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Tibor Kalman, Perverse Optimist Paperback – September 1, 2000

by Peter Hall (Editor), Michael Bierut (Editor)
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Paperback, September 1, 2000
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 420 pages
  • Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; First Paperback Edition edition (September 1, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1568982585
  • ISBN-13: 978-1568982588
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Editorial Reviews

From The New Yorker

"A witty, eclectic tome of images and writings--half catalog, half manifesto."

Review

A witty, eclectic tome of images and writings—half catalog, half manifesto. New Yorker

[Kalman's] body of work [is] breathtaking to behold all at once, which is the best thing about Tibor Kalman: Perverse Optimist, a handsomely produced volume that is an archive of and homage to the designer...It is a playful greatest hits compilation of his most important work. New York Times

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Even better when you re-read it!
By Ghost in the Matrix on February 13, 2001
I left a review of the hardcover a long time ago. I'm reviewing the paperback because I actually bought a 2nd copy of the book (one to keep untouched and the other to read several times). And now that I've gone through the book for the umpteenth time, I want to add more thoughts to my last review...
I'm begining to realize that the true magic behind the work of Tibor is that it's very personal. Tibor's work searches for some human quality inside us that it can appeal to. It relates to us as imperfect, informal human beings. Unlike most design today that is either self-indulgent or polished off and buttoned up, the work in this book seems to have a "come as you are" invitation to it. This was Tibor's gift. This was his major contribution to the work done in this book. As you surf through all 400+ pages you'll see that in the beginning his work was design "having something to sell". But suddenly his work detours and becomes design "having something to say."
The best part about this book is that it brings us inside the minds of all the people Tibor worked with, worked for (clients) and worked against. The eye opener is that their was a lot of pain that went into the production of this work. You learn that Tibor's passion became a blessing and curse for those he colloborated with. But you begin to learn that these "mistakes, misunderstandings and mis-comprehensions" are often an unexpected ingredient in producing fresh and interesting work.
I encourage this book to anyone who wants to see a new perspective on graphic design and the industry. But more importantly, it's a motivation for us to re-evaluate our own perspective on the industry.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
If a man smiles at you...
By Ana Ramos on April 6, 2004
I first heard of Tibor Kalman while browsing a copy of "Interview", just to learn that it was a tribute. Sometime later, I found a smiling bookcover looking at me. I bought it. I was waiting for the bus and started to read it... I could not put it down again. I read textes, subtitles, infos, even the small characters of the work reproduced. It was not enough. It made me regain the somehow lost faith in design, showing me how humour, money and a cause could be combined together with surprising results.
Do not be fooled: this book goes beyond the cult of the author's personality; it shows brief, concept and ways of thinking which are useful to everyone, not only designers and students.
Although I knew it from the beginning, in the end I had tears in my eyes, because this man was gone and could no longer make our world a better place.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
In your face
By JG on December 15, 2001
Verified Purchase
Kalman was a fascinating artist, but above all, he was down to earth. He told it like it is. That's why people found his work disturbing and cutting edge at the same time. His images and ideas have the power to change how people think. As an artist, he was vastly underrated, but his art made important comments about popular culture. He fits right in with Warhol, Rauschenberg, et. al. This is a book worth many times its price.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
The world of a creative genius
By "aaandre" on September 6, 2000
Think Tibor Kalman. Think Bennetton's controversal advertising. Think COLORS Magazine ([...] Creative advertising, copywriting and photography at its best.
Includes a biography of Tibor, some of his writing about design, countless visuals -- spreads from COLORS magazine, Tibor's ads, clock designs, promotional campaigns, etc.
This is an excellent book I recommend to everyone who has interest in photography, advertising, graphic design or promotion.
Buy it. Or go to a bookshop and spend the day with it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
yes but...
By Mr. R. Horberry on September 28, 2000
...how much of the work on show did Tibor himself actually have a significant hand in? It ain't always clear. And early on there were a couple of turkeys, let's be honest. These (admittedly nit-picking) quibbles aside, this is a superb book that should inspire and delight - colors is a milestone that would be ahead of its time today. I should lighten up...
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I met tibor by this book
By sharjeel ahmed on April 3, 2007
i have been trying to write alot abt this great designer/man, but couldnt write a word because he is so true and real, that you start loosing words for him. He lives with designer who consider their resposibity and moves on. TIBOR tells the story of Tibor's life and his achivement phase to phase. I dont want to complete this book or Close this book, because it is full of Wit, Humor and Lots of Sense. A book that showcases the thumbnails, sketches, art-work, approvals and disapproved work.

You can find lots of lessions, essay and speeches about Tibor and From Tibor that are helpful esp. for Design Students/Teacher and Graphic Designers in the end. It a worth buying book for every student-teacher and designer!

WELLDONE!
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