Articles by Dave

Top: Postcode typeface designed by Christophe Stoll 2008- Bottom: POSTCODE stamp designed by Gert Dumbar in 1978.

Christophe Stoll recently emailed to let me know of a cool typeface he designed called Postcode which is based off a stamp in the Iain Follett Stamp collection we featured. Check out Christophe’s website to hear the story behind Postcode and to download the typeface for FREE.

After you download the typeface, put some time aside to browse Iain Follett’s amazing stamp collection on Flickr.

I’m really excited to present today’s interview. Matte is one of my favorite artists and an all around rad guy. Matte makes amazing art and lives in a house with lots of cool modern furniture. In Matte’s conversation with us he shares some of the people/things that inspire his work, the characters that frequent his paintings as well as a glimpse into his studio and home.

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Bottom of Tefal pans designed by Doshi Levien

This makes me ashamed to look at my crappy IKEA pans.

(via the awesome orange you lucky!)

From top to bottom:

1. SWB ausstellung c1950 designed by Hans Neuburg

2. Anwendungstechnik moderner anstrichstoffe c1963 designed by Franz Fassle

3. Franz Roh: aenne biermann – 60 fotos c1930 designed by Jan Tschichold

4. Wettbewerb für einen neubau des stadttheaters zürich c1961 designed by Walter Bangerter

The book covers above come from Felix Wiedler’s excellent book ( design ) stories website.  We’ve mentioned book design stories on grain edit before, but I’d like to thank Richard at Ace Jet for reminding me just how awesome this site is.

Prepare to put aside a few hours to browse this site. Felix has done an amazing job of cataloging design work from Hans Hartmann, Siegfried Odermatt, Richard Paul Lohse, Josef Muller Brockmann, Armin Hofmann, Max Bill, Max Huber, Hans Erni, Otl Aicher, Gottfried Honegger-Lavater, Nelli Rudin, Anton Stankowski and many others.

Also worth checking:

Swiss Graphic Designer: Donald Brun

Karl Gerstner and Markus Kutter - Die Neue Graphik

Publicity and graphic design in the chemical industry - Hans Neuburg

How to show telephone numbers on letterheads - c early 1960s

The idea of a set of parenthesis surrounding the area code in a phone number dates back to the booklet above and Ladislav Sutnar’s design work for AT&T. Aflier has posted scans of this booklet which includes 15 letterheads selected by Sutnar with various options of laying out a 10 digit phone number.

(via the always excellent iso50 blog)

Also worth checking:
Sweets Catalog promo designed by Ladislav Sutnar

Nieuwe Muziek - Concrete en elektonische muziek by Gerard de Wit c1968

Great cover photo of a dutch recording studio from the 1960s. Check out all the vintage analog recording equipment! So many buttons, switches, knobs, reel to reels and dials. If your into 60s computer interfaces, tape machines and old mixing boards, I highly recommend you check out Stewf’s amazing Control Panel Flickr group.

Mucho  thanks to Chris at Groove Merchant for hooking me up with the booklet.

Plantão Fatídico é de c1967 -O Assassino Nudista c1968 - No Calor da Noite c1968.

Beautiful book covers by Brazilian designer/ illustrator Gian Calvi. Very similiar to the Penguin book covers of the same time period.

I’m very interested in Brazilian design from the 60s and 70s, so If anyone has any images or info please send it my way.

(via design ref’s wonderful flickr set)

also worth checking:

Japanese book cover art from the 1960s

Giant metal robots feeding toasts to kids, double decker bus eating elephants, pooping unicorns eating ice cream, and this is just for starters! These are just a few of the paintings you’ll see at Amanda Visell’s website. Some of which have come to life in the form of limited edition wood / resign figures and sculptures.

Swindle magazine has a nice interview with her where she shares her appreciation for vintage Walt Disney concept art and her beginnings as an artist.

(via dinosaurs and robots)

Magazine cover design for Italian industrial design magazine Stile Industria - March 1954

In 1940 Albe Steiner founded the Milan based studio Graphica Foto where he and his wife Lica experimented with Photography and design. Over the course of his career, Steiner designed for Domus, Agfa, Pirelli among others.

Cool book of his work here.

(Pictures via the Albe Steiner archive)

Also worth checking:

Aldo Novarese - Recta typeface

Super cool Buck 65 poster via the All-Over gallery. Birds talking about record factories, thats all I’m saying.  Check the rest of the limited edition prints in the gallery as well..

grain edit is proud to announce for your viewing pleasure the second installment in our ongoing record gallery series.

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One of the first people I met when I moved to California was Chris Veltri. Chris aka “Cool Chris” owns the world renowned Groove Merchant record store which has become a haven for those looking for obscure jazz, soul, funk and latin records. Chris is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and his knowledge of music is bordering on insane. I couldn’t begin to count the amount of amazing albums he has exposed me to.

