Customer Reviews

Designagent Km7: License to Design

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of few graphic design books I've seen that features great techno-style graphic design. Big shapes, attitude, a lack of natural colors (shiny metallic ones instead) make it some serios eye candy for the high BPM taste. OK, so sometimes it's a tad self indulgant, and there are areas that I would like to see more or less (like fewer rave invites), but it makes up for these limitations with plenty of whack.

KM7 shows us his weapon. It's colorful and it is silver. It has rounded edges, it is slick, chic and highly recognisable. KM7 is one of the leading Graphic Designers in Germany at this time. And the book (or should I say, the books, since it is a two in one publication) just shows that he knows it. He also knows that he is not alone. Not only is he not alone inside the global arena, he also gives credit to the ones working with him in Frankfurt. There is a group picture, almost like the "Last Supper of Design", with Klaus Mai in the centre and his friends as the apostles in the beginning of the publication. Licence to Design is more than the work of one person, but all of the involved agree that Klaus Mai is KM7 is Design Agent KM7 is the new star of German Graphic Design. And he is more than just an information organizer. The books show his ability to increase the value of information or even create the message. "Design Agent KM7" is an important source of inspiration for the ones to come. KM7 is certainly going to be copied from now on. But he is more than a designer, he has the licence to design and is already working on new missions. And so are the apostles from the pages of his book. This two-pack publication is a must have for every well informed designer anywhere in the world. Written by the one and only Louis A. Flanigan it is also a feast for the fans of the unsurpassed "Are You Ready" Magazine.

This book offers an encouraging perspective for any young designer.

It is possible to stay on track and to stay true to oneself, work hard and to become very, very successful. Klaus gave up his lucrative Art Director position at the trendy advertising agency "Trust", in Frankfurt am Main in order to live his dream. He did want to be the master of his own vision. He managed to stay on track, stay true to himself. This book is a travelogue of his marvelous journey. KM7 managed not only to develop his unique style, he also set new standards and opened visual trails for others to follow, he shaped the way we see certain places, certain kinds of music, certain kinds of objects. He went from designing a full blown corporate identity for a short-lived techno-nightclub in Frankfurt (XS), on to larger and larger, more and more successful projects. He can now look back at a body of work for clients like swatch, Phillips, Sony music, Volkswagen and MTV Europe o name just a few.

An amazing story told in amazing images, using amazing and life breathing typography. KM7 uses the computer, yet he manages to use his Macintosh as a tool. His designs are born in numerous hand drawn sketches and then translated into the perfection of mostly vector-based creations. This enables him to keep his sense of humor throughout the process of creation, down to the excellent end results. Every young designer should have this book on his/her shelf. It is a great source of inspiration and encouragement. A great gift.

His designs are the best that I have ever seen, period. This book is an inspiration to everyone who sees art as a concrete representation of one's core values. A love of existence and of everything that makes it great is prevalent on each page.

From japanese anime to techno to James Bond and back again, no worthy subject is left untouched.

Whether you are a designer or just a fan of image and art, this man knows his stuff. You should too.

Just as was about to leave the bookstore, I reached for one last book to look at...and im glad i did. Absolutly beautiful design. Pure inspiration for any designer.

Don't waste your hard earned pesos on this one. The content and the designs of this book are unbearably corny. The quality of typography is embarrassing. There are so many inconsistencies in this book that it makes you believe that it was not proof-read before publication. If you are looking for a design book to buy, get "Soak Wash Rinse Spin."

this has to be the most amazing book on graphic design and the most telling of the power of its visual magic Klaus Mai delivers page after page of strong content: tight use of type and most whimsical images married to most sober vector art- a beautiful fusion of shapes and colours and movement in 2D

hardly is there another designer that is so fluid in his mastery of all the elements of design

Nice collect of design work from a well respected, very talented designer. Would have appreciated a little more narrative becuase it is always interesting when you can tap into a creative's skull. However KM's work speaks volumes, alone.

I picked up a copy about a month ago, I thought it was pretty cool, but he uses alot of the same elements in his design work. Actually he over uses them. To those that already blew their money on it, look at the designs, and count how many times he uses the same images over and over.

The layout is ok, some pages make me feel ill.What made me laugh was the spelling on the cover. "Licence to design", this guy neds a "LICENSE" to go back to school and learn to spell. I mean Licence is kind of a correct way of spelling it, but its uncommon. But hes KM7-Design Agent, so he has to be uncommon. 99% ego, .5% imagination .5% human.

Honestly, his work isn`t impressive at all.Shapes with manipulated images really isn`t that technical.Not to meantion he uses alot of dingbats.

nothing good about this book unless you love to stare at images of strange techno-babble mixed with lots of colorful shapes and the whole "graffitti-like" spread of design. it's more of a flip through graphic book than anything to really inspire.