The Arcade: Episode 43, Featuring Peter Mendelsund

Something I’ve listened to twice so far and might elevate to sermon status. It coincides with the release of his two new books, Cover and What We See When We Read which I suspect will be very important and helpful additions to my (and your) library.

Launch

Connie’s launch for Unspoken was yesterday in the drawing room at our “office”, the UWCV Hycroft House. I had obviously read through the collection countless times but to hear her poetry read brought her work to another level of meaning. Tears, yes.

To be a part of this project has been such a privilege. And after hearing how deeply people have been impacted by her work (many of whom share Connie’s heritage), it is all the more fulfilling.

Matthew Carter at TED

I remember when MoMA acquired Bell Centennial and viewing the exhibit on a past visit. As someone who enjoys the systemic approach to designed solutions as much as the creative, I find Carter's presentation a bit of a thrill.

Trip Prep

Prior to our trip I picked up some relevant reading. At Paperhound. Minus Spain, my favourite things are all within walking distance.

Gerry in form magazine

I met Gerry exactly one year prior to my studies. He was my first contact at Reading and one of the reasons I applied. Unfortunately, as a type designer, he was not my professor. But I had the privilege of sitting in on the occasional tutorial and I benefited greatly from his occasional presence in our Monday sessions with Michael. His recent interview with form is testament to why his students are sought after globally, not only for their designs, but for their highly analytical approach to contemporary typography and type design. To be both faithful to typography's foundations and constantly pushing the discipline forward requires a security that can only come from expert training.

In the interview, he makes mention of non-Latin type design, a mandatory component of Reading's MATD program - an excellent read. But my favourite bit (below) is his commentary on today's typography education and where he feels we should focus our efforts. I like his thoughts because they are so far from my own. I don't disagree. I'm just behind.

It is my impression that design education has not responded fast enough to the challenge (of new) models of publishing, and have not acknowledged the need to respond to the demand for these new roles. Furthermore, we are now at a stage where “traditional” typographic education is at risk of falling behind. The sequence in which complex documents are migrating to screens, and the way in which content is specified, has helped establish some basic parameters for on-screen typography that makers can refer to while maintaining the readability of documents, but lacking the skills and understanding to deal with more complex information structures...

The Making of Neon Signs

Thank you, Paul for sharing this.

Design Issues - gallery of covers

Design Observer informed us all that MIT Press has started a Pinterest board reserved for Design Issues' cover illustrations. Coincidentally, it was only hours ago that I submitted a revised set of layouts for the launch DI's visual essay segment set to print next issue. My favourite is Massimo Vignelli's from 1993.

The Department →

Where we were.