On one of my trips to Chris’s house I had a chance to take a few photos of his personal record collection. I only had time to go through a small portion of his collection, so here are a few of the choice album covers.

*Note - sorry for the poor image quality on some of the photos. I was having an issue with my camera.

Also worth checking:

The Record Gallery part 1- Mike the 2600 King

If you haven’t seen this already, the arts and architecture website has an amazing archive of the magazine from 1945-1967 available in PDF format. The issue gallery includes covers designed by Herbert Matter, John Follis and Alvin Lustig. Select covers are available as prints you can purchase.

also worth checking:

53 years of Jauna Gaita magazine

Many thanks to Seth for sending this our way.

The Jungle Race - c 1967- Published by Bancroft & Co.

Super cool children’s book from Czech illustrators G. Seda and J. Pavlin. One of many pop up books the duo illustrated during the 1960s and 70s.

The short version of this story is: a lion, an elephant and and a giraffe try to put together a race and find out that their friends are totally lame. Their loser friends include trendy Zebra fashions snobs, snorkeling hippos and an antelope that likes to get tossed in the air by a gaggle of monkeys.

Design Magazine June 1961

Ken Garland served as art editor for UK based Design Magazine for six years. This is just one of many amazing covers that was conceived during his tenure.

also worth checking:

10 years of Vendre Magazine cover design

Online indie music store Insound announced the release of the Insound 20 project today. The project features limited edition t-shirts, Sweatshirts and posters designed by Jason Munn of The Small Stakes for 20 of Insound’s favorite bands. Only 1000 t-shirts / sweatshirts and 200 posters of each design will be printed.

The band’s featured in the Insound 20 are: Beirut, Black Heart Procession, Built to Spill, Calexico, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Death Cab for Cutie, Department of Eagles, Grizzly Bear, Jose Gonzalez, Magnolia Electric Co., New Pornographers, Okkervil River, Peter Bjorn & John, She & Him, Spoon, The Constantines, The Decemberists, The Hold Steady, The National, and The Thermals.

There is an additonal design being sold that includes the names of all the bands in the Insound 20 program. 100% of the profits from the sale of this shirt and poster will go to benefit nonprofit literacy organization 826 NYC.

You can purchase the goods here.

Behind the Insound 20 Designs with Jason Munn

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In the images below the old diet coke wolf (Jason) shares with grain edit readers a few of the sketches that led to finished Insound 20 posters as well as the Insound 20 logo.

Related posts worth checking:

Jason Munn/ Small Stakes interview

Chronicle Books tote bag designed by the Small Stakes

From the same East coast that you brought you such cult classics as the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the Thanksgiving holiday comes these bad boys. These cast iron ampersands produced by House Industries are perfect for bookends, door stops, paperweights and rolling shotgun to the next Judas Priest concert.

Plus check out the ampersand t-shirts! I need to get one of these.

also from House:

Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks

Book cover for Jules Verne novel

Lots of great work to see at Argentinian design firm tholon kunst - Book covers, annual reports, logos and a cow grazing on a prime patch of white space.

Winnie the Pooh has been around since the 1920’s. In the early 1960s the character was licensed to Disney for a series of features that debuted in 1966. The Russian version of this cartoon known as Vinni Puh aired in 1969. You can see an episode here.

It’s weird to see the Russian interpretation. I’m so used to the chunky orange American version. This guy looks like an Ewok.

Really enjoyed the video. Many thanks to Chris for sending this our way.

Giovanni Pintori exhibition catalog c2003

Giovanni Pintori won a scholarship in 1930 (at the age of 18) to study at the ISIA in Monza under design heavyweights like Marcello Nizzoli and Edoardo Persico. After graduation he was invited to work for Olivetti in the Development & Advertising Office located in Milan. Three years later he would become the head of the department. Over the next 27 years he created an impressive body of work for Olivetti that would earn him a lasting international reputation.

This book was made in conjunction with a 2003 exhibition that highlighted many of Pintori’s designs for Olivetti.

Seen above: posters and advertisements for Olivetti 84, Lettera 22,  Elettrosumma 22 typewriters and the Olivetti Tetractys printing calculator

Also worth checking:

Olivetti Divisumma calculator

stamp commemorating 100 years of Professional Baseball c 1969 - printed on a Giori press.

One of my favorite stamps from the US. It all works for me, the use of negative space, the colors, and the 6 cent price tag. Makes me miss the days of buying big league chew at the candy store and watching TWIB.

Also worth checking:

vintage modern stamps from Israel

modern sticker, label and stamp club

moodswing9 (me) digging for records circa 1998

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We had a few people over and watched the fireworks from our deck. Ryan “burger mother” tenderly worked the grill and successfully brought over 10 meat patties to life. This man knows his stuff. Thanks to everyone that came through. In addition to all this patriotic partying, it was my birthday, so it was a pretty busy weekend.

