Pharrell: Places and Spaces I've Been

by Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z (Contributor), Kanye West (Contributor)

Redefining cool for a new generation, Pharrell Williams is a creative force, using music, fashion, and design to express his distinctive style. Originating at the crossroads of art, design, popular culture, and street savvy, Pharrell Williams’s output is unique. By playing off different disciplines—namely music, fashion, street art, and design—and using each as an element in the other, Pharrell has redefined the role of the contemporary recording artist, blazing a trail for other musicians and prominent cultural figures. Illustrated with lavish photography, this book also explores his musical career in depth, charting his many projects from his production team The Neptunes, to the band N.E.R.D., and his collaborations with friends Kanye West, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and other hip-hop royalty. This unprecedented volume documents Pharrell’s prolific body of work and his contribution to contemporary culture. In his own unique graphic language, he details his extensive creative pursuits, including clothing lines, jewelry, and accessories designs for Louis Vuitton, furniture and other product design, limited-edition toys, graphic designs, skate graphics, and collaborations with Moncler, Marc Jacobs, the artist KAWS, and with architects Zaha Hadid and Masamichi Katayama/Wonderwall. 

The limited edition of 500 copies come with a hand-signed and numbered book plate. This deluxe edition is bound in white fabric, and comes with an exclusive BBC tee shirt featuring an image from the book which is packaged together with the volume in a custom clamshell slipcase.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Coffee Table Books, Biography, Art, Fashion

248 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed everything about this book-- first of all it's really more of a coffee table/ artists' book in terms of design. Lots of photo spreads, nice paper, and interesting font colors, which absolutely embodies Pharrell's aesthetic as a designer. The text is all in interview/conversation format, which is really interesting and flavorful. Pharrell has a TON of energy and a real sense of honest-to-goodness fun. I find that alone incredibly inspiring.

[Eling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a gift, so I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, and I ended up being pleasantly surprised. There are A LOT of photos, as this is really formatted as a coffee table book, and the photographs are lovely. Wide-ranging in subject, as are the subjects covered. If you're looking for a Pharrell auto/biography, this is not it. But there are lots of little gems that are revealed about him (he's a synesthete), and the conversations between him & other artists/designers/musicians/scientists are really great.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys pop culture & design or is a Pharrell fan, but I think it's exceptionally good for artists/musicians/creatives. The Hans Zimmer section is especially lovely.

[SeanTheRobot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for all Pharrell fans with conversations between him and Jay-Z, Buzz Aldrin, Kanye West and other friends he made along the way. Also lots of photosof P and his different endeavours.

[Ben Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much nostalgia

[Vladimir Putin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pharrell, I noticed you haven't visited Russia. Come visit me in Moscow for some coffee and we can chat about whatever you wish ;)

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Advertising and a glorified coffee table book. I take part of the responsibility here in that I should have researched this more than I did prior to buying it. I was expecting more of a collection of writings, more of a memoir. There is some of that, but at best this is a sellout, featuring a ton of ego driven swag and various 'Vogue-esque' photos. As a huge fan of his, this is disappointing to say the least.

[Kojo Baffoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that gives insight into the way Pharrell's mind works and how he has been able to explore such a diverse range of initiatives. I will go back to it regularly. It is inspiring and has sparked quite a few ideas for me.

[Dan Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly a unique format for a book. With recorded conversations between Pharrel and some of his dear friends and heroes. The photographs correspond to the proceeding conversation. I especially enjoyed the conversations with Hans Zimmer and Buzz Aldrin.

[La'Tonya Miles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given how influential Pharrell Williams is, this book should have been more interesting. I don't mind coffee table books, but not boring ones. Still waiting for the memoir!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may have taken my almost a year to finish this book, but only because I wanted to savor it. This is my go-to for inspiration and creativity. Pharrell is a genius.

[Happy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

an experience ... talent and coolness on every page ... takes us from the 1990s to today ... shows us how seemingly disparate ideas, people and places play into Pharrell Williams's artistic vision

[Darrain Mumphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the interviews. I was nice to see who inspires such a man who has made such an impact in the world of pop and modern art.

[Ashley Razz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great man with so much creativity to offer.

[Spiders · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no other book that lets me into the mind of some of the world's top creatives. The conversations are so rich that I sometimes felt like I was in the room seeing the conversation unfold.

[Anggaallensyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's fun. it's sellout.