News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

We thought we’d do a round-up of new design books at the library. Below you’ll find books about making wearable art from found objects, a ‘history of uncommissioned urban art’ (titled Trespass – we’re especially excited about this one!), T-shirt design, and photos from fashion’s inner sanctum. Have a look.

Trespass : a history of uncommissioned urban art / by Carlo McCormick in collaboration with Wooster Collective’s Marc & Sara Schiller ; additional texts by Banksy, Anne Pasternak, and J. Tony Serra ; edited by Ethel Seno.
“Made in collaboration with featured artists, “Trespass” examines the rise and global reach of graffiti and urban art, tracing key figures, events, and movements of self-expression in the city’s social space, and the history of urban reclamation, protest, and illicit performance.” (Syndetics summary)

Victore, or, Who died and made you boss? / [James Victore] ; introduction by Michael Beirut.
“In his first book, iconoclastic designer James Victore gives fans a survey of his work and his no-holds-barred take on the practice, business, and teaching of graphic design today. Known for making vivid, memorable, and often controversial work, Victore has sought comrades, not clients–brave, smart collaborators who have encouraged him to reinterpret old design solutions and to pressure viewers to think about issues in a new way. Leading readers through this collection of “greatest hits,” Victore tells the stories behind his inspirations, his process, and the lessons learned. The result is an inspiring, funny, and honest book, which showcases a body of work that has been plastered on the streets of New York, hung at MoMA, and featured in magazines all over the world.” (Syndetics summary) 

Postcards from the edge of the catwalk / Iain R. Webb.
“At every fashion event there is the invited audience, and then there are the privileged few, whose access transcends the velvet ropes and vip rooms. For longer than I can remember, Iain R Webb was one of the few who was invited everywhere and had the presence of mind to take pictures of what was happening. There is no better guide to fashion’s inner sanctum. This book is the next best thing to actually being there.” Paula Reed, style director, Grazia “Iain R Webb’s book is an incredibly natural vision of the impossibly unnatural world of fashion. A truly important vision from the inside of the most creative of industries. It certainly is an amazing testament to some of the most important fashion moments from the last 25 years.” Nick Knight, photographer (Amao)

Fabulous jewelry from found objects : creative projects, simple techniques / Marthe Le Van.
“Using an array of jewelry-making techniques, you can turn ordinary materials into spectacular wearable art. Fashion scraps of vinyl records into funky earrings that have rock ‘n’ roll flair, make a stunning necklace with tiny pencil stubs, or incorporate a lovely river stone as the focal point of a handsome ring-there are many varied designs to choose from. Creating found object jewelry is imaginative, fascinating, and satisfying. Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)

Product design in the sustainable era / Dalcacio Reis ; ed., Julius Wiedemann.
“The brightest, most innovative designs in environmentally sustainable household projects, made with reused materials, designed for energy efficiency and waste reduction are gathered in this catalog, with entries for each piece presented in English, German, and French. A sampling of the entries are a waterless clothes-washing couch that cleans your clothes while you recline, paper totes that biodegrade in 60 days, an energy-conserving microwave-specific teapot, a planter with its own light source, energy-efficient appliances, and a hammock made of irregular or discarded seatbelts. The volume is beautifully designed and presented, with multiple color images of each work and 2-part entries that present the design’s genesis and concept, followed by a description of its materials and use. The volume concludes with a listing of all the designers. Not indexed. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)” (Syndetics summary)

Ghost : RIS Crew / [written by Ket].
“GHOST was one of the last kings of the New York City train writing era. He experimented with traditional letter styles until developing his own loose, funky and psychedelic letters that sprouted from his twisted drug seeped brain and his passion for bombing.  With frequent trips to Europe his style has inspired the new wave of Scandinavian-loose-bombing-style pieces. Today, he exhibits his artwork in galleries worldwide and does collaborations with urban culture brands. Despite this Ghost remains an enigma, he isnt social, and he does not want to be your friend. But his artwork like his bombing is something fantastic that deserves attention, for this he is overdue.” (Syndetics summary)

Torso : T-shirt graphics exposed / [edited by Daniel Eckler]
“With their catchy messages and bold artwork, today’s t-shirts are a reflection of and petri dish for current styles in graphic design, illustration, and fashion. Show me your t-shirts and I ll tell you who you are. Today’s t-shirts are projection screens for styles, thoughts, and attitudes; they are wearable calling cards. Wearers and designers of t-shirts define themselves through the featured visual codes and messages and are constantly trying to outdo each other when it comes to who has the most original ideas. Torso presents t-shirts whose motifs not only function as a means of personal communication, but also reflect and increasingly influence the complete spectrum of modern graphic design.”(Syndetics summary)

Have you ever heard of Kawaii? It means ‘cute’ in Japanese and has become entirely part of Japanese popular culture. The little book of Kawaii shows the reader how this trend started as a sub-culture and impacted the lives of so many it has become mainstream. The new age of feminine drawing explains how drawing, a medium once shunned, is making a comeback and is the main way some artists express themselves today. Beyond the street is a book about street art and the one hundred artists who champion it. You can find out more about these books and other new titles available in our selection by checking this month’s Graphic Arts Recent Picks.

