Studio brief 2 prep-book research (OUGD406)

In preparation for studio brief 2 we were given book titles at random and told to research them in depth. The book I was given was Design writing research: writing on graphic design by Ellen Lupton and J. Abbot Miller. 

Who is the Theorist/Author/Editor/Publisher?

Firstly Ellen Lupton, she is a writer, graphic designer and curator. She is the curator of contemporary design at Cooper Hewitt, National design museum New York and the director of Graphic design MFA programme at Maryland institute college of art in Baltimore. She is the author of numerous books and articles including...

• Graphic design thinking
• Thinking with type
• Indie publishing
• Design writing research
• DIY, design it yourself
• Thinking with type (revised edition)
• Skin
• Graphic design: the new basics
• DIY kids
• Mixing messages
• The ABC's of Bauhaus 
• Sexy librarian

Her interests are wide and varied but she's mostly known for her knowledge and writings on typography.

Secondly J. Abbott Miller, he is the spouse of Ellen Lupton. He is a graphic designer and writer known for being a director of design, writing and research for multi-discipline company Pentagram. His books include...

• Bathroom, the kitchen and aesthetics of waste
• Dimensional typography
• Dance 2wice

His writings are often about the cultural placement of design in public life.

The publisher is Phaidon press they specialise in books on visual arts including; art, architecture, photography and design. http://uk.phaidon.com/store/design/

The library classification of this book is 741.601- subjects being; Typography, graphic design and design theory.

The book is split into 3 sections; theory, media and history.

Theory- talks about their personal experiences in design practice over the years and also different areas of history and culture throughout graphic design. Discusses punctuation and international symbols.

This section gives you an insight in hieroglyphics and symbols and how they vary between cultures and talks about different eras and styles of graphic design (modernism, post-modernism etc) and the differences between them and certain type designs related to them (example; the introduction of novelty/commercial typefaces for appeal and individuality). Includes examples of typefaces that emerged with each movement.

Media- looks at the intersection between graphic design and the media. Looks at interviews with groundbreaking artists such as Andy Warhol and discusses elements such as subliminal messaging within advertising.

History- A series of essays ordered into a timeline showing other peoples opinions of graphic design as the certain points in history. Gives you a large variety of views and information.

What is the purpose/concept?

I think the purpose of the book is to give and in-depth and wide insight into all areas of graphic design history. Not to persuade people into practicing a certain style but to inform people of the variety and reasoning behind all areas of design. Gives people inspiration to look at the bigger picture and to explore every aspect and shares the authors broad knowledge from their own experience. Gives a well rounded and un-opinionated commentary on design in general. Not persuasive or instructional just informative.

I would say this book is aimed at students (degree level) to give them an awareness of things they think practicing professionals should know. Seems like something that could be really helpful when studying and needing information on design history. Id say its not aimed at professionals as the authors would expect them to already be aware of these things previously (key information).