Die Gestalten Verlag

Graphic designers have always developed and designed new fonts for application in individual projects. Playful Type discovers a new and young generation of designers who are applying typography beyond the classical typeset and creating a dynamic range of playful and illustrative fonts and ephemeral lettering. Playful Type examines how designers today are creating typography with the aid of a multitude of different techniques. From manual lettering, calligraphy and collage to manipulative time exposure of photographs, designers are developing fonts for the moment which are irregular and often accidental. Blocks of ice are even being staged as real characters and paper cut forms and shadows metamorphose into letters and spatial installations. This book shows such cutting-edge examples of elusive scripts that are being translated into serially employable alphabets to be used digitally with the computer. Playful Type presents an inspiring collection of illustrative fonts and hand-made typography created from a variety of cutting-edge approaches and indicates current development in font design.

A new breed of contemporary artists is celebrating newfound international recognition for their style and approach to creating art that is sprouting from and largely influenced by visual subcultures. These young artists, many of whom are associated with the widespread movements of Lowbrow Art and Neo-Surrealism, share similarities with the popular art movements of the 1960s and 70s as well as urban art. The term Lowbrow may sound self-deprecating; rather it represents a distinctive artistic composition and technical approach in which art is produced. The Upset documents this movement and the artists associated with it. Feeding off an array of popular subcultures, they often draw influences from anime, comic books, graffiti and street art as well as character design. The often figurative and narrative artworks featured here employ classical techniques with great skills to create sculpture, illustration, design and painting with the use of spray cans, sharpies and elaborate colour palettes on canvas. With the evolution of new media, artists are also blending these elements with various disciplines in contemporary visual art. Many of the artists in The Upset enjoy international fame and are represented in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide. The book also introduces a selection of promising talent who are breaking new ground, making it the perfect source book for those interested in fine art and discovering young artists. Featured artists: Maike Abetz / Oliver Drescher, Alexone, Grant Barnhart, Gary Baseman, Tilo Baumgartel, Tim Biskup, Mark Bradford, Daniele Buetti, Cailan Burns, Ray Caesar, Miguel Calderon, John Casey, Paul Chatem, The Clayton Brothers, Joe Coleman, John Currin, Brendan Danielsson, Stephan Doitschinoff, Blaise Drummond, Dzine, Ala Ebtekar, Martin Eder, David Ellis, Ron English, Faile, Christian Farner, Rosemarie Fiore, FriendsWithYou, Camille Rose Garcia, Os Gemeos, Michael Genovese, Charles Glaubitz, Benjamin Güdel, Robert Hardgrave, Maya Hayuk, Ryan Heshka, Femke Hiemstra, Cody Hudson, Gisela Insuaste, Rich Jacobs, John John Jesse, Colin Johnson, Mel Kadel, David Kassan, Aya Kato, David Kinsey, Henning Kles, Kozyndan, Susanne Kuehn, Mia Mäkila, Mateo, Elizabeth McGrath, Casey McKee, Jason McLean, Philip Metten, Moki, Brendan Monroe, Heiko Müller, Muntean/Rosenblum, Yoshimoto Nara, Aaron Nather, Anne Faith Nicholls, Jose Parla, Nigel Peake, Raymond Pettibon, Danielle de Picciotto, Anthony Pontius, Pooch, Johan Potma, Jeremy Pruitt, Leopold Rabus, Scott Radke, Rex Ray, Scott Rench, Daniel Richter, Rostarr, Christoph Ruckhaberle, Mark Ryden, Christoph Schmidberger, David Schnell, Sebastian Schrader, Michael Sieben, Michael Slack, Jeff Soto, Fred Stonehouse, David Stoupakis, Swoon, Johannes Tiepelmann, Chris Uphues, Miss Van, Vania | Ivan Zouravliov, Matthias Weischer, Martin Wittfooth and Chet Zar.

»Los Logos 4» is the latest addition to Gestalten‘s line of books on contemporary logo design. This compendium provides an authoritative overview of current developments and advances in logo design, one of the most prestigious of creative disciplines which represent the essential visual identity of brands, companies and their philosophies. At 568 pages, «Los Logos 4» is the largest volume to date, showcasing a collection of contemporary logo design by bourgeoning design talent and once again offering an essential resource for all designers. This state-of-the-art visual encyclopaedia provides a quality selection of over 5,000 examples of stylistic approaches by designers from around the globe. Fully indexed and structured thematically, the book draws connections between the applications and the fields for which they were intended. «Los Logos 4» is the perfect companion to the Logos series and an unparalleled publication on contemporary logo design. The series has proved to be a precursor to styles and trends in logo design and highlighted the increased relevance and importance of the logo in the 21st Century.

