Graphic Design [Paperback]

Milton Glaser is a designer, illustrator and typographer, who has had a powerful influence on the direction of world graphic design. This book shows a unique body of work that is at once contemporary and ultimately timeless. He studied at the high school of Music and Art in New York City and graduated in 1951. The Pushpin Studios was established in 1954, as a partnership with Edward Sorrel, Reynold Ruffins and Seymour Chwast. It was perhaps the most important independent graphic design office to open in the '50s. This studio departed both from conventional realism and the more highbrow adaptations of modern art and design. Their work during the '50s was intentionally rough and expressionistic, yet during the '60s it employed bright colours, bulging voluptuous forms, and decorative styles that were borrowed from art history. They revised such discredited source material as Victoriana, art deco, and comic books in order to create polished and urbane graphics that promoted cultural events and packaging for jazz and classical music. Their work became internationally influential during the 60's and 70's. In 1968, with the publisher Clay Felker, Glaser revolutionized the magazine trade with the design of the 'New York Magazine'. This became the model for city magazines and stimulated a host of imitations. Glaser left Push Pin in 1974 and established Milton Glaser Inc. The Manhattan studio has been responsible for designing many distinctive logos and concentrates on disciplines in all aspects of communication. The 'I Love NY' slogan is so simple yet effective - this logo has to be one of the most copied graphic concepts ever created. In 1983, he teamed with Walter Bernard to form WBMG, a publication design firm that has redesigned numerous American and European magazines. He has worked on many large-scale projects including the complete graphic and decorative programs for the restaurants in the World Trade Centre, New York and more recently the famous Trattoria dell'Arte restaurant. He has designed hundreds of posters, in the areas of music, theatre, film and publishing including the renowned insert for Bob Dylan's greatest hits album. He has a fascination in painting - 'what does it mean to make something dimensional. What does it mean to make something look like a three dimensional object on a two dimensional surface'. This book covers Glaser's work, his drawing, painting and designs, in great detail. It exemplifies a thoughtful approach that is based on a knowledge and appreciation of history. This is so important. How do you get an idea? You start with the objective to communicate something. His work consistently communicates the concept that is the basis of the assignment. His basis for this thinking about design is that you only introduce the new in the context of the old. This is a superb book about an intelligent designer. Top quality.

Excelent book for all students and professionals of design that search inspiration and look for the good design. A "must have" for designers.