Two-Dimensional Man: A Graphic Memoir

::: 設計閱讀計畫 ::: Design Reads :::

Two-Dimensional Man: A Graphic Memoir

來自紐約的OOPS (Office of Paul Sahre) 平面設計工作室,其設計師 Paul Sahre 在去年出了這本回憶錄,內容闡述生長背景,到之後開始平面設計的心路歷程、及生活種種。而家庭在這本書裡佔了非常大一部分,或許這對應了在創作路上所經歷的種種,看似毫無關聯,卻也默默地影響著他的作品。

去年的冬天,UCONN的老師 Mark Zurolo 邀請了 Paul Sahre 來學校演講。那是我第一次知道這個人。班上好幾個美國同學睜大眼早早就佔了位子,買好書,準備在會後請設計師簽名。一問之下才發現是樂團 They Might Be Giants 的專案設計師;粉紅色的坦克車不只拓印在專輯封面,更出現在街頭:一個巨型的紙板坦克車。在演講中,他介紹了幾個自己做過的書封、專輯等等專案,除了作品非常精彩之外,他所強調的動手做更是體現在裡頭。他唸了一段這本書裡的序文,是關於他媽媽把自己青少年的惡魔畫作掛在家一進門之處,他們的心理疙瘩與家庭成員的情感。

作者除了是平面設計師,更是定義自己為作家。身為設計學習者,透過此書,在 Paul Sahre 的幽默中,我們可以透過此書重新獲得一些前進的力量。

The design studio based in NY, OOPS, aka Office of Paul Sahre, its designer Paul Sahre published this memoir last year, talking about his background in family, graphic design and life. Family becomes a great part in this book, which perhaps corresponds his way through graphic design, and seems unrelated but subconsciously affecting.

During the winter last year, my instructor at UCONN, Mark Zurolo, invited Paul Sahre to give a speech on campus. It was the first time I heard of him. Some of my classmates were already sitting on chairs with their eyes widely-open, holding this books in their arms, expecting the designer to show up. I soon knew that he was the project designer of the band They Might Be Giants: The pink tank not only appeared on their album cover, but also literally on street, with the size of a giant tank made of cardboards. In the speech, he introduced to us some of the book covers, albums, and works he made over the years. Apart from the great works, the spirit of craftsmanship also was emphasized during the process. He read part of the preface on the spot, of why his mom put a devil drawing of his of teenage onto the wall of front door, of their mindsets and affections connected to one another.

Paul Sahre not only is a graphic designer, but a writer by his definition. As a design learner, by walking through his words, sometimes humorous tone, we are able to gain strength to carry on and believe more in our choices.

建議購買處(全球免運費)

Suggested purchase point:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Two-Dimensional-Man-Paul-Sahre/9781419724152?ref=grid-view&qid=1534652187878&sr=1-1

Type Matters!

::: 設計閱讀計畫 ::: Design Reads :::

Type Matters!

常常被朋友問到有沒有推薦什麼字體相關的書籍,除了上次閱讀計畫推薦的Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works以外,這本由Jim Williams 集結在英國Staffordshire University 18年字體教學經驗所撰寫的Type Matters!,除了封面用仿皮革外衣配以黑底白字,也就是純粹typography為主體的設計概念之外(另外一位以字體為設計主體的設計師,詳見野生的Lars Müller),裡面的內容也多以紅黑字體作為主要色調,用極為親切的口吻,簡潔集結字體的基本知識。當然,這本書封面就說明了「日常的字體小撇步」,因此這本內容不會到非常艱澀,但閱讀此書卻會感受到作者滿滿的誠意,並且也會被內頁舒服的排版所駐足。

I am often asked by friends whether I have book recommendations for typography. Apart from the last Design Reads: Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works, Type Matters! is written by Jim Williams, who has been teaching in Staffordshire University in England for 18 years and has collected his typography knowledge and experiences into this book. Besides using a faux leather cover with white type on black background, a typography-based design (See other designers holding similar design thoughts From the Wild. Lars Müller), the book is mainly set to both red and black being the main color combination. With narrating soft contents and its fantastic layout, the book gives people an easier way to approach typography.

建議購買處(全球免運費)

Suggested purchase point:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Type-Matters-Jim-Williams/9781858945675?ref=grid-view&qid=1533956406924&sr=1-1

Stop Stealing Sheep & find out how type works

::: 設計閱讀計畫 ::: Design Reads :::

Stop Stealing Sheep & find out how type works

從英文字母形體的觀察到考量其在段落中的可讀性皆敘述詳盡。假如你的工作幾乎每天都會用到文字排版,特別是歐文排版,那你一定不能錯過這本書!假如你已經有幾年的排版經驗,那這本書將成為你很好的檢視跟借鏡!

From detailed observing in shapes of alphabets of various types to the flow of legibility in either paragraphs or just a line of words.
If you, in any ways, are using typography in your daily lives(at work or just interested), definitely cannot miss this book. Highly recommended.

建議購買處(全球免運費)

Suggested purchase point:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Stop-Stealing-Sheep-Find-Out-How-Type-Works-E-M-Ginger/9780201703399?ref=grid-view&qid=1532178547785&sr=1-1