Now onto the picture above. Before I was interested in design I produced music for many of the guys in the Anticon collective under the moniker Moodswing9. Marc of We Push Buttons recently interviewed me. You can read the full interview here.

If the bomb doesn’t get you maybe the Uzi will.

Have a great 4th of July. We’ll be back on monday.

(vintage firecrackers via crackerpacks)

Bossa Nova Online has an insane collection of Bossa Nova album covers. I counted over 2000 albums! what! Tons of records from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. You can sort by labels as well. The site has archives for some of my favorite labels including: equipe, Forma, Odeon, Elenco, MPS and Som Maior. I’m not sure if these records are store inventory or part of someone’s personal collection. Either way you can easily spend a few hours browsing this monster.

Also worth checking:

Quarteto Em Cy - album cover design

1950s Japan: The blossoming of the graphic designer exhibition book

Packaging -  Honen salad oil - design by Kenji Ito 1959, Snow ice cream -design by Tadashi Masuda 1959, KAO soap - design by Hideo Amano 1958

Advertisement for Toyo Rayon fiber co. - design by Yusaku Kamekura 1950

Paul Rand: His work from 1946 to 1958 - cover design by Yusaku Kamekura

Sense in Modern Design - design by Hiroshi Ochi 1959

Isamu Noguchi Photography book 1953 - cover design by Yusaku Kamekura

If your planning to be in or near Tokyo within the next few days it would be worth your while to visit the Japanese graphic design in the 1950s exhibit at the printing museum. The exhibition features over 400 items, including newspaper and magazine advertisements, pamphlets, wrapping paper, packaging, and books, in an attempt to demonstrate all aspects in the development of graphic design in the 1950s as the foundations of postwar design were being laid.

I was able to get my hands on the catalog for the exhibit (seen above). I’m so sad that I won’t be to see this collection in person. The work is astounding. Lots of pieces by Yusaku Kamekura, Hara Hiromu, Takashi Kono, Ayao Yamana, Ryohei Yanagihara and others.

The exhibition runs through July 6th, 2008. You can get all the details here.

Also worth checking:

1960s Japanese book cover design

1960s Japanese magazine cover design

Eric Tan nailed it with his recent line of limited edition prints for Wall-E. The illustrations were inspired by vintage Disneyland attraction posters.

I saw Wall-E on friday. The theater was packed, as you might expect for the premier in Oakland. Pixar is only a few miles away from my house, so I’m sure there were illustrators who worked on the film in the audience. It was unlike any other Pixar film I’ve seen. Amazing in so many ways.

(image via Slash Film)

Also worth checking:
Exclusive look at the making of the Wall-E picture book.

Finished Cover

Rough #2

Rough #1

sketch #1

The cover of the July/ August issue of STEP Inside Design magazine was designed by Wink. Scott Thares of Wink shares with grain edit some of the thoughts that went into the cover:

“STEP Inside Design, a graphic design trade magazine, approached Wink about doing the Business Annual cover a few months back. We generated around 5 ideas in total for the presentation to STEP.

One of the ideas was this concept of a business machine. A machine that is uncertain of the current financial climate, chugging along while spurting, devouring and spewing out ideas and products. Rough #2 was how the idea was presented to the client which they approved to move forward on with the actual type lines for the issue. From there the rough was tightened up into the final form. We requested that the grey & red colors be printed in metallic for the cover and we thank the STEP staff for making it happen.

In typical Wink fashion, our sketches aren’t very sexy (Sketch-1). Both Richard & I sketch in different manners. About half of my sketches generally serve as a way to show composition and form. From that sketch, it moved into Illustrator for a more formal composition of the cover (Rough #1).”

Of Great Masses Moving at Visionary Speeds - Small Book Series vol. 2

I’ve been meaning to post this for a while. Joel over at the design studio Forest (of The Drama magazine fame) sent us this swell little book that’s part of the Forest Small Book Series. Books in the series are released quarterly and feature various thoughts, sketches, collections, and travels. Each issue is handmade using French paper and designed by Forest.

Vol. 2 (seen above) features photos by Joel and quotes from CS Lewis’s Out of the Silent Planet. I really like the quotes Joel selected for inclusion in the book. Here’s one:

“To EVERY MAN, in his acquaintance with a new art, there comes a moment when that which before was meaningless first lifts, as it were, one corner of the curtain that hides its mystery, and reveals, in a burst of delight which later and fuller understanding can hardly ever equal, one glimpse of the indefinite possibilities within.”

Each issue is only $5, so stop by the Forest website and pickup vol. 2 and the recently released vol.3. You can sign up for a yearly subscription as well.

