Area [Paperback]

Editors of Phaidon Press (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Taken for granted for a long time, graphic design has over the past decades crept more and more into the consciousness of the general public. And rightly so: in our increasingly visual culture, it is an omnipresent form of creativity, something we are all influenced by whether we like it or not. Every logo, every poster, every CD cover confronts us with graphic design in some shape or form. It is the basis of all visual communication and arguably the most pervasive creative discipline of our times. Essentially an exhibition in a book, this title presents the 100 graphic designers arranged in an A to Z order. Each of the designers is featured over two double-page spreads, which are extensively illustrated with examples of their work. Alongside these examples, a 400 word text by the selecting curator explains his/her choice and illuminates the depicted work. The reproductions are further complemented with extended captions and biographical information on the designer. The book is characterised by the enormous diversity of the 100 graphic designers. Showcasing talents from Minneapolis to Macao, Area opens the door to the work of emerging designers practising in more than 25 countries around the world. It reflects a unique multitude of styles, ideas, and influences: an endless range of creativity from the playful, digital graphics of Eboy in Berlin, to the regional aesthetics of Chaz Mavyanne Davies of Zimbabwe or Ahn Sang-Soo of Korea; from the political awareness of Iran's Reza Abedini, to the more sober and traditional designs of the Italy's Leonardo Sonnoli. Beyond this extensive survey of contemporary graphic design, the 10 curators were also asked to choose what they consider a design 'classic,' i.e. a piece of printed design from any era that is of particular significance to them. These 'classic' pieces are showcased in the shorter, second part of the book, each accompanied by a brief text explaining how the 'classic' piece fits into the selecting curator's general view and philosophy of graphic design. Despite the large number of already existing titles dedicated to graphic design, Area promises to be unique in its exciting design, its clear and interesting concept, its truly global scope, and its fresh and unconventional content.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anthon Beeke (Netherlands): Provocative and acclaimed poster designer, as well as the designer of several Dutch design publications. He is an AGI member and a visiting professor at numerous universities, including the Rhode Island School of Design. Fernando Gutierrez (UK/Spain): A partner at Pentagram, one the most important international design firms, he is considered at the forefront of contemporary magazine design. He is the founder of the influential literary and photographic review Matador and is the creative director of Colors Magazine. Ken Cato (Australia): Founder and Executive Chairman of Cato Purnell Partners, an internationally acclaimed corporate design firm based in Australia with offices in SE Asia and South America. He was also the president of the AGI from 1997-2000. Nick Bell (UK): Artistic Director of Eye Magazine, arguably the most important and influential graphic design publication of the moment. Omar Vulpinari (Italy): Head of the graphic design department at Benetton's innovative Fabrica school, built and funded to encourage and foster some of today's most interesting young talents. Serge Serov (Russia): Considered the spokesman of the design community in the former Eastern Bloc, he is the organiser of the Golden Bee international graphic design biennial held in Moscow. He is also the designer of a Russian design journal (title tbd). Shigeo Fukuda (Japan): One of the masters of modern Japanese poster design. An AGI member and professor at the Tokyo Arts University, Fukuda's work is published and exhibited around the world. He has won numerous international awards. Stefan Sagmeister (USA): Known for his unorthodox approach and commercial work for the music industry. He has designed graphics and packaging for clients such as the Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, and Aerosmith. His outstanding work for bands has received, amongst many other prizes, four Grammy nominations. Uwe Loesch (Germany): One of the key poster designers of the last decades. His work has received many awards and is published and exhibited around the world. He is a professor at Wuppertal University in Germany and a member of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale). Werner Jeker (Switzerland): A living legend of Swiss graphic design, he is the co-founder of the studio Les Atelier du Nord in Lausanne and the winner of many international awards. An AGI member, he is also a professor at the universities of Karlsruhe and Lausanne. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714845159
• ISBN-13: 978-0714845159
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 10 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you buy it, you wont be sorry, May 18, 2004

By 

David Akiyama (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Area (Hardcover)

This book is an incredible asset to anyone involved in design professions or the creative process as a means of income.
There is little text, but lots and lots and lots of visualizations. The graphics are stunning, from the cutting edge to the everyday of the New York Times. The point is that this book runs the spectrum of graphic arts - and these are very fine arts on display. Each graphic artist was hand selected by a jury of critics - the format is similar to many of Phaidon's (the publisher) other titles in related design/art professions. 10 x 10 in architecture, Vitamin P in contemporary painting, Cream3 and Fresh Cream as well. I happen to own many of these other titles and find them all fascinating, artistically enriching and visually compelling.
I cant say that everyone will be as awe struck as I, nor can I say that all will have some sort of deep, penetrating and profound revelation viewing this book. What I can say is that this is a quality piece. Even if these artist/professionals are not new to you, or the mediums and concepts employed are old news, the book is still well made and keenly organized.
I know nothing of the finer points to graphic design. Sure I know a few names such as Paul Rand, but I know that I enjoy opening this book and examining the contents. Good design is good design and I am very fascinated by the thought of applying the visual stimulation and pleasure, gleaned from this book, to the work I do as an architect.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands Down the Best!, December 19, 2003

By 

Jordan Irwin (Orange, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Area (Hardcover)

Being a creative designer you constantly look for graphic design books to help inspire the inner ideas and concepts that you long for. On the weekends, you constantly look for inspiration and design to help cure your fix. While, during the week you strive at your job or in school pumping out projects to feed the deadlines that you are constrained by. If you are like me and absolutely cannot get enough design than you should read further. I can honestly say that, this is the best design book that you can ever buy. Looking at Graphic Design books every week (I'm talkin 1000's of books) you see the same sort of books, about 100 pages 1 example or project every 3 pages and the price is about $40. Area is the one book that blew me out of the water for how much explosive design can actually grace a cover. Their is about 2 to 8 designs per page! The book has 448 pages! You cannot go wrong with this book. Do not waste your money on any other book, Area will impress and will be a fountain of creativity and design for all creative designers. I want to congratulate every designer that is in this book on outstanding work! Also thanks to Valerie Vago-Laurer, Patrick Busse, Jesse Donaldson, Julia Hasting, and Karen Farquhar, and Phaidon for anoter impressive book. If you are kind of shakey about the price, don't be, just get a copy as soon as you can, $69.99 is a steal for a book at this magnitude. You won't be dissapointed! Being a creative design student this is the best weapon in your arsenal!

BUY IT!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't go wrong!, July 24, 2006

By 

englisquare (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Area (Paperback)

After seeing a friend's copy of area I purchased two copies; one for myself and another for my bestfriend, for we are both inspiring designers.

You just can't really go wrong with this book. It's such a good introduction to fabulous designers around the WORLD and it's amazing to see such different styles all together next to each other in one book. also it's a great way for people to want to learn more about these great designers and learn more about their work and grow to be even more inspired by them.

People in this field all know inspiration is the key, and this book is def. full of it. just can't go wrong with it.