It’s Christmas, so here are…

What I love about Christmas is that it’s the one period of the year when I don’t have to feel guilty spending all my time browsing in book shops or online through book seller’s websites. I can pretend I’m buying presents for other people, it’s great! I love buying books and sometimes I read them too (although mostly they are books about illustration and design so it’s for the images).

Here are a few I’d recommend getting your hands on with your Christmas book vouchers…

Illustration: A Theoretical and Contextual Perspective – Alan Male

A serious examination of Illustration. Unlike most other books it’s not just a collection of great images. Brilliantly compiled and illustrated book, discussing every genre from children’s books, editorial, advertising, etc. It features leading illustrators’ (both established and contemporary) giving commentaries, really interesting ‘step by steps’ and a look at importance of research amongst many other brilliant items. Also it has a thorough look at the business side. This is Highly Recommended.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

Fingerprint: The Art of Using Handmade Elements in Graphic Design – Chen Design Associates

A new approach to design is gaining momentum as more and more designers seek to combine the power of the computer with the personal qualities of handmade elements. “Fingerprint” offers insight into this fusion of the digital and the hand-wrought, with dozens of examples of some of the best work in the industry, including design that includes hand-lettering elements and design that incorporates collage. Featuring essays from some of the design community’s leading thinkers, this book is an indispensable look at the future of design.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

Sometimes I Think, Sometimes I Am – Sara Fanelli

Fanelli’s originalilty has brought a breath of fresh air to the world of picture books with an off-beat humour and an inventive approach to everything from page design and typography to choice of materials. I love it and her!

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

New Masters of Poster Design – John Foster

This is a very up to date collection of poster portfolios from graphic designers/illustrators form around the world. Besides the overall quality, the interesting point is the diversity (of origins and approaches) and the texts about the creation process of each piece. It collects 30 profiles of the top poster designers around the globe as well as feature a ‘next wave’ section of 20 of the most innovative young designers that the world should be watching. A must have.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

Hand Job: A Catalog of Type – John Foster

This book pulls together hand done type from all kinds of sources. If you are a graphic designer or illustrator, this is an overwhelming source of inspiration, I steal from look at it everyday. It has something for everyone, and is worth every penny and more.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

The Way Back Home – Oliver Jeffers

Another great illustrated book for children of all ages. Oliver’s simple style is complimented by a sweet story. No child will disappointed and another indication of how a children’s book is a great way of getting your work into many (many, many in this case) hands.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

Here are some more books recommended by fellow IGI members…

The Curiously Sinister World of Jim Flora – Irwin Chusid

Steve Simpson is looking for this tome if anyone hasn’t bought this years present for him already. A follow-up to The Mischievous Art of Jim Flora, it presents a broad spectrum of his popular commercial work for some of the leading record labels of the 1940s, as well as his personal paintings, early 1940s musician caricature portraits from Columbia Records, photographs, personal keepsakes, prints, and more. A total original.You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

The Snow Queen – Hans Christian Anderson, Christian Birmingham

Nicola Sedgwick just saw this book in Hughes and Hughes Dun Laoghaire a couple of days ago. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen and wonderful illustrator Christian Birmingham. As far as I can see it is new out. Hardback, absolutely beautiful illustrations throughout. They are done in his usual medium – pastels. Great Christmas present for a young person or anyone interested in art.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life

Adrienne Geoghegan gives us this great book, that everyone should have…I have just discovered the work of Charley Harper. I can now see his influence everywhere. This beautiful and large format book is about 100 euro!!!! I WANT IT!!! It is worth it though (I hope, as it’s on my wish list). It spans his five decade career. His life story is very interesting as I googled him a bit. I love Tim Biskup’s work, and now realise how influenced he is by this Charley guy. I also love the work of Mary Blair, all very ‘retro’ now, but again not dissimilar to Charley and Tim. He has had a huge influence on designers and artists, familiar with his work. Published by Ammo Books, also boxed limited editions for a LOT of money this very impressive title comes with one of four different artist’s prints, signed and numbered by both Charley Harper and teh auther (designer) Todd Oldham.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories: A Collection of the comic Strips of the Perry Bible Fellowship.

Johnny McMonagle recommends this book. This is just great! He succinctly puts it. The award-winning Perry Bible Fellowship has a achieved a cult following both online and in its weekly appearances in newspapers and magazines around the world. Now, for the first time, the hilarious cartoons of Nicholas Gurewitch are being collected in this handsome hardcover edition.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

The Enchanted Dolls House by Robyn Johnson

Last year Fiona O’Donnell bought The Enchanted Dolls House by Robyn Johnson. It’s published by The Five Mile Press who publish rare and unusual books. It’s really decorative and the detail is amazing – everytime you open it you’ll see something you didn’t notice before. It features four period dolls houses, has some pop up pages and lots of flaps which uncover secrets etc…for any girl who loves dolls (not Barbie or Bratz etc!!) it’s a really special book. They say the age range is 9 -12 but personally I think girls from 7 up would appreciate it. And adults will marvel at the detail. The cover features an illustration of a dolls house, is embossed with fabric and opens with a tassel.

You can get this in most bookshops or online here…

This entry was posted on Friday, December 7th, 2007 at 11:46 am and is filed under Books, Illustration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.