A GRAPHIC ODYSSEY

Currently showing at the Design Museum, A Graphic Odyssey celebrates the prolific career of Netherlands-based  graphic designer and typographer Wim Crouwel.  An active member of the Dutch graphic design scene since the 1950s, Crouwel is regarded as one of the leading designers of the twentieth century, embracing a new modernity to produce typographic designs that captured the essence of the emerging computer and space age of the early 1960s.

Together with colleagues Benno Wissing, Friso Kramer and brothers Dick & Paul Schwartz, Crouwel started Total Design, the studio behind the visual identity for the Amsterdam-based Stedelijk Museum.  During the twenty year relationship with the museum, Crouwel designed catalogues, posters and brochures, in the process developing his cool, pragmatic style.

The Return of Clerkenwell Design Week

Clerkenwell Design Week begins today, returning for it’s second year as a cultural hub celebrating all disciplines of design.  From the weird and wonderful (a huge pin art installation by Lulu Guinness) to worthy charity events (TOTO’s LOVE JAPAN auction), the festival is covering all bases. With over 150 events, a series of pop up exhibitions, installations, talks, performances, music and workshops, the festival is a showcase of cutting edge design from some of the biggest names in the industry.

You can find out much, much more about the festival on their website, including a map of the area and a list of events.

THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

British graphic designer and illustrator Mike Lemanski’s use of type and varied textures produces a distinct style that’s quickly being recognised by the design industry.  A recent (ish) graduate, he’s already produced commissions for many well-know clients, and has been included in It’s Nice That Issue #4…

GraphicDesign&

A London-based social enterprise set up by Lucienne Roberts and Rebecca Wright, GraphicDesign& publishes books and papers, hosts events, and uses it’s online presence to investigate and raise awareness of the interconnectness of graphic design and the wider world.  In other words they’re up to some very exciting projects and collaborations.  The most recent to catch our eye is a poster collaboration between the writer and modern-day philosopher Alain de Botton (aka founding member of The School of Life), and the ‘Godfather of the graphic art scene’ and fresh from his residency at Pick Me Up, Anthony Burrill (watch this space for details about his June exhibition ‘Clear Your Head Every Day’).

Alain de Botton sees classification as an opportunity to reorganise knowledge so that it might be more helpful to us in everyday life, while Anthony Burrill finds his ability to classify his own life is a route to happiness. Their double-sided collaborative poster addresses stereotypical perceptions of seemingly opposing approaches to life.

Toolkit for a Modern Protester

19th May 2011 sees the launch of Patrick Thomas‘ new book at Woodbridge & Rees in Clerkenwell.  The gallery, which is owned by Caroline Roberts and Angharad Lewis (aka owners of Grafik), has invited the socio political graphic artist Patrick Thomas to launch his new book  ‘Protest Stencil Toolkit‘ – 46  die-cut stencils, including classic symbols from the greatest protest movements of the 20th century as well as new images reflecting contemporary concerns.  The perfect toolkit for a modern protester.  The launch is accompanied by an installation from 20th-26th May, perfectly timed to coincide with the Clerkenwell Design Week (more of which to follow soon…).  The book will be available to buy at various galleries, including the now permanent Soho-based gallery Outline Editions (again, more of which to follow), as well as through his publishers.

Bicycle Giveaway!

The Poster Cabaret 3rd annual bicycle-inspired print project is now showing at the Gallery Black Lagoon in Austin, USA.  Wrong side of the pond?  The good news for those of you too far away to see the work is that Poster Cabaret are celebrating the exhibition by giving away twenty of the prints featured in the show (via grain edit).  Artist’s include Blanca Gomez , Jason Munn, Ty Wilkins to name just a few…  You can enter by either joining the Grain Edit Facebook Page, or by following them on Twitter.  Easy!  Here’s a small selection of what can be found in the exhibtion.