Recently read

Over the last months, I’ve been reading a couple of trade books recommended by teachers and colleagues. Here are my reviews.

Just finished:

The Guardian Book of English Language ++

A small book containing extracts form Guardian Style, edited by David Marsh (2007)

A useful reference as how to write things right, such as titles and dates, which expressions to avoid, or to get to know a bit of Polari (basically a British gay slang). The more you know, the more you realise how little you know…

A Duo by Paul Arden:

It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be +

Whatever you think, think the opposite ++

The first is the famous one; the later is the interesting one. Maybe it’s because I read Whatever first, sometime last year, and I thought it was a witty book, that was in accordance with all the things you don’t really know how to justify. Not to mention the beautiful layout of the book. Then, I read It’s not how good. The same type of layout, but the magic didn’t work. A bit too patronizing, maybe?

Read in small bits:

The Big Moo by Seth Godin & 32 of world's best business minds +

This is a follow-up of Purple Cow, where dozen of stories help you to understand how you can be truly remarkable (a purple cow in a field of brown cows) and make sure people hear you too. Easy reading on the tube, inspiring stories to give you the guts to challenge everything.

And, last but not least:

D&AD Annual +++

Until this year, only a privileged few could get their hands on the bible of creative excellence in design and advertising of the year, according to the D&AD. For the first time, Taschen makes it available to the public. Marvellous! I like to think of it as my year book… Well, let’s say that I’ve studied some of the featured work during my Master. The only bad thing about this book is that I will have to buy it every year now!

Coming up:

• Conversational Capital (I’m reading it now)
• Jokes and their relation to the unconscious (when I’ll feel psycho-enabled)
• A Smile in the Mind (I just ordered it)

Design Project 2

And here is project number 2. This one was produced in the class of Ruth Sykes, from the same design business as Emily (project 1). The brief was to design a poster to convince people to act or adopt a new behaviour. We had to come up with everything: the idea itself, logo, copy, illustration/photography, and a supporting object.

I came up with the “Dance with you umbrella” initiative, which I fantasized to be sponsored by the Mayor of London (explaining the use of the ultimate British typeface, gill sans). The first poster is the general one, to create awareness. The other one, a bit more complex, would fit in the tube or any other place you wait for a couple of minutes, so you can actually figure it out.

As for colour, I chose a blue sky blue and a sunny orange. Yes, because when you dance, there are no grey skies. I started with an existing illustration I bought from Carlos Benigno then changed pretty much everything, created the partner, etc.

My supporting object was, of course, an umbrella, featuring the official colour and logo.

The launch of campaign would also include one or many “forgot your umbrella day”, where a promotional team would walk with people without umbrella on a rainy day. While they get them from the tube entrance to the local coffee or from the bus to work, they would chat about the umbrella etiquette and introduce them to the dance.

Design Project 1

We had, for the last 5 months, two design classes. Working with Emily Wood from Reg Design, we had an assignment entitled "Everyone I've ever known". It seems ambitious - well, it is. We had to collect data about the people we had encounter in our life (some made a list of 2000, I stopped at 150), then categorise and finally illustrate the information about them.

Along my collection period, I kept asking myself how to define the people I’ve known. How come I remember them, why are they important to me? So my project became articulated around the values I share with them or those I admire from them.

The tag cloud imposed itself as a representation of importance of the value, the shape of a chain of little men holding hands became a symbol of sharing. There even was a chain coming out of the poster (as shown below). But, I still have an issue with colour. It still doesn’t feel right… Well, it just proves that I’m not an art director (yet). ;-)

Designers of the year

On the south bank of the Thames, a small but mighty museum presents the greatest design ideas of the year...

I won't list them all, but I'll gladly share my favorites, so you know what to get me for Christmas in years to come.

Gocycle, UK - Karbon Kinetics Ltd.
Beautiful, strong, handy, clean. I would use it everyday.


The Newspaper Club, UK - Ben Terrett
Who said that print press was endangered?


Sugru, UK - Jane ni Dhulchaointigh
The ultimate ergonomic tool! A plasticine that harden and improve everything you put it on.


GINA Light Visionary Model, Germany - BMW
I am usually not into cars, but this one is made of fabric. Very promising.


Graffiti Taxonomy: Paris, France - Evan Roth
I wished I thought of it. Sounds like a terrific subject for a master thesis in Graphic Design.


Real Time, Netherlands - Maarten Baas
An ever surprising clock. For once, it's awesome to watch time go by.


And so on...
Great ideas, guys.