Bedside Nurse magazine design from 1968, 1969 and 1970

Charles Goslin (1932-2007) began his career at Lester Beall’s studio in 1954 and left to pursue work at corporate identity firm Lippincott & Margulies in 1958. Three years later he parted ways again, but this time to begin what would be a lengthy career as a freelance designer and illustrator. During this time he started teaching at Pratt Institute as well, where he became known for unique assignments.

For those interested in learning more about Charles Goslin, former student Scott Santoro has written a lovely piece about him here.

Also of interest:

Graphic designer Clarence Lee - He worked at Lester Beall’s studio in 1958, possibly at the same time as Charles Goslin.

Animal Alphabet 18 x 24 poster. 3 color screen print

I first ran into San Francisco based Lorena Siminovich’s work at a local store that carries modern goods a few years ago. It was the Elephant collage seen on this page that caught my eye. Since then she has released a small zoo of colorful collages, posters and notecards.

The poster seen above is the latest addition to her collection. Check out that chocolate elephant! He’s hanging out with his mysterious friend that starts with a letter “i” and drinking some yummy camel leg. Lots of Fun!

You can see this poster and the rest of the collection at Lorena’s website: Petit Collage.

British Airways standard playing cards - 1970

Woah, British airways on acid! Anyone know who designed this deck of cards?

Creative America: Art director- Albert Squillace c1962

Thanks to Chad for sending this in. Looks very similar to the book cover design work of Paul Rand.

Also worth checking:
Modern Dutch book cover design
1960s Penguin books

Apartment Therapy posted photos of Sam Grawe’s apartment yesterday as part of their 2008 home tour series. Sam is the Editor-in-Chief at the San Francisco based Dwell Magazine. If you are unfamiliar with Dwell, it is a magazine that focuses on modern architecture and design.

Sam has lots of goodies in his house. The place is filled with Danish modern furniture, Bertoia chairs and Scandinavian nic nacs. What did me in was the record covers and the owls. This is a man that loves owls! He has a slew of these Edvard Lindahl looking ceramic miniature birds of prey. Too be fair, it looks he holds no Owl biases. I see examples of Strigidae (Heck yea, I’m name dropping) as well as the barn yard variety. I actually know nothing about Owls. I picked all this up in a two minute search at Wikipedia. Anyways, I’m getting off track. To sum up, just check out the house tour.

Elizabeth shoes shoebox possibly from the 1970s

I just about flipped when I found this image of an Elizabeth shoe box on flickr. I love the organic lines flowing inside the butterfly wings. Is it me or does it look like the body of the butterfly is rising from a lighter thats created when the letter “L” and letter”i” are placed next to each other? I doubt that was their intention, but its still looks cool. I can’t get enough of those branches that stem from the letters. Has anyone heard of this company? Is this a new company or is this from the 1960s or 1970s?

Many, Many thanks to Fountaineer for posting this.

Aldo Novarese - Recta Type Specimen sheet circa late 1950s/ early 1960s.

Beautiful san serif typeface by Aldo Novarese. He designed Recta in 1958 while serving as the art director at the Nebiolo type foundry (Societe Nebiolo Torino) in Turin, Italy. Novarese is well known for designing the modern typeface Microgramma, which later became Eurostile.

In the pictures below, you can see a few examples of the 21 fonts that were included in the Recta font family.

Also worth checking:

Dutch Typography - Amsterdam Type Foundry

For those of you in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area, Poster Offensive 4 will be hitting your hood on Friday August 29th 2008 at the Black Dog Cafe.  The show later travels to the Frank Stone Gallery on October 3rd.

Poster Offensive is partnering up with the organization, Provention: A group of Minnesota artists offering a peaceful welcome to the GOP conventioneers as they arrive in town. The Poster Offensive is a non-partsian poster show dedicated to the promotion of peace and democracy.

Participants include: Aesthetic Apparatus, Peet Fetsch, Todd Bartz, Boyd Brent , Kelly Munson and many others.

For gallery times, dates and locations click here.

Many thanks to the gracious people at Spunk Design Machine for putting this event together and for sending us some of the swell posters seen above. If you live in the Oakland area and would like a poster, please contact me.

Classical album covers from 1954

Finnish illustrator Elina Minn captured these lovely record cover specimens designed for the Haydn Society by Alvin Lustig hiding in her Grandmother’s vinyl collection. I really like the colors of the album on the right. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of this Alexander Girard nativity poster.

After you check out the Vivaldi covers, wander down to Elina’s website. Plenty of great illustration and collage work to look at.

Many thanks to Gina Federico for sending this my way and Kind Company who designed the Alvin Lustig website, for alerting us that these album covers are the work of designer Alvin Lustig.

Other work by Alvin Lustig:

The Collected writings of Alvin Lustig
Alvin Lustig brochure design