Studio Culture: The Secret Life of a Graphic Design Studio [Paperback]

Adrian Shaughnessy (Author), Tony Brook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2009

It's a rare graphic designer who hasn't contemplated setting up his or her own studio. It's part of a designer's DNA to want to own and run a studio. Many do, while others spend a lifetime wondering if they should. But where does the ambitious designer go for advice and guidance?

Who better than the founders of some of the best design studios in the world?

Tony Brook and Adrian Shaughnessy conduct penetrating interviews with a group of visionary graphic designers who have formed and run landmark international design studios. In a series of candid and revealing interviews, manyof the leading figures in contemporary graphic design reveal the secrets behind creating a vibrant studio culture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adrian Shaughnessy co-founded the design studio Intro. In 2003 he left to pursue a career as an independent art director and writer. He has written, edited and designed numerous books including How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul. He writes for all the leading design magazines, and is a contributor to Design Observer, the world's most widely read design blog. He is editor of Varoom magazine and hosts a radio show called Graphic Design on the Radio. He is a frequent lecturer and has been interviewed on radio and TV.

Tony Brook is a highly respected graphic designer. He is creative director and founder of design company Spin, the innovative multidisciplinary London studio. Brook has won countless awards, and has designed numerous books and publications. He has designed, edited and published the successful Spin series of publications. He is president of the UK chapter of AGI, and is a recognized collector of graphic design artifacts. He lectures extensively around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Laurence King Publishers (November 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0956207103
• ISBN-13: 978-0956207104
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #903,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent content, but poor typography, April 14, 2010

By 

Elizabeth C. Smith "Elizabeth Carey Smith" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Studio Culture: The Secret Life of a Graphic Design Studio (Paperback)

The interviews in this book are excellent, but visually it is a chore to read. Poor typography choices, from the typeface to the grid to the complete lack of typographic color make what should be an enjoyable, fast and riveting read a tedious one. I still recommend the book for fans of the studios interviewed -- their thoughts are a great insight into their processes -- but am disappointed by the irony of a book about designers that lacks such fundamentals of design.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good content and bad design, July 7, 2010

By 

Ondrej Ilincev - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Studio Culture: The Secret Life of a Graphic Design Studio (Paperback)

The book content follows a linear path as most of the interviewed studios are asked simmilar questions so you can compare. Here is what I got from it, most studios:

- are small (75% of them have 1-10 people),
- suggest you get a good accountant (and project manager),
- don't want to get a loan,
- use macs,
- don't compromise their creative vision,
- don't do it for the money,
- have lot's of books, toys,
- are painted white,
- quote each other as their inspiration, or quote no one.

That being said, the layout of the book is suboptimal. The font in particular is very small (I am guessing 9pt), thin weight and sans serif. Part of it is light grey and it is a pain to read.
All photos are thumbnails and lack detail. On the other hand, the paper of both the cover and the inside is very nice.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it., September 28, 2011

By 

James Noble "Founder & Co.MD at Carbon Neutra... (London UK, Melbourne AUS) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Studio Culture: The Secret Life of a Graphic Design Studio (Paperback)

Not only is this beautifully compiled and delivered book. Its textures, stock and imagery are mere fluff around a truly fantastic read. An insightful and an expanse knowledge resource for people such as myself running my own agency.