Parallel Strokes [Paperback]

Ian Lynam (Author, Editor, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2008

About the Book Parallel Strokes is a collection of interviews with twenty-plus contemporary typefce designers, graffiti writers, and lettering artists around the world. The book is introduced with a comprehensive essay charting the history of graffiti, its relation to type design, and how the two practices relate in the wider context of lettering. Interviews within include conversations with pan-European type design collecitve Underware, Japanese type designer Akira Kobayashi, American graffiti writer and fine artist Barry McGee/Twist, German graffiti writers Daim and Seak, American lettering artist, graphic designer and design eductor Ed Fella, among others. Parallel Strokes is an enquiry into the history, context, and development of lettering today, both culturally approved and illicit. The result of a six years of research in the combined arts of lettering, graffiti, and typeface design, Parallel Strokes is a collection of interviews some of the best letterform creators in the world today. Chaz Bojorquez talks about the origins of barrio graffiti in Los Angeles and the evolution of the craft. Fellow Angeleno, vernacular graphic designer Ed Fella, speaks about his history in lettering and how he earned the title "The King of Zing" in Detroit design and illustration circles. Famed Japanese type designer Akira Kobayashi discusses Roman and Japanese letterforms while showcasing a lifetime of type design work. European graffiti writers Daim, Seak, and Delta share their thoughts on dimensional graffiti lettering while American graffiti writer Mike Giant talks about vernacular lettering, typeface design, and the evolution of graffiti handstyles. Parallel Strokes is richly illustrated throughout, featuring copious previously unpublished work by the interviewed artists, as well as supplementary illustrations and photographs detailing contemporary and historical trends in graffiti and type design. Contents: "There's Chocolate in my Peanut Butter" essay Interviews with - type designer Akira Kobayashi - type design collective Underware - lettering artist and graphic designer Ed Fella - graffiti writer and fine artist Delta - graffiti writer and fine artist Jerry Inscoe/Joker - type designer Jens Gehlhaar - graffiti writer and fine artist Daim - graffiti writer and fine artist Seak - graffiti writer and type designer Jonas Williamsson - graffiti writer and fine artist Handselecta - fine artist and former sign painter Tauba Auerbach - graffiti writer and fine artist Lady Pink - graffiti writer and fine artist She One - graffiti writer and graphic designer Eklips AWR/MSK - graffiti writer and fine artistEskae - graffiti writer Renos HTK - graffiti writer and fine artistMike Giant - fine artist Chaz Bojorquez - graffiti writer and fine artist Barry McGee/Twist Book specs 244 pages, softcover printed with soy inks on post-consumer recycled papers 3 color cover with metallic Pantone and gloss laminate features custom lettering by Dutch type designers Underware Print run: 1000

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After cutting his teeth writing music reviews for weeklies in New York and a decade-plus span editing and self-publishing zines in California and Oregon, Ian Lynam jumped ship and opened a multi-disciplinary design studio in Tokyo, Japan. Previously, he had spent years working in print shops learning the intricacies of presswork and logged time as a designer and art director for some of the top design firms and advertising agencies in the U.S. His writing has been published in Font Magazine, Art in America, PingMag, and Plazm. Lynam's work has been featured in numerous graphic design books and magazines including Territory, Grafik, One Hundred at 360, and Ten Essential Typefaces for a Lifetime. His studio focuses on pan-cultural identity design, motion graphics, editorial design, and apparel graphics. The studio client roster includes heavy hitters such as MTV, Nike, NEC, and VH1. He is a graduate of Portland State University (B.S., Graphic Design) and California Institute of the Arts (M.F.A. Graphic Design).

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Wordshape; 1st edition (March 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615183077
• ISBN-13: 978-0615183077
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,901,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on Graffiti and Typography, December 25, 2009

By 

Graffiti Diplomacy (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parallel Strokes (Paperback)

This is a fascinating book about lettering, written by graphic designer Ian Lynam. It is a collection of interviews with 19 contemporary typeface designers, graffiti writers and lettering artists from around the world. The book was published in a limited edition of 1000 and is printed with a single color: burgundy on white paper. Along with an excellent essay by the author, it is full of interesting pictures to illustrate the text, all printed in burgundy. It is a brilliant inquiry into the history and development of lettering today. The book explores how lettering relates to, and has been influenced by graffiti, lettering and type design.This is a unique book for hardcore graffiti enthusiasts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, could have been executed better, May 23, 2008

By 

Nathan L. Puza "natepuza" (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parallel Strokes (Paperback)

Let me start off by saying this book is great. A great concept, great interviews with many amazing writers, designers and typographers, and a great selection of photos. Anybody who is interested in graffiti, typography, graphic design, or anything like that will love having this book.

I only have a few complaints about the book. First off it's paperback and quite small, This means that when they have a photo that goes across two pages the center of the photo is all but lost, unless you want to bend your book backwards. One more thing is that it's printed in only one color, magenta. I know it's environmentally friendly and all, but I feel like it detracted from the quality of the photos. Instead of an intense splash of color, most of the photos of graffiti just look like pink mush. I would have paid 3 times the price for a version that was hardcover, full color, and a little larger.

Other than those few nitpicks, this is a great book, perfect for anybody interested in graffiti and graphic design. And limited to 1000 copies. So you can show it off in a couple of years when everybody wants it.