Russian-born Vania Zouravliov’s surreally haunting illustrations capture a mixture of innocence, brutality, beauty and decay. Inspired by a diverse range of influences, Vania draws inspiration from sources as seemingly opposite as Russian romantic folklore, Japanese illustration and pop culture. His resulting drawings are elaborately composed and demonstrate the technical brilliance of an old master. In artworks that often depict beautiful women involved in macabre or erotic scenes, Vania’s intense emotional style evokes a nostalgia rooted in the artist’s Russian background and attributed to the imagery of Russian silent and art house movies. His dark motifs are intricately layered and full of powerful symbolism, often with sadomasochistic references, that are both provocative and sensitive and which represent the vulnerable relationship between innocence and affliction. As the first monograph on the artist’s work, this publication presents the expansive scope of an exceptional talent. As a prodigy in his homeland, Vania has exhibited internationally since the age of thirteen, and has continued to produce a vast range of work for both commercial clients and as an independent artist.

Strike a Pose documents a new extroverted architectural language. Manifested in spectacular structures, eccentric forms and vivid colours, this expressive approach goes way beyond conventional stylistic and geographic boundaries. Strike a Pose leads the reader around the globe to iconographically charged scenes and futuristic spaces, with examples of architectural playfulness and experimental wanderlust ranging from private residences to schools and operas, museums and interior design. Conceived and edited by Lukas Feireiss, the editor of Spacecraft, this publication inspires beyond the traditional borders of genre, further indicating architecture’s pop appeal and its contagious and entertaining effect.

SEEK is a collaborative formed by Sarah Cooper and Nina Gorfer. Their work is based on an inter-cultural interest using a fusion of techniques acting as directors, writers, adventurers, researchers, photographers and artists creating conceptual and anthropological visual narratives about a country or place. SEEK Volume 01: Iceland is their first publication that documents their multilayered project conceived during their studies at the HDK School of Design and Crafts at Göteburg University that experiments with visual styles, the art of storytelling and graphical structures. A supremely evocative book — through pictorial maps and compelling photographs — SEEK Volume 01: Iceland, records timeless legends, ghost stories and personal histories. Starring a cast of Icelandic characters, it reveals beautiful intricately collaged narratives that seamlessly merge one into the other. It is a vivid and striking publication that experiments with visual styles, the art of storytelling and graphical structures presenting an opaque and desolate mystique where the bizarre meets history.

Youth culture and brands have always had a convoluted relationship both influencing and feeding off each other alike. The term “gepflegt krass” is German slang used mainly by youth culture for awesome or cool. «Gepflegt: KRASS» takes youth culture and the visual culture of brands as a starting point to investigate this complex correlation and incisively analyses the multifaceted dynamic of branding culture. This large format publication is critical, challenging and at the same time a theoretical expedition into the world of branding, penetrating a topic that is widely researched yet difficult to keep abreast of due to its ceaseless development. Presented in an exciting collage with manifold layers of text and photography pervading each page, «Gepflegt: KRASS» defines the visual identities of luxury brands and examines the attraction and fascination youth culture have with them. It presents real cultural studies with quotes from pop stars and celebrities as well as slogans and excerpts from literature. Questions are raised such as how to define, create and communicate value and how brands construct our self-perception – they are then taken out of their context and put back into a new context providing ample analysis. This academic publication documents the unique research project Brands&Branding — Topologies of Contemporary Brand Culture carried out by the respected Institut für Theorie der Gestaltung und Kunst Zürich which explores the multi-faceted layers and interrelationships between youth culture, subcultures and brands.

»Classique» introduces 777 of the most inspiring classical LP covers from their heyday, documenting groundbreaking art work and cover culture that is typical for the epoch. In the same way that an attractive cover lures you into buying a record, «Classique» entices readers, taking them on a journey through the magnificent evolution of record cover art. Ranging from romantic motifs, naturalism, abstract art, psychedelic and surreal experimentation to supernatural artwork and pure unadulterated kitsch, the diverse examples of classical cover design assembled in the book are immense. Compiled by avid record collector Horst Scherg, the cover art featured in this book is taken from his substantial collection and presented in fifteen chapters. Each chapter is dedicated to the stylistic approaches significant to each decade from the 1950s to the 1980s, the variety and characteristic trends for countries such as the US, England and Russia, the different musical genres, the graphic mediums practised from illustration, poster art and photography and the record companies of the times including Deutsche Grammophon, Decca and Capitol. Classique also gives an overview of record producers with information on their repertoires even including those sought-after record labels for the audiophile classical collector. Because design for music has always served as fertile grounds for experimental work and developments in graphic art, this book is not only for aficionados and creatives. but also for everyone interested in visual culture.

The BLK/MRKT Gallery in Los Angeles is one of the most influential galleries for new contemporary art. Rich with striking images, BLK/MRKT TWO presents current work from a selection of artists associated with the gallery that illustrate the most current forms of visual expression and trends in art today. These artists include David Ellis, Ian Francis, Mark Dean Veca, Lucy McLaughlan, Mel Kadel, Dave Kinsey, Mark Jenkins, Marion Lane, Tiffany Bozic, Gregory Euclide and Ben Tour.

Behind Bars, dgv’s first release in collaboration with Frame Publishers, features 40 innovative venues located in every corner of the world. An inspiring compilation, the book covers a broad spectrum of bars in various design styles by designers such as Marc Newson, Thomas + Nilsson and Staat – from those serving juice to coffee to cocktails. Each project is presented on eight lavish pages with copious photos of the interior, interviews with the designers, floor plans and detailed project information.

Black Magic, White Noise presents an unsettling and fascinating collection of visuals focusing on the physical and the psychological as interpreted by contemporary designers from around the globe. From dark images of mystery and horror to works in which the irrational infiltrates broad daylight, the book draws its readers into an ambivalent world of chillingly beautiful illustration, photography, graphic design, collage, painting and installation. Not for the fainthearted, Black Magic, White Noise is a potent cocktail of the drastic themes and motifs that are being used and finding widespread acceptance in present-day design and other creative disciplines.

Furnish presents furniture and rooms that are redefining our current understanding of furnishings and interior design. The book documents and puts into context recent work by designers, artists and architects who are creating and using furniture in pioneering ways. The experimental objects and spaces documented in Furnish are not only a sure indicator of the trends that will be influencing interiors for the next few years, but they also serve as innovative examples of interdisciplinary design work that are inspiring for anyone working creatively.

Over the last years, Hi-ReS! has established itself as one of the world’s leading studios in the realisation and implementation of sophisticated interactive commercial projects. Its strength lies not only in its masterful linear storytelling, but also in its creation of sensual interactive experiences that pair an artistic, tongue-in-cheek approach with strong marketing sensibilities. This book with DVD is the first to present a scintillating collection of projects by Hi-ReS! for a wide range of clients – from companies such as MTV, Diesel, Sony, Toyota and Nokia to musicians such as Beck and Massive Attack as well as feature films such as “Donnie Darko”.

Since we published Illusive, our first collection of contemporary illustration from around the world, the demand for work in this medium has continued to grow – and with it its range of application and forms of expression. This positive development is confirmed by the exciting work of international illustrators that we have seen since its publication, and it was thus a logical step to present the best of these new works in Illusive 2. The book features an impressive variety of illustration styles and new design approaches that have become more differentiated and complex in comparison to the spontaneous-looking scribbles of years past.

Kelvin investigates today’s evolving perception and application of colour. Structured into chapters that each focus on a single colour, the book documents some of the effects of the deliberate use of colour in recent top quality design work. Alongside images of clear and distinctive colour allocation, Kelvin also includes more intricate and playful examples that illustrate contemporary colour combinations. This ensures that the reader is introduced to the subject of colour in an instructive as well as an associative and experimental way.

Latex for Fun features a collection of characters made using balloons or other latex objects by 88 designers from around the world. Their work reflects various styles, personalities and cultures. Whether they are admiring the balloon astronauts, balloon terrorists or a sad balloon girl whose balloon boyfriend just popped, readers will be more and more amazed at each page at the original results designers can put together by very simple means.

Lost Control is the self-deprecating title of the new publication by Neasden Control Centre. The book presents graphic design, installations and collages in NCC’s incomparable style that always comes across as simultaneously spontaneous and calculated. These seemingly contradictory, but in NCC’s work so coherently united characteristics give their work a powerful appeal. Neasden Control Centre is not only influencing creatives from around the world today, but is also being increasingly recognised by international museums such as the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and clients such as Volkswagen.

NeoGeo documents the new flirtation with geometrical forms and solid colours in today’s design. The examples in the book make it clear that this current trend to abstract work is not a nostalgic phenomenon; rather, it borrows from illustration, collage, typography and computer art to create a whole new visual language. If one can identify any trend in today’s diverse design, it would be the new flirtation with geometrical forms and solid colours. The book that documents this development is accordingly called NeoGeo. Basic forms such as circles, squares and triangles are being increasingly used in creative work. One sees crystalline structures, diamonds, rhombi, patterns and grid-like frames. Elements influenced by the psychedelic and OpArt of the 1960s and 70s are being combined with the acid colours of the late 80s. NeoGeo makes clear that this current abstract work is not a nostalgic phenomenon; rather, it borrows from illustration, collage, typography and computer art to create a whole new visual language.

Non-Format is a London-based design studio that has built a formidable international reputation with exceptional graphic design and illustrations that are strikingly innovative and fresh yet have a timelessness that goes beyond fleeting style trends. This monograph presents the full spectrum of their work, which ranges from delicate drawings for album covers to riveting advertisements for Coke and Nike, as well as pristine graphic design for publications such as Varoom or the UK music magazine The Wire.

Drag racing is a down-to-earth form of motor sport that is both accessible and aff-ordable. It fascinates an ever-growing community of fans from around the world. This has partly to do with the sport itself, but certainly also with drag racing’s very individual brand of aesthetics when it comes to the cars and the people who drive, repair and admire them. Drag racing is a mix of uproariously loud, primordial displays of power and high-tech; its drivers love the sport but flirt openly with destruction and putting their lives in danger. Speed Kings presents photographs by Dirk Behlau that skilfully capture the adrenalin-fuelled atmosphere of suspense on and alongside the track, as well as the eroticism of the machines and the people who give their lives for a few seconds of the ultimate kick. Start your engines!

In 2004, we published Sonic, our bestseller that presented visuals for music. Along with the continuing proliferation and success of MP3s and the iPod over the last three years, engaging cover and packaging design have become even more important reasons for listeners to buy music in its traditional forms. Supersonic results from and investigates these recent developments. Supersonic presents over 320 striking pages of today’s best-designed music products with a focus on Independent and Alternative Rock as well as Electronica. In addition to abundant visuals, the book contains an informative foreword and features portraits of selected designers and companies, who are creating outstanding work in these musical fields. The diverse examples are structured into chapters with introductory texts that put each new subject into context for the reader. With its stunning images from today’s most exciting music, Supersonic is a source of inspiration for all music insiders and the graphic artists creating music packaging and visual identities for bands. Because design for music is a field where experimental work thrives and new trends develop that go on to influence other fields, this book is also a veritable “must-have” for a general audience of creatives as well as concertgoers and gift givers.

New developments occur when boundaries are crossed. Today, the most progressive designers are working at the intersection of various creative disciplines. They are challenging existing design principles and defining them anew. Many designers from different areas are choosing to no longer work exclusively in two dimensions and are instead dealing intensively with space, material and physical products. The book Hidden Track investigated this development in 2005 and portrayed it in its breadth for the first time. Now, Tactile shows how graphic design is moving into three-dimensional objects and products and presents graphic design that works with space – or the perception of space. The book focuses less on murals than on products, objects, installations and collage that demonstrate how designers are developing and implementing their ideas spatially from the very outset of a given project. Tactile proves that spatial innovation in graphic design is not limited to personal work or artistic endeavours for exhibition, but is being sought out more and more often by commercial clients, for example in store design. With its insight into this experimental field of graphic design, Tactile targets young, progressive designers as well as professionals from the fields of advertising, architecture and interior design. Because its topical content is compiled in a way that highlights the interesting multi-disciplinary interactions between the various works, Tactile also offers inspiration for creatives in fashion, lifestyle and art.

What is a Meta-Tag? What kind of measurement is DIN A1? What kind of clearance and documents do you need before using copyrighted material? An interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of design is practically requisite these days with the integration and crossover of evolving media. Today, many students finish their education and enter the professional world without having learned these critical elements. «The Little Know-It-All» gives you the help you need with a run-down of all the fundamental information designer need to know in their own as well as adjoining disciplines. This book is divided into sections explicating unique vocabulary used in design, printing, typography and photography, and includes helpful tips and concise analysis in contiguous areas such as advertising, multimedia, business copyright and project management. It is structured thematically and equipped with a resourceful index which references numerous sources and links. This indispensable manual is complete with graphics that illustrate and supplement the texts, making it a stimulating reference book for students and newcomers while serving as a trusty companion for professional designers and media professionals alike in their everyday work.

All Allure expands on the classical world of erotic motifs and displays a contemporary approach on erotic visual culture by presenting works from graphic design, fashion illustration, photography and performance art. The captivating works collected in this book are the best indication of the trend of eroticism outside the mainstream. The sexy, romantic, seductive, provocative, sensual and sometimes naïve charm of these images is surprising, fresh and original.