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Design Category
Book design, 2003
Design firm
Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Collection
(2004) 50 Books/50 Covers of 2003
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So many recent books on design look overdesigned. Is there room for something more subtle, more substantial than ephemeral? For this book we wanted to reflect the spirit of its content, which was an exhibition that explores how designers can use commonplace materials and transform spaces and objects in new ways. The resulting catalog reflects this in its form, materials, and typography. It is an “archetypal” book, or the essence of a book—seemingly conventional, yet not quite conformist. Its size, shape and weight suggest a novel or trade paperback but its choice of typography, paper, and binding are closer to a classically designed book. In this way, it participates in the idea of the exhibition completely: the familiarity of the book’s form is simultaneously undermined and reinforced by its unexpected content. The book includes a series of essays by the exhibition curator and other writers that place the exhibition’s themes in the broader context of contemporary design.
There are many ways (not all monetary) to analyze the impact of the publication, but the book continues to sell well and has helped promote the exhibition to potential tour audiences as far away as Japan.
“Our jury really liked this book—especially the cover and half jacket, which play thoughtfully with the ‘Strangely Familiar’ in design. Yet, while the front and back matter are beautifully and classically handled, they don’t push either buttons or boundaries. A slight awkwardness on the inside—matching that on the outside—would have been welcomed.” Cheryl Towler Weese
“Competent typography but not innovative. I liked the packaging of this.” Archie Ferguson