My special Amsterdam design porn
I spent the last few days over in the Netherlands at a design event the town of Groninger. Not only was it an excellent event and a chance to meet up with Donald Beekman and Max Kisman, but on the way back I got the chance to stop off in Amsterdam.
Unusually for an Englishman in Amsterdam I didn't head straight for the red light district of the Hash bars, but straight for the cities excellent design book stores. WOW!
House Industries, have you got your hands on a copy of this book yet, full of Humour fonts and there story, and Dutch Type which is going to keep me reading for weeks (and features both Beekman and Kisman).
Has anyone got either of these books, what did you think?
Jim
===
You can read a few words about the Groninger design event I wrote for a English design magazine here : http://www.hellofonts.com/dutch.html
23.Apr.2004 8.52am
I have Dutch Type.
While I don't care for Kisman and Beekman, the focus of the
book is thankfully all inclusive. I'm sure a few were missed,
but the collection of Dutch type designers is exhausting.
I could go on, but the major players all have great features
that often include original sketches, specimens and excerpts
from exlcusive interviews with the author. Nice, because
many times the work of these designers is only shown with
repeat FF specimens or well worn publicity promos.
The focus on the complete spectrum of dutch type designers is
especially commendable, even the really young and unpublished
Arnhem students.
Additionally, cultural and educational influences are discussed
in small 1 to 3 page sections between many of the chapters.
For instance, the Gerrit Noordzij influence, the Arnhem students etc.
Also, I'd be interested to hear reactions from readers of the book
after reading 320 pages of Peter Verheul's new Versa.
I found myself really liking it.