Art Deco Graphics

by Patricia Frantz Kery, Marshall Lee

This book still stands as the most comprehensive survey on the dynamic graphic design in the three decades before World War II, when economic and political upheaval mixed with a wild pursuit of gaiety, luxury, modernism and elegance to produce a style known variously as Modern, Skyscraper, Jazz Style and, eventually, Art Deco. Patricia Frantz Kery covers in depth the style's sources and explores the decorative 'fine arts' that formed a bridge between the radical modern movements and Deco commercial art. There are chapters on posters, magazines, commercial design, books, and fashion and costume, each with an illustrated introductory text followed by a portfolio of stunning illustrations of works that range from the established masterpieces of Art Deco to never-before-reproduced pieces found in Europe, Latin America, the United States and Japan. Art Deco Graphics is both a sourcebook and an inspiration for designers and illustrators, art directors and photographers, scholars and collectors, and for anyone interested in the graphic style of one of the most exciting periods in history.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty indepth history on the Art Deco period for graphics, but the author obviously has some biases and misses some major artists or mentions them in a condescending manner. Overall it is a pretty good reference book with some beautiful pictures to illustrate it. I do wish the author had gone a bit more into detail on some of the mechanics of how some of those art styles were done as they did with Pochoir technique since it is a book focusing on graphics and some of those printing techniques are nearly a lost art now.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the great classics and a lot more to boot in this wonderful collection of Art Deco designs. You can see the influences of this period on modern-day designers - some of the pieces in this book look very familiar to winners of recent graphic design awards. I especially love the Vanity Fair covers. Made me want to pick up a pencil and start sketching!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can really feel how much love Patricia Frantz Kery put in the making of this. Very recommendable!

[Jalu Wardhana · Rating 4 out of 5]

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