Is your life devoted to design? Are you always looking for new ideas and inspiration to create beautiful things? If you are, you’ll be delighted by our latest items on the subject. We have a book dealing with Chinese weaving and embroidery patterns and another about Italian furniture, both with beautiful pictures. Our selection also includes books about using colours appropriately when knitting, the universal principles of design and tips & tricks to make your design Zen. And if your are also interested in interior design for restaurants, check out this month’s Design Recent Picks.

Our Design books’ selection this month include an Italian magazine called Abitare, a book about home design entitled The Art of Living, and a publication about visual arts: More Things like This. If you are interested in patterns and surface design, you can borrow The Pattern Sourcebook. If you are a fan of plastic jewelry, you can peruse over 500 different designs. And if you are interested by Jean Despres and chairs, check out this month’s Design Recent Picks.

Our new Design books will keep you occupied this month and give you a buzz of inspiration and creativity! We have available two British magazines: Computer Arts Project and Computers Arts magazines. Also in our selection: a book dealing with Charley Harper (the unconventional American illustrator), graffiti in New York, and a guide about modern wallpaper. If you want to know what other books are in store, check out this month’s Design Recent Picks.

Do you have a wide imagination and dream about castles in the sky, nebulous galaxies and awesome spaceships? You can give your dreams shape with two books that feature in our selection: Mega Manga and Sci-Fi art. We also have a number of items dedicated to sustainable designs and green architecture. You can learn about 100 new eco designs and where to find them, Green design and Designing sustainable packaging. And if you are interested in American illustration and graphics, check out this month’s Graphic design and art Recent Picks.

You can apply design to many products and concepts if you have a keen eye and are resourceful. Ecological design proves the point with 60 products marrying elegance with sustainability. Haute-Couture is also a form of design. Thanks to our selection, you can find out about Lucien Lelong who presented famous collections at the beginning of the twentieth century. Items about a new wave of architects, interior decoration, Harakuju fashion, restaurant and CD designs are also available. If you want to know more about these titles, check out this month’s Design Recent Picks.

 This month, our selection will please you if you can’t imagine life without design. Best brochure design.10 presents you with innovative ideas concerning the design of brochures. Ultimate illustrations! compiles the work of today’s most talented illustrators. Stereographics: graphics in new dimensions and Tangible: high touch visuals show how 3D designs are becoming increasingly popular, with illustrations and examples for the reader to draw inspiration from. Packaging sustainability deals with the tips and tricks of producing functional and beautifully designed packages. Small environments offers design and architectural solutions to making the most of lack of space. And if you want to know more about Color & layout: from asparagus white to burnt olive, check out this month’s Graphic Arts Recent Picks.

This month, our design selection covers a wide range of topics. Atlas of fashion designers showcases the most influential fashion designers of the last five years and their work. Architecture is covered with a book that illustrates the wild and daring imagination of some urban designs. Modern stages and sets are the canvas onto which talented designers express their love for architecture and technology. Interior decoration gets a boost with Print, pattern & colour and street fashion has a guru with Vice Dos and Don’ts. Do you want to know what is happening in the world of fashion ? Check out the second volume of Fashion now, and if you are looking for romantic inspiration, have a look at the Design parts sourcebook. Finally, you can learn more about Japanese street fashion from Harajuku in this month’s Design Recent Picks.

Fashion prints are seen everywhere: on wallpaper, cushions, clothes and more. Our design selection this month includes two books about these: New fashion Print , and if you are a bit nostalgic and like vintage, you can also borrow 1960’s Fashion Print: a sourcebook. If you are a fan of US designer Narciso Rodriguez, you can read about his work, and you can also find out more about design packaging, including  music graphics and design. You can also try out new and inventive ways of presenting your business cards and other RSVPs with 1,000 greetings: creative correspondence designed for all occasions. And if you want to know all about selling design successfully, check out this month’s Design Recent Picks.