Graphic Design For The 21st Century

by Charlotte Fiell (Editor), Peter Fiell

Covering a vast range of cutting-edge graphics, with politically charged anti-commercial work placed in the same context as Nike's latest ads, this book presents highlights of today's most progressive graphic currents -- from signage and packaging to branding and web-design.

Genres: Design, Art, Reference, Nonfiction, Art Design

192 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

About the author

Charlotte Fiell is a leading authority on the history, theory and criticism of design and, to date, has written 60 books on the subject.

Charlotte initially studied at Heatherley School of Fine Art in London and then later at the British Institute in Florence. She subsequently took a BA(Hons) degree in the History of Drawing and Printmaking with Material Science at Camberwell College of Arts (UAL), London. Following on from this, she trained at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London.

Reviews

[Sintija Valucka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring book if you are interested in graphic design.

[Mips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geen enkel beroepsveld is de laatste twintig jaar wellicht zo drastisch veranderd als die van het grafisch ontwerp. Computers, pixels en softwareprogramma’s met talloze nieuwe mogelijkheden verdrongen er stilaan pen en papier.
In dit beknopt ‘Taschen’-boekje werden 45 toonaangevende ontwerpers over de hele wereld (VS, Japan, Australië, Zwitserland,…) samengebracht.
Ze lichten hun visie op hun beroep toe wat een wirwar van vaak totaal tegengestelde quotes oplevert.
‘It’s only a job, but a good job’ (Aboud Sodano)
‘Graphic design is the intersection point between art and communication’ ( Phillipe Apeloig)
‘Good graphic design is the result of the endless search for beauty in things’ (büro für form)
‘Graphic design – a smiling cat with a tie’ (François chalet)
‘Ugly=Beautiful’ (David Földvari)
‘Fight for optical pleasure!’ (KM7)
‘Context + Concept + Collaboration >> Communication’ (Christian Küsters)
‘Visual communication is soulfood for the mind’ (Research Studios)
‘STYLE = FART’ (Stefan Sagmeister)
enz.

Bij elk ontwerper werden in deze uitgave een vijftal werken opgenomen.
En dan begint de pret pas!!!:)
Na wat surfen ontdek je al snel dat de meesten van hen ook een eigen site onderhouden, wat je gemakkelijk een klein uurtje kriskras ‘rondkijken op het net’ oplevert.

Interessant werk. Het heeft me warm gemaakt voor een sector waar ik nauwelijks iets van afwist! Meer zelfs, als de academie hier een workshopje ‘verkennend grafisch ontwerpen voor absolute nitwits’ zou opstarten, ik nam het in overweging!:)
(nou ja, als hun wervingsfolder én bijhorende affiche aantrekkelijk zouden zijn, natuurlijk)

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Innovation should be defined not by novelty, but by sustainability.”

This wasn’t as rewarding as the title suggests, but I have to say this did send a low level charge of nostalgia through me when I recognised the particular style of design which was so common at the end of the 90s and very start of the 2000s. There are also some memorable quotes, titbits and fragments of ideas which make this an interesting enough read.

“The increasing use of graphic design as a purely commercial tool is devaluing its currency.”

[4D · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok as a source of inspiration, however it's nearly 10 years old now so a little dated.

[Sandra Vu · Rating 4 out of 5]

brilliant essay, underwhelming examples

[gergana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh..

[Yokusun Basi]

Graphic Design 21 Cent.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book looks at 45 contemporary graphic designers giving you a juicy snippet of their inspirational work and asks them their thoughts on the future of graphic design, with some interesting and unusual results.

[Paulina Karachomakova · Rating 5 out of 5]

It made me want to be a graphic designer even more. I am going to remember the words written on these pages.