Elegantissima: The Design and Typography of Louise Fili

by Louise Fili

Louise Fili has been an inspiration for designers around the world since the 1980s, when she raised the bar on book cover design, creating close to two thousand jackets as art director for Pantheon Books. In 1989 Fili founded her own graphic design studio, Louise Fili Ltd, and branched out into the fields of restaurant and food packaging design. Her lavish and elegant typography, often hand drawn, helps advertise and market such well-known brands as Sarabeth's, Bella Cucina, Jean-Georges, and Good Housekeeping, among many others. Known for her intense attention to detail, her fresh reinterpretation of vintage sources, and her passion for all things Italian, Fili has won numerous awards. Elegantissima , the first monograph on her work, covers the breadth of her nearly forty-year design career and is a must-have for graphic design students and professionals, as well as anyone interested in advertising, food, restaurants, Italy, and books.

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

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2012

Reviews

[First Second Books]

Louise Fili has been an inspiration for designers around the world since the 1980s, when she raised the bar on book cover design, creating close to two thousand jackets as art director for Pantheon Books. In 1989 Fili founded her own graphic design studio, Louise Fili Ltd, and branched out into the fields of restaurant and food packaging design. Her lavish and elegant typography, often hand drawn, helps advertise and market such well-known brands as Sarabeth’s, Bella Cucina, Jean-Georges, and Good Housekeeping, among many others. Known for her intense attention to detail, her fresh reinterpretation of vintage sources, and her passion for all things Italian, Fili has won numerous awards. Elegantissima, the first monograph on her work, covers the breadth of her nearly forty-year design career and is a must-have for graphic design students and professionals, as well as anyone interested in advertising, food, restaurants, Italy, and books.

[Lichia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most perfect books I've ever held in my hands, delicious from beginning to end. Louise Fili's attention to detail and design sensitivity is evident on every single page.

[Jessica Zirkel-Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am slowly savoring this gorgeous, inspirational book. Louise Fili is such a creative genius and true talent that I may just forgive her snobbery towards NJ.

[Daniela Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how great this was this book is so great

[Ana Clode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. A must have for lettering lovers!!!

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. Love Fili’s work. Every designer needs this on their shelf.

[David López · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely magnifico.

[NZBook Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like elegant graphic design, and particularly lettering, Louise Fili is a great place to start. A monster book packed with examples of her work. I particularly liked the intro letter from her now-husband and great graphic design writer, Steven Heller. Again, I discovered Louise through following Jessica Hische - Louise was the one person smart enough to employ JH when she sent out a promo after leaving design school. I can see LF's influence in JH's work and this book filled in all the gaps to show the diverse range of work that LF has done in her career, from stunning book covers to restaurant branding and food labels. Divine.

[Kathleen Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything the title promises — elegant. It makes me happy just to look at it. If you are a designer, or someone who appreciates genius in the arrangement of line, shape and color, you must get this book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous. Louise Fili's designs are full of personality, and I loved reading the witty back stories. I thought this might just be a coffee table book that I flipped through now and then, but I ended up reading it cover-to-cover.

[Bill Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a great designer! What I found interesting is that you see sketches and she talks about the design process, rather than just being a catalog of her work. Some nice insights and humor.

[LOL_BOOKS]

BEST MOVIE, SHOW, BOOK AND SONG OF THE YEAR? PICK ONE.

BOOK: LOL I GUESS PAPER GIRLS BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN AND CLIFF CHIANG. IL CLIFF CHIANG'S LINE QUALITY. I ALSO READ ELEGANTISSIMA BY LOUISE FILI WHICH IL'D.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaw dropping beautiful design.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring! A lovely read and a fantastic reference to keep on the shelf.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Brian Sooy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise's work is as delightful as she is in person. Aspiring type designers and lovers of type will enjoy her smart work, smart thinking, and gain insights into her sources of inspiration.

[Cate Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, gorgeous lettering. Eleganissima is a book of pure inspiration.

[Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous typography - very inspiring.

[Amanda Schutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of Louise's work.

[Stormy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel I have found a new friend in typography and design. Yay.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very, very beautiful.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful peek inside the work of designer Louise Fili