Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasures [Hardcover]

Rick Poynor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Vaughan Oliver is an influential member of the small group that changed the face of British graphics in the 1980s. Designed by Oliver himself, and written by Rick Poynor, this book illustrates the his intensely visual and emotive work in detail for the first time -- most notably his sumptuous sleeve imagery for London's 4AD label.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Booth-Clibborn; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861540728
• ISBN-13: 978-1861540720
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visceral Pleasures couldn't sum it up better..., February 18, 2001

By 

Paula Abilheira (East Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasures (Hardcover)

The book itself is a testament to Vaughn's design skills. It is elegantly crafted, with a classic and subtle typographic style which complements the overall clean book layout. This creates a subtle visual landscape which allows the actual works being shown within it's pages to burst out and demand notice. It speaks of Oliver's ability to subjugate his own ego and serve the message.

After flipping through the book in it's entirety, one gains the proper perspective regarding the magnitude of Oliver's impact on the 4AD brand. His is the visual expression of the sound which has come to be associated with the bands on this label. 4AD itself is more than just a label, it is the product of one man's dedication to independant music. Together, Oliver and the people which make up 4AD, struck that creative chord which can't be formulated. It was a matter of the right people at the right time getting together and playing off of each other artistically, to create a visual and audio brand which is still viable today. Creative relationships of that sort don't happen often, and when they do, it almost always furthers the medium, as evidenced here.

Vaughn Oliver's work has influenced an entire generationf of designers who most likely discovered his work through their love of the music on the 4AD label. The book does an amzing job of "telling the tale." It not only showcases Oliver's works, but provides a visual and textual history of his relationship with 4AD. Rick Poyner is a long time writer of the design business and design in general, making him the perfect choice to tell this tale.

For most of us in the design realm who listened to these bands in high school and college, this book is a record of the soundtrack and "visualtrack" of that particular time in our lives. And, for those who are just getting familar with Oliver's work, this book does a great job of giving the appropriate amount of textual and visual information to form a portrait of one of design's most influencial and innovative figures.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent follow-up to "This Rimy River", December 12, 2000

By 

David T. Wang (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasures (Hardcover)

I recently purchased this book after months and months of waiting. When I heard that a book was to be published about Vaughan Oliver and his wonderful career thus far in graphic design, I just couldn't wait. After all the wait, I am happy to say that I am quite pleased with the content of this book.

Unlike the last book, 'This Rimy River' which was a catalogue of all his work 1988-1994, this book contains a good balance of text and pictures. The text, which was lacking in other books, gives an in-depth look at Vaughan Oliver and his history of design. The pictures are beautiful especially the new ones that were made especially for this book.

Many designers will enjoy all the older pieces found throughout the book while there are many samples of his more recent work. This book is a definite must since many of his previous books are hard to find and out of print.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Vaughn Book I Have Been Waiting For..., December 6, 2000

By 

Bren Bataclan (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vaughan Oliver: Visceral Pleasures (Hardcover)

Though there are several books available featuring Vaughn Oliver's work, it is not until Rick Poynor's excellent "Visceral Pleasures" that Vaughn's genius has been fully covered and explored. While the book is primarily a visual experience, the in depth-text allows the reader to appreciate Vaughn and his colleagues at a totally different level. I have been a big fan of Vaughn Oliver and 23 Envelope/v23--all because of 4AD (Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Red House Painters). In many ways, I got into design/computer graphics--as a career--because of Vaughn's influence. This is the book I have been waiting for! I also like the price (most of his books, especially the rare or out-of-print ones, are way too expensive--I have them anyway though...).