Charles and Ray Eames, and George Nelson. His designs for La Fonda del Sol restaurant (1960) are an experiment with typography as a communication tool and large-scale environmental graphic. Textiles and Objects (1961) was a very influential New York store sponsored by Herman Miller that featured Girard's designs inspired by his travels and folk art collection. The Girard Foundation (1962) houses his own personal and extensive collection of folk art, textiles, toys, and objects from around the world. His complete environmental design for Braniff International Airways (1965) gave him the opportunity to work at all scales with color, graphics, textiles, and furniture design. He designed every aspect of the project himself, from the minute-sized sugar packets and the ticket counters to the graphic colors of the planes themselves.
 
Alexander Girard's playful yet sophisticated designs continue to inspire new generations of artists and designers. The breadth and scope of his work is truly remarkable. This highly anticipated tome is the first major retrospective of this very accomplished and prolific designer, and has been painstakingly edited by renowned New York-based designer Todd Oldham.
 

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, December 2011: Designophiles, start salivating: Alexander Girard is a showstopper of a book, the ultimate tribute to Sandro's astonishingly prolific creative legacy. Edited by acclaimed designer Todd Oldham with vibrant text from Kiera Coffee, this "wonderful, swervy adventure" explores Girard's career with playful elegance. In 664 big pages, it gives a visually stunning tour of his life and work, from sketchbooks, objects, and travel photos to his personal homes, a vast folk art collection that became the Girard Foundation, his famous textiles for Herman Miller, and a generous sampling of independent projects. We learn what inspired him (almost everything) and how he worked (compulsively and joyfully). He designed interiors for five decades, and his plans were always "unimaginably comprehensive," encompassing details down to custom match holders. Girard created interiors that felt exuberantly human in an age that tended toward minimalism, and this book goes beyond aesthetic appeal to celebrate the spirit of the man his grandchildren affectionately called Mouse. --Mari Malcolm

Review

"'Alexander Girard' is an encyclopedic (672 pages!) study of the design guru's influential style, especially his whimsical table settings." —Martha Stewart Living

"At 672 pages and a hefty 15 pounds, 'Alexander Girard,' by Todd Oldham and Kiera Coffee, might appear to be a catalog raisonné featuring all of the prolific designer's textiles, graphics, illustrations, furniture, interiors, products and buildings. In fact, Mr. Oldham said, Mr. Girard 'saved everything—every magazine clipping, every article, every ad.' To make sense of it all, Mr. Oldham and his team sifted through thousands of photos and documents, interviewing relatives and former employees." —The New York Times


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 664 pages
  • Publisher: Ammo Books (December 7, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1934429848
  • ISBN-13: 978-1934429846
  • Product Dimensions: 16 x 2.2 x 12 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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This new book on Alexander Girard is a must for serious students of mid century design. Solo57  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
His work was fun and whimsical at a time the world was heavy and scary. DL  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
It has amazing photos of nearly everything Girard put his hands on. B. Olson  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Mother Lode.....and MORE December 17, 2011
By LKP
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
When this amazing and impressive volume arrived, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee, clamped on my reading glasses and prepared myself to be completely immersed in an overview of an all-time favorite designer. Like Girard himself, this book delivers on ALL levels. It assumes that the readership wants to know everything, and rewards us accordingly. With countless photographs, sketchbook details, fascinating behind-the-scenes views inside Girard's studio/s and archives, swatchboards, event posters, and interviews -- I felt like I had (finally!) taken the crash course on Girard that I have fantasized about for decades. From my first visit to La Fonda Del Sol, back in the day, to my continuing passion for the Girard Collection at the Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe....I have always felt that Girard had so much to teach us about honoring all folk traditions, and using them as a springboard for new/fresh design ideas. From a production viewpoint, this book is a beautiful Object -- a volume that I believe Girard would have loved. Its hard to imagine higher
praise than that! This is a book that will inspire me for years to come.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars THE Bible December 11, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is not an ordinary book on Alexander Girard. This is THE Bible ! It has amazing photos of nearly everything Girard put his hands on.
It's well worth the current discounted pricing on Amazon. For anyone who is interested in Charles Eames, George Nelson, and / or Herman Miller, Inc - this book is a must have! I only wish Girard was still alive filling the world with joy, humor, color and design.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Major Book December 12, 2011
By Solo57
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This new book on Alexander Girard is a must for serious students of mid century design. It includes rare images of Girard, his work and environments. Meticulously researched and produced. It's an important document of a true maverick.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars America's Gio Ponti January 17, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been waiting for someone to tackle the entire creative output of Alexander Girard. It has been worth the wait. This massive book details all of his work from early life in Italy to his life in Santa Fe. The pictures gloriously detail how unique and creative he was. His work spanned the decades and he mastered all styles from the 20's to the 70's. He is America's Gio Ponti(even though he too was Italian). My only critique about the book is that the captions for the photos are at the end of the book. For a book this large and heavy it was cumbersome. Also, the covers are weak so there seems to be a lot of creasing and bumping but it's an amazing book and I would say it is the best design book of 2011.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book April 7, 2013
By DL
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Alexander Girard was arguably the greatest designer of the 20th century. His work was fun and whimsical at a time the world was heavy and scary. To just see the incredible output and range of his work is impressive , but the love of toys and design is so uplifting and positive that you can't help but smile. I grew up in a room that was decorated in one of his geometric wallpapers. I remember vividly staring at it, counting triangles and loving the color as a kid. Today I feel he has inspired in me a love of design I might never had had. This book is a treasure.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book March 21, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
this is one of my best Coffee Table books. It is fantastic.
I would recommend it to anyone interested in Design.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book! December 6, 2012
Format:Hardcover
This book is an absolute must for any designer's reference library. It covers a broad range of Girard's work, captured in beautiful photographs and high quality prints. Definitely one of my primary go-to resources for inspiration.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Girard book purchased on Amazon April 1, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
My husband is a retired architect and long-time fan of Girard's work. This book is not only thorough, but truly conveys the designer's extraordinary creativity and sense of humor. It is oversize and big, lots to enjoy
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