Graphic Design Referenced
Graphic Design Referenced by Bryony Gomez-Palacio and Armin Vit
I recently got my hands on a copy of Graphic Design Referenced. This is the latest project from the dynamic design duo of Bryony Gomez-Palacio and Armin Vit, who also happen to be the brilliant minds behind the UnderConsideration network of sites. As the official press release states, “Graphic Design, Referenced is a visual and informational guide to the most commonly referenced terms, historical moments, landmark projects, and influential practitioners in the field of graphic design. This is a very ambitious project to say the least, but I’m quite impressed with the final result. I’m amazed at the amount of information they were able to cram into this 400 page book.
The content is divided into four sections:
Principles – defines the very basic foundation of what constitutes graphic design to establish the language, terms, and concepts that govern what we do and how we do it, covering layout, typography, and printing terms.
Knowledge – explores the most influential sources through which we learn about graphic design from the educational institutions we attend to the magazines and books we read.
Representatives – gathers the designers who over the years have proven the most prominent or have steered the course of graphic design in one way or another.
Practice – highlights some of the most iconic work produced that not only serve as examples of best practices, but also illustrate its potential lasting legacy.
The entries in each section are far from comprehensive, but rather serve as a launchpad for further investigation. For those looking to dig deeper into a particular entry there’s a list of recommended readings in the back. Overall, I think this book would be make for a solid addition to any design library, but I feel it’s especially relevant to design students looking for a good overview of the field.
Graphic Design Referenced is beautifully laid out and lovingly typeset in H&FJ’s Mercury as well as Christian Schwartz’s Stag Sans.
I’d like to thank Armin & Byrony for including grain edit in the “knowledge online” section of the book.
Copies are available at Amazon.
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Also worth checking: Swiss Graphic Design by Geigy.
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