Spin - Adventures in Typography

Murray GM October 9, 2017

Last month I was back in London, for the first in years. Amongst other things I simply couldn't resist the opportunity to swing by MagCulture - always a treat and chocked full of incredible publications and gems. Unfortunately I had to limit my purchases as hand luggage only.

I did manage to pick up a copy of Adventures in Typography Issue 001 from the design studio Spin (also behind Unit Editions). Lovely item, great cover stock and the transparent screened mailer is a nice touch. Here are a few spreads from it.

Inside the design process of the great Lance Wyman

Murray GM February 26, 2017

What seems like a very long time ago I sponsored the Lance Wyman Visual Diaries project on Kickstarter. Another amazing and ambitious project from Unit Editions. Yesterday the swag arrived, and boy was it worth the wait. The pack included; a boxed version of Lance Wyman: The Visual Diaries 1973-1982, 3 gorgeous enamel badges (classic Wyman logos), 5 postcards, 5 bookmarks (a must as the book is vast), an awesome T-shirt AND Lance Wyman: The Monograph!

The Visual Diaries are a reproduction of 16 of Lance Wyman's sketchbooks (or diaries) from 1973 to 1982. It's a massive (60mm thick) and incredible graphic design resource, revealing process, obsession and genius. It's yet another beautifully designed publication from Unit Editions, who are quickly becoming my favourite design publisher. Their commitment to the integrity of the projects and the quality of the production and design is going to cost me dearly, but improve my design library no end.

What's amazing looking at both The Monograph and The Visual Diaries are how Lance Wyman's themes and design concepts are so interrelated. Ideas worked through, and played with over and over, with never an idea wasted. Here are some pages from The Visual Diaries.

The Monograph in contrast is another great (again beautifully designed) reference for a variety of his commercial projects. It also includes some great articles and essays. But what I love most about it is how it highlights Wyman's amazing skills at creating Design Language Systems and then pushing them to the limits. Check these page spreads:

I love the amount of crossover his work has into physical spaces. The scale and dimensionality of many of the idents and logos is awe inspiring.

On top of all this visual system design is a sense of fun and humour that permeates everything. Something else that is pure gold in the book are the typefaces created for the various brand identities and systems.

Here are a selection of his incredible display faces (sorry the distortion is my fault - page curve).

And last of all here's this brilliant piece from the Mexico 68 work - love the guy looking intro the camera.

Action Time Vision - was waiting for me

Murray GM September 20, 2016

Arrived back from a long weekend and this little beauty was waiting for me: Action Time Vision, #002 in Unit Edition's Archive Series. I'd almost forgot that I'd ordered it! I'm loving the books being put out by Unit Editions (Tony Brook, Patricia Finegan and Adrian Shaughnessy), and can't wait for the Lance Wyman Visual Diaries that just got funded via Kickstarter.

This book was a must for me. Although a little too young for Punk the design has resonated with me as much as the music over the years. It's a great collection of punk 7" single sleeves spanning from 1976 to 1984, and features such design legends as Malcolm Garrett, Peter Saville, Barney Bubbles and of course Jamie Reid. The book is created from the collections of Tony Brook and Russ Bestley. Russ is an ex Portsmouth design grad (was in the year below me) and a regular collaborator with the Ian Noble. He's also considered one of the world's leading authorities on punk and post-punk music.

It's yet another lovingly crafted book, designed by Callin Mackintosh. Mine came with four buttons (badges). Of which "99% IS SHIT" is my favourite, but "NEVER BEEN IN A RIOT" is a close second.

Grab a copy here: action-time-vision
or check out another of their publications I have here: FHK Henrion

Incredible collection of FHK Henrion's work

Murray GM October 19, 2015

A great treat arrived today. It's an in depth look at the work of FHK Henrion, one of the most influential graphic designers in British design history. It's from Unit Editions and it's absolutely gorgeous. Not only is does it have a beautiful cloth bound, black slip case and a stunning cloth cover it's also incredibly detailed. It covers so much of Henrion's work, from wartime through to many of the brands and identities that became part of the visual identity of the UK in the '70s and '80s.

I first became aware of FHK Henrion as a design student through the Icograda organisation. It was the first time I'd seen people discussing graphic design from an ethical and moralistic stance. That's when I became aware of the deep history of designers taking a stance for humanity and how they could do that along side commercial work.

It's a great book, truly worthy of a great man. Fantastic job done by all involved and yet another beautiful object from Spin.

Find out more and get a copy here: https://uniteditions.com/shop/fhk-henrion