Designers you probably don't know about but should #1: YUSAKU KAMEKURA

It's about damn time. Today I finally got a copy of "The Graphic Design of Yusaku Kamekura". I've been a Kamekura fan for years but could never find this book for under $150. Now it's mine and you can't have it. But I did photocopy one once, that is up for grabs.

Anyway, Kamekura was one of Japan's most prolific designers. Some called him the Paul Rand of Japan. Everybody knows his icon Tokyo olympic posters, but that's nothing. In my opinion, that was some of his weakest work, akin to Saul Bass near the end of his carrier. Check out the stuff he did for Nikon, including design ques that they still use to this day in their packaging.

So pull out your old copies of Graphis and Idea, grab the tribute issue of Creation and spend a few years tracking done his anthology. It's worth it. More pics to come.

Other books to check:
Trademarks and Symbols of the World (2nd edition is better)
Trademarks Designs of the World (NOT THE DOVER ONE!!!!)
Paul Rand by Yusaku Kamkekura
Creation Magazine

Thanks Taschen

Wow, our very own Seaneee recently made Taschen fame with his campaign for adidas colours. I mean it was done over four years ago, but who's counting? Check this:

Advertising Now: Print.

Thanks Julius.

Great Resource!

http://www.designbum.net/downloads.htm

Dick Bruna :-)

The other side of Dick Bruna...we all know him as the Miffy man but he has a library of litterally thousands of book covers he did for his fathers publishing company in his early years of design. If you are ever in Amsterdam check out used book stores for these gems, just ask where to find the Zwarte Beertjes...

More covers here:

http://www.utrecht.jp/genre/?g=15

Buy this book now:

http://www.youworkforthem.com/product.php?sku=P0343

Hello, I'm new here.

My name is Craig. I'm a "writer" or "copywriter." I was thinking about some band names last night, and wrote them down in someone else's notebook, someone who wasn't around.
Here they are!
The Frrns
Grousy McTattle's
The AeroSmiths
Sgt. G.U.T.T.Busta!
Daytona Charlie
Warsicle
Manicorn
The Humes
Better Gnomes and Gardens
Tanya Crunch and the Lucky Jalapenos
Mr. Gland (feat. Li'l Mo)
Phil

We Love Children's Book Illustrators #1- Abner Graboff

Abner Graboff was an amazing children's book illustrator that did the majority of his work in the 50's and 60's. By far one of ALC's favorites. Its one of those things where you get bummed because no one really knows who he is (if you don't count the Japanese), but at the same time your glad 'cause you want to keep all his wonderfulness to ourselves.

We were in an unnamed bookstore the other day and found a copy of crystal magic for a buck. It pretty much made our year, unless someone sends us "A Fresh Look at Cats". We would be forever grateful.

Check this site for some graboff goodness (if anyone reads japanese, tell us what is says):

biotope

The Greatest Casting Tape Ever!

Geoff and Scott, you rule... Hire me.

Amazing

This is one of the most amazing things to happen to San Francisco recently:

http://www.doloresparkmovie.org/

AND

http://www.filmnight.org/fnp2006.htm

If you don't go next month you suck and never call me again. Also, remind me to bring better snacks.

Falling Sucks

Yeah, falling sucks. It seems like most of this week has involved some sort of falling, being symbolic or actual clumsy. Anyhow, it culminated in the brilliance of my trying to bring too many packages on my bike to the post office. It was slow speed, no one was hurt–– well except my ego. Fell right over, bruised my knuckle scraped my knee, dropped all my boxes.

So the next day I bought a URL, made a placeholder page and started this blog.

The moral of the story. Buying stuff makes your ego feel better.