Recommended Reading



I absolutely love reading, collecting, and sharing great books. You can't beat that new book smell when the binding is still crispy, the pages fresh. Here's some of the standouts in my art book collection. I'm always looking for new additions to my library so drop me an email if you come across a great book you think I've omitted.
Links provided in Association with Amazon.com.

Click to purchase Patterns
Patterns: New Surface Design
Druisilla Cole
Lawrence King Publishing
There are very few books out there right now with an emphasis on surface design, so I was very happy to find Patterns. As diverse and inspiring as the artwork is, I feel like this lacks in the area of commercial surface design. I wouldn't say that this collection of work represents the whole of surface design, more like one little piece. Overall it's worth checking if you're interested in surface design- plus the cover has little fuzzy spots on and I love details like that.

Click to Purchase The Cutting Edge of Wallpaper
The Cutting Edge of Wallpaper
Black Dog Publishing
This is a very cool book. Whether you are into surface design or not, this one is a keeper. It showcases a diverse range of very contemporary styles with many photos of these designs in action. The very nature of surface design is that it is created for a specific application (in this case, walls) and it's great when a book actually shows you the design and then how it is applied to it's intended surface. That's the magic in the process. One trip through this book and you will shatter any preconceived notions you might have of your Grandparent's musty old wallpaper. Very cutting edge indeed!

Click to [purchase Ornate! (GRAPHIC, 08)
Graphic 08- Ornate!
BIS Publishers
Ornate! is one yummy piece of eye candy. This book is from the Netherlands (for some reason all of my favorites are from overseas) and has a very international vibe. I couldn't even begin to explain the depth of styles and cool surface design in here. I will say that the book has a great pacing consisting of interviews, profiles on artists, and full page images interspersed with thumbnail art against black. The creators of Ornate present surface design and illustration in a way that blurs the line between them and that's what I'm all about.



Click to purchase Illusive
(picture at Amazon.com is on the left, picture on the right is the cover I received)
Illusive: Contemporary Illustration and Its Context
Edited by Robert Klanten and Hendrik Hellige
Die Gestalten Verlag
This is another fantastic installment from Robert Klanten at Die Gestalten Verlag. A visual feast of today's illustration world, broken into sections based on style, not artist. This gives a unique perspective into the sub-categories of contemporary illustration and how different artists approach similar subjects. This is an absolute must for your bookshelf. Hands down the best book I have found in quite a while.



Click to purchase Wonderland
Wonderland
Edited by Robert Klanten, Sven Ehmann, Birga Meyer
Die Gestalten Verlag
Die Gestalten is a fantastic press and Wonderland is no exception. The dreamy images in this book are a constant source of inspiration. If you like this, you will also love it's sister book Romantik.



Click to purchase Romantik
Romantik
Edited by Robert Klanten, Sven Ehmann, Henni Hellige, Mika Mischler
Die Gestalten Verlag



Click to purchase Alphonse Mucha: The Spirit of Art Nouveau
Alphonse Mucha: The Spirit of Art Nouveau
Edited by Jane Sweeny
Yale University Press
Mucha's aesthetics are a designer's dream. His flowing forms framed by ornate- though never gaudy- borders are breathtaking. Through some strange twist of fate I wasn't really aware of Mucha's work until well into art school. I'm rather embarrassed to say that, because I still can't figure out why I knew all the other Art Nouveau artists, but was only vaguely aware of him. Thankfully a friend introduced this book to me. I shudder to think I almost left school without knowing Mucha's work.



Click to purchase Illustration Now!
Illustration Now!
Edited by Julius Wiedemann
Taschen
150 current, vibrant illustrators. What more can you ask for? This compilation stands out to me because of it's focus on mixed media and fresh artists. Everything is represented here from digital to traditional. Some of the more "traditional" annuals and compilation books have been slow to admit that the new world of digital art is out there. This book is not ashamed to showcase the new direction the illustration world has taken.



Click to purchase One Hundred Aspects of the Moon
One Hundred Aspects of the Moon: Japanese Woodblock Prints by Yoshitoshi
by Tamara Tjardes
Museum of New Mexico Press
Gorgeous prints by the artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). The story of the husband and wife that spent 26 years collecting the 100 prints is touching. A great place to go to refresh your sense of composition. At times fierce, at times quiet, these prints have remarkable diversity while still reading as a group.




Click to purchase Maximalism
Maximalism: The Graphic Design of Decadence & Excess
by Charlotte Rivers
RotoVision
I had such a hard time getting a hold of this book. I saw it at a bookstore in NYC one day and thinking I could find it cheaper online, I left without purchasing it. What a mistake. Almost a year later I finally got a copy from the UK. Of course a recent check of Amazon revealed a new edition has come out and it's no longer impossible to find. Oh well. Everything about this book is over-the-top. It is a lush collection of highly adorned international design that falls into today's category of "Maximalism", a reaction to the minimalism of design in the 90s. Food for creative thought.