I BOUGHT #4

1. 14/41

Mash Creative owned Mark Bloom produced a book showcasing his favorite logos from the past 14 years. The book also includes 5 golden rules about approaching brand design. Really nice book design, lovely monochromatic design.

2. Design Assembly Book

I'm still yet to work this book out, I wasn't a huge follower of Design Assembly and to be honest bought the book on it's format alone. It's being hailed as award winning material and book of the year, really should tuck my nose into this.

3. Spiel Issue #3

I think I heard about this through It's Nice That and it was straight up my alley as an independent publication. The design on the fron echos old retro football shirts.

I BOUGHT #3

1. Type Revolution

Getting this was one of those rare moments I beet all the blogs. I avidly rummage through behance seeing if I can pick up any independant gemts, be they publication, poster or otherwise. This came across on a search for typographic layout. A 16-page boast. What the paper servers as is an advert for the website HypeForType, showcasing their newsest and best fonts. Designed by randomers pretty much (Ryan Atkinson & Stephan de Lange) whose work I've seen on behance before but though nothing of it. It's really nice and reminds me of finding the Toormix Paper randomly, also off behance.

2. Little White Lies Issue 39

I've seen this publication floating around for ages and to tell the truth, firstly I don't know why I didn't get it before, and secondly, what made me subscribe. Slightly contradicting statements but I'll try to explain. I was skeptical to getting the magazine because it was "just another subscription" (to pile on top of my CR sub, It's nice that sub, Wrap sub and more) but then at the end of Jan I decided I may as well get it in fear that i'm missing out on some quality stuff here. If it keeps popping up, it has to be for a valid reason.

3. A Smile In Mind

Finally, this old thing. And do you know what made me get this?

This picture. I thought if they have to nerve to burn a Golden pencil and then just one graphic design related book after it, on the same barbecue. This book has to mean something. The burning pic was to advertise a "Designer's Barbecue" held last July for top end designers. My invite... probably lost in the mail... or burnt.

I BOUGHT #2

1. It's Nice That Vol. 7

Accidentally subscribed to this twice so my girlfriend will be getting a reoccurring christmas present for the next 4 months. It's always good this publication, just basically pops a months worth of quality posts into paper form, adds a few interviews and a spotlight on some other designers. Really good.

2. Loose Leaf Edition 1

Ok, I got this last month but I don't care. I've been wanting this for ages and they reduced the price a little a bout 6/7 weeks ago so I just couldn't say no. Haven't opened it because I want somewhere to put it first. Had a little fun trying to get a version sent to me that wasn't bent. They sent it out first time and the corner was crumpled so the next time it got sent out, the packaging was covered in "FRAGILE' warning stamps. Makes me feel like they care.

3. Wrap Magazine Issue Three

HUGE Elastic bound paper full of illustration. The paper promoted alternative wrapping paper and gives free samples of paper available to buy from either their website of from freelance illustrators.

4. Grafik 193

Sadly, the last we'll be seeing from Grafik magazine, for now.

I really enjoyed their rejuvenated publication. The new look, branding, art direction everything. It was new design