Louise Fili’s Book List
Favorite books offer a certain intimacy—I can remember precisely where and when I found each one, and I keep them nearby on a dedicated shelf in my studio.
As a designer and teacher, I constantly rely on these books not only as a source of inspiration for my own work, but also to share; I savor the excitement of introducing them to my staff and students.
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This exhaustive documentation of the signage of Barcelona could convince even the non-designer to catch the next flight to Spain. Beautifully photographed and organized, it covers all aspects of urban facade embellishment—from door numbers to mosaics to hand-painted signs. I never tire of looking at this book, and turn to it often when I am seeking reference or general inspiration.
When legendary adman George Lois speaks, we all listen. Who can argue with rule # 46: “If all else fails, threaten to commit suicide.” I gave a signed copy to everyone on my staff.
This collection of late 19th-century letterpress samples, featuring novel compositions of decorative typefaces and ornaments in exquisite color palettes, is eye candy at its best.
This French sign painter’s manual has been a great source of inspiration for decades.
Although this book was published in 1898, the type samples always look remarkably fresh to me. Monograms, illuminated letters, and dimensional type make this hefty volume a favorite.
Designer Jake Tilson shares my affection for food, type, and Italy. This charming book features three distinctive fonts he created, inspired by a tomato can, a shop receipt, and the iconic stenciled street signage of Venice.
This two-volume set, with CD, is an exhilarating compendium of type specimens and ornaments from the U.S. and Europe. Volume One spans 1628 to 1900, and Volume Two from 1900 to 1938. Every time I open one of these books I find a new surprise.
In 13 short stories, the brilliant Sciascia deftly captures the essence of Sicily.
Announcements
New Book Release (U.S.), June 30, 2014: BMW Art Cars
Traces the development of the BMW Art Cars, the so-called “rolling sculptures” designed by artists including Alexander Calder, David Hockney, and Andy Warhol over the last 40 years.
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Thomas Girst, editor
Texts by Carl Magnusson, Phil Patton, et al.
Published by Hatje Cantz
Buy/pre-order and details
New Book Release: Platform 6, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Platform 6 presents a sampling of the work produced at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) during the past academic year. This work is indicative of the School’s commitment, as a global leader in the field, to exploring and articulating transformative ideas through the power of design.
Rosetta S. Elkin, Editor
Published by Actar
Details
New Book Release, March 31, 2014: Manuals 1: Design & Identity Guidelines
The first comprehensive study of corporate identity design manuals, featuring examples from the 1960s to early 1980s—the golden era of identity design.
Texts by Adrian Shaughnessy, et al.
Published by Unit Editions
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New Book Release, April 21, 2014: Drawing and Reinventing Landscape, AD Primer
Explores notions of representation in the discipline of landscape architecture at large and across time.
Diana Balmori
Published by John Wiley & Sons
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New Book Release (U.S.), May 20, 2014: The Duchamp Dictionary
More than 200 alphabetical illustrated entries on the most interesting and important artworks, relationships, people, and ideas in influential artist Marcel Duchamp’s life, including chess puns, the fourth dimension, love, genius, ready-mades such as Bicycle Wheel and Fountain, Peggy Guggenheim, Max Ernst, Man Ray, and Arturo Schwarz.
Thomas Girst
Published by Thames & Hudson (distributed in the U.S., by W. W. Norton)
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New Book Release (U.S.), May 1, 2014: Shape of Sound
Architect Victoria Meyers analyzes the shape of sound; architecture and sound; form; materiality; windows; the urban soundscape, its politics, aesthetics and social character; reflection; virtuality; sound art; and silence.
Victoria Meyers
Published by Artifice Books on Architecture
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