davidthedesigner

typographic trees

These seem to be going around the blogosphere, but in case you've missed them they belong very firmly in the 'I wish I'd done that' category of design: typographic trees created by why not associates in collaboration with Gordon Young for the new Crawley Library, which will be opening in January 2009. And there's even a flickr set.

Talking of libraries, I have to go off and do some art direction for a museums, libraries and archives report. I'll try and bring you back something nice (if I don't get arrested for taking photographs).

here's a treat

I was noodling around the internet (as you do) - in fact, I think I was looking for a suitable image to illustrate Univers in that last post. And I came across the work of Anton Stankowski (who, as you can see, often used Univers).

And here's a site dedicated to his life and work.

a new old kid on the block

For a long time I've had the feeling that I was the oldest design blogger on the block: something that was confirmed to me in no uncertain terms when I joined the young whippersnappers at Interesting2008.

But news reaches me (via Alistair) that Mike Dempsey has joined us. Because Mike (and sorry to say this Mike) can count a few more miles on the clock than I. Do pop over and say hello and make him feel at home.

Glad to have you aboard Mike.

o.k., o.k., already

If any further proof were needed as to why it's well worth the effort of blogging, I arrived home from Interesting 2008 on Saturday to find that the postman had delivered me my brand-spanking new copy of O.K. Collections, published by my good (virtual) friend William and the team over at the ok-blog (and yes, before you ask, I did pay for it).

And what a lovely piece of design and print it is (though very Dutch, mind you). But don't worry, the text is in English. Now William had invited me a while ago to make a contribution, but unfortunately I'm simply not a collector. So, sadly, I had to decline: but William has promised to invite me to contribute to their next publication (once they've decided what that will be).

But I tell you what: even though I might not be a collector, I'm fascinated by the things that people do collect. Like these salt-and-pepper sets from George Sponselee, a retired teacher from the Netherlands.

And Vitorre Baroni from Italy (who describes himself as a counter culture explorer) collects mail art.

Emily Darnell, from the US, collects - among other things - the bits that are left behind when holes have been punched into card packaging. And I begin to understand why, when I see them displayed like this.

And this collection was the first to catch my eye. Lovely aren't they?

And do you know what they are? They're bread tags. Collected by Ralf Steegs, who's a web administrator (oh yes, now I'm beginning to understand).

Get your copy now - it will cost you a mere 10 Euros (only 8 if you're in the Netherlands, although quite a bit more, I'm afraid, if you're ordering from outside Europe). Just go here.

By the way, William's asked me if I can recommend any London bookshops who might like to stock O.K. Collections: I've already suggested Koenig Books in the Charing Cross Road, and Artwords Bookshop in Shoreditch. Anybody else got any ideas? Email me davidthedesigner (at) celsius.eu.com if you have.

where there's a wil

OK, so we all get blogger's block, I'm sure. Those days when you wake up and can't think of a single thing to post about. Or the days when you wonder 'why on earth am I doing this?'. But Saturday proved to me exactly why it's worth the effort: for I had a very interesting day out. And if Russell decides to organise an 'Interesting 2009' (which I'm sure he will - won't you Russell?), I suggest you push yourself to the front of the stampede for tickets. Because you won't be disappointed. And you'll see and hear lots of interesting people telling you about lots of interesting stuff that you don't already know.

Now I'm not going to bore you with a run-down of the highlights - there are lots of bloggers out there who are going to do that much better than I can. But what I will say is that I reckon Michael 'Slowhand' Johnson (seen here tuning up) gets first prize for posting his wonderful presentation the fastest. In fact, I reckon it was up on line before the rest of us had left the building. Well done, Michael (though I was just a little disappointed that you made no mention of Neil Young).

But, apart from the interesting speakers, you get to meet lots of interesting people. I had the great good fortune to sit next to, and have lunch with, Annie Mole. A real pleasure to meet you, Annie. Plus, there are those who you already know in a 'virtual' sense. So James (who's done some excellent work for me via this blog) came over and said hello. As did David, who I didn't know, but is a reader of this blog and a contributor to Richard's Found Type Friday project. Sadly, Richard wasn't there (or I don't think he was): but Richard, everyone who told me they remembered this little blog of mine, immediately told me how great AceJet 170 is. And then, of course, I met the noisy, decent Ben.

In fact Ben told me (when we'd all toddled off to the pub afterwards) that Wil Freeborn was there (yes, that's one of Wil's drawings at the top). "Oh, I'd really like to meet him", I said. "He's Oriental-looking" replied Ben "In fact, that's him over there in the white and black top". But it wasn't. So, sorry to have missed you Wil - maybe we'll meet up next year.

Oh, and if you're the Japanese lad in the white and black top and you happen to be reading this: sorry, and I wasn't trying to pick you up.

it was twenty minutes to six in the evening in tokyo

As you might have noticed, I don't very often feel the need to point you to somebody's web site.

But this one's a bit different, don't you think?

the power of the Ps

Eleven months ago – way before I started this little series of 52 fonts – I wrote about Perpetua. At the time, of course, Barack Obama was the outsider - the man who stood very little chance of becoming president. Which just goes to show how the right choice of font can do wonders for your image.

And talking of winning, I have lots to thank Palatino for. Because way back at the beginning of my career I won a Royal Society of Arts bursary, thanks to its use in my 'Heritage Trust' project submission.

Here's what the Hampshire Chronicle had to say:

Local Man Takes Top Typography Award

A Winchester man was recently awarded the top bursary in Typography in the Industrial Design Bursaries competition of the Royal Society of Arts.

[davidthedesigner], who is a graphic designer, formerly attended the Southampton College of Art for four years. He submitted his entry in September of last year and received his award recently in London, at the Society's headquarters.

Forty-five candidates took part in the typography section alone, and this was eight more than in the previous year. Those entering had to assume that they had been commissioned by an organisation owning properties of historic interest, to re-design its printed matter in order to give it a unified and recognisable style. Typographical layouts were required for a give-away leaflet, letterheading, membership card, one of a series of booklets on country houses, and one of a series of posters.

Commenting on [davidthedesigner]'s entry, the jury wrote: "[davidthedesigner] showed maturity and commendable professionalism in his analysis of the problem, and his presentation and report were quite outstanding. His layouts and specification were clear and accurate, so that it would have been possible to put the work in hand for immediate production.

"These qualities made his submission stand out among those of other competitors, although it was fealt that his treatment of some of the items created a slightly aggressive feeling not altogether suitable for the subject.

"The overall corporate identity, however, came over consistently and the concern for the use of his scheme in relation to the future development of The Heritage Trust showed a practical approach. His poster was intelligently handled and particularly attractive," stated the jury report.

Sometimes, just sometimes, it feels like it's been downhill ever since.

why can't clients be more like this?

I've had a couple of days away in the country (no broadband, no mobile signal - that's why I only managed two posts last week). While I was there I met this little chap:-

There's no pulling the wool over his eyes, is there?

blue and orange: my favourite colours

Here's proof, as if it were needed, that sometimes the very simplest solutions are the best. A lovely, lovely set of Faber Poetry covers, designed by Pentagram. Nice use of Perpetua, as well.

(With thanks to Anne for pointing me in the right direction.)

that's interesting - what is it?

This is the QR code that confirms that I've got a ticket for Interesting 2008. And if you hurry along here now you might just be in time to snap one up for yourself.

UPDATE: You're too late, already - they've all gone.

And if you're wondering what a QR code is, Alistair told us all about them over here.

So, if you do manage to get hold of a ticket, keep an eye out for me on 21 June: you can't mistake me, I look like this:-