Essentially Odd: A Catalog of Products Created For and Sold at the 826 Stores

by 826 National (Commentary), Dave Eggers (Commentary), Elaina Stein (Designer)

One of the ways that 826 National funds its tutoring programming is by running storefronts in each city. Essentially Odd is a catalog of innovative and humorous products designed for and sold in the storefronts of 826 tutoring centers. Items include Scurvy-Be-Gone and Peg Leg Oil from the Pirate Store and Speed of Light (in a can) and a Secret Identity Kit from the Superhero Supply Company. The catalog also features notes and anecdotes about the design process from designers and artists with an introduction to 826 National’s programs and facts about each center. Contributors include by Sam Potts, Dave Eggers, Chris Ware, Colorquarry Design, Stefan G. Bucher, Studio Rayolux, Suhail Design, Work AC, Office Design, and more.

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2009

Reviews

[Chris]

Finally, all my needs addressed in one softbound catalog.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the amazing creativity of the 826 literacy centers and accompanying stores, and none of the fantastically useless and beautifully designed products in this catalog disappoints. I really enjoyed the blubs from the products' creators describing how they came up with their ideas. I was a little let down by the illustrations of the products in this book, though--I would have liked it better if the photographs of the items showed the full text of the product labels and logos, which are well-written and hilarious.