Olle Eksell, Graphic Designer 5 - It is a shame that it was so hard to find information
about Eksell and his work. Nevertheless I find his work captivating and the lack of perspective and proportions is unsually eye pleasing.
Info: Sweden 1918 - 2007 Facts: - Mostly well-known for designing a logo for the "Cacao tom right) - Member of AGI
eye", a swedish chocolate manufacturer (bot-
(Alliance Graghique International) 1952 Icta, NewYork
- published several books one of which exhibits a wide collection of his work over the years ("Swedish
Graphic Designer": Pie Books,Tokyo 2006) <-- in the library -made logotypes, such as for a bank and a carpet industry. He designed and illustrated magazines, reports, etc. - Because the applied arts were not recognised as they should have been in those days in Sweden, (mostly concentrating on furniture, industrial etc) Olle and other students went to Los Angeles to receive professional education. Quotes
" You couldn't study graphics properly in Sweden." -Ben Bos (designrelated. com)
" real recognition such as becoming an honorary Professor only came at the time he was an elderly gentleman."
Future Systems, Architectural and Design practice 4 - I was astonished by their creativity and dedica-
tion to accomplish what seems unrealistic. In my eyes they have succeeded in being different and setting new standards in the world of architecture.
Info: London, since 1979 Facts: -officially started out as a part-time team of two architects, Jan
Kaplicky and David Nixon. It was turned into a full-time practice in 1989 when Amanda Levete joined the team. Quotes: In the office of Future System "every
received opinion about how a city, a building, a chair, a car, a table or even a book should be is challenged" "pleasure and delight are as important in the work here as form and function (something which is often overlooked by critics)" "Ignore popular taste it is usually very bad" -Jan Kaplicky "you have to be an architect 24 hours a day, 8 is not enought" -Jan Kaplicky Their work is not "industrial design, but a manifesto for architecture of the most authentic kind" Projects: -Floating footbridge in Docklands -NatWest Media
Centre at Lord's cricket ground in London -Completed the Selfridges building at the regenerated Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham.
Charley Harper, Illustrator 3 - Harper'svisual interpretation of how he sees wildlife brings the animals' personalities to life. I enjoy looking at his work because I believe his playfulness is sincere.
In fo: West Virginia, 1922 - 2007 Facts: -Father was a farmer therefore spent
childhood surrounded by nature - Spent 2 years in art school then went to the army till the end of the WWII - Worked for FORD TIMES for about 30 years Quotes: "a shadow is a simplification of the form that is casting it" "You can simplify everything with straight line and curves" "creativity
is the connecting of two things/ideas that never seemed to connect before, and making something new out of it" "I have a feeling that students in school can tend to lean on computers to do their work, and not learn to do life drawing, and not learn the basic aesthetic things as well" Inspirations/Practice:
- Water striders/ Jesus bugs and birds (looked
at physical and well as behaviour for markings) - Lost interest in realism, instead concentrated on colours, shapes, textures, design etc - Flatten images and create depth by overlapping layers instead of using shading - Whilst working in the army, other soldiers would ask for a postrait to send to their families
Matthew Carter, Typography Designer 2 - I don't think he ever thought he'd change the world, or that by sticking to simplicity he'd create amazingly revolutionary fonts.
Info: London, 1937 Facts: - Son of Harry Carter, typographical historian, and translator and editor of the English edition of Charles Enschede's typofoundries in the Netherlands. - created
over 70 typefaces - worked for mergenthaler linotype (1965, US corporation, world's leading manufacturer of book and newspaper), cofounded Bitstream (1981, one of the first digital type businesses), then went onto create Carter and Cone with Cherie Cone (1992) - He's made some the most well known and commonly used types such as Verdana, Georgia etc -commissioned to work for the New York Times and overall produced over 19 versions of their typeface Quotes:
"My job is to make type that;s readable" - which is one the reasons why is he is so famous
"Carter
created a bulletproof rhinoceros that could dance Swan
Jim LePage, Graphic Designer 1 - It is very rare to see good christian graphic design,
because most of the time it is very predictable. It always seems to lack that "outside the box" thinking, that would really get people's attention.
Info: Minnesota, USA Facts: -Christian
Artist and Graphic Design, (occasional photography) -Design Manager, Woodland Hills Church -January 2010 - Nov 2011, He initiated a personal project called "Word" where he created original designs for each book of the Bible. " So I decided to try and combine my love of design with my desire to read the Bible more." -worked on logos for homeless shelters, Ligonier Ministries and Water campaign for Haiti
-book cover design for "[Crap] Happens." in conjunction with a sermon series. organised by the church he works for -Imagery for "Encounter" (worship event) in Scotland Quotes: " One of the ways I
try to stay creative even when I'm not doing art or design work is by doing Design Treasure Hunts. Basically, I alway try to keep a look out for design treasures that are hidden in plain sight." (through photography)