House Industries: The Process Is the Inspiration

by House Industries, Andy Cruz, Rich Roat

A standard-bearer of American design since 1993, House Industries answers the burning question, "Where do you find inspiration?" with this illustrative collection of helpful lessons, stories, and case studies that demonstrate how to transform obsessive curiosity into personally satisfying and successful work. Presented in House's honest, authentic, and often irreverent style, and covering topics ranging from fonts and fashion to ceramics and space technology, this beautifully useful 400-page volume offers a personal perspective on the origin of ideas for creative people in any field. Most important, this book shows that there's no sense in waiting for inspiration because inspiration is already waiting for you.

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

400 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you into graphic design? Do you wonder how great ideas get worked out? Do you want to see some good case studies of the same? Good you should read this book.

But, if you are not into graphic design, or any type of design, then this will be 400 pages of nice, but not something you would want to read through. The pictures are nice though, and House Industries has had some interesting campaigns over the years.

But, as I said, it is an acquired taste.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review

[Tim Lapetino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is marvelous. It chronicles the incredible lettering, design and other work of House Industries, which is so impressive--and which left quite an impression on me as a young designer in the late 90s and early oughts. But the book is also a gleeful, wonderfully over-designed (and I mean that in the best possible way!) tribute to their down-to-earth and passionate approach to design.

House epitomizes great craft, hardworking values an deep love for esoterica-into-practice. Leaning into hobbies, embracing tangents--all of these lessons are stuffed into this great volume, and it was a joy to read from beginning to end.

This volume is beautiful and finely tuned like a muscle car, with multiple paper stocks, metallic inks, spot varnishes and other design icing that never feels gratuitous or overcooked. This is the best book I've read in years and I recommend it heartily to any designer friend or visualist I know.

[Mystery · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I began reading the book, it was not what I thought it was and I quickly lost interest. It remained on my bookshelf for a long long time before I decided to pick it back up and read. It was very enlightening to see how much was put into the process of getting any particular project done and what it took to come to the result. As a designer, there are times when I was to dive right in with my hands and come up with other projects in the excitement, and I could fully understand House Industries approach on trial and error and pushing projects beyond the initial brief. The book resonated with me and my approach and secretly I wish I was closer to them to go and visit.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute joy to read! With its gorgeous collection of images and case studies, along with the witty copy and personal anecdotes, this book is a real opportunity to get inside the collective minds of House Industries. This book also proves that House practices what they preach. The attention to detail from the binding, to the layout, and interior paper treatment helps tie this book together in a tactile, have-to-see-it-to-believe-it way. Borrowed this copy, but can't wait to get one for my shelf -- it's destined to be an immediate staple in my inspiration library.

[Kyle Scheele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal. It's PACKED with visual inspiration, great stories, and behind-the-scenes info on House industries. But the thing that struck me most was the VOLUME of content. It just keeps going and going and going, and the whole thing is amazing. This, along with Draplin's book, has become my go-to book for visual inspiration.

[Charles Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Design at its best, House Industries has touched nearly all facets of the profession and synthesized their hobbies and interests into a timeless, masterfully-crafted portfolio. Anyone looking to be inspired creatively could take something away from this inspiring collection. And, as a testament to the source, it's beautifully designed!

[Paco · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like typography, graphic design or even just art, this is a great book. I love the stories they tell about the partnerships and friendships they made over time.

Beautifully designed and printed book.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing book, an inside look at creativity

[Brenda Ritter Metcalfe Fish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not what I expected.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

Such an incredible group of designers.

Amazing archive and retrospective!