Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Graphic Lettering in Design






The latest offerings in the box project include a healthy dose of graphic lettering as part of the design,  in boxes for Gone with the wind, and one that houses some personal letters of Margaret Mitchell, and runes used for Tolkien.






When I first started in 2006, I found that the more graphic the cover, the easier I found it to design a cover, especially if the design centered around graphic lettering.The lettering was simply copied, enlarged, and featured prominently across the cover.Maybe 30-40, have been made that way.
Now, however, I feel that the easiest covers to design are those which leave your options open, and don't dictate direction by an overpowering cover.
...more to follow, including instructions on how to use plates when tooling onlays...

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

El Monstruoso Gigante..













It sounds like a roadside attraction, but no, its a 24 volume encyclopaedia in one volume, made for conceptual artist Vik Muniz





This 4 ft monster , nicknamed "la bestia" by the mastercraftsman, was overcast together 2x2 , had  3 channels pre-sawn into the back for sunk cords, around which were placed 18 thinner cords, which were then laced into a back plate, in order to help it stand straight.








The binding made an appealing shape when on its back, and made me think of rollerdex bindings, and german phone booths, and giant book slinkies.....another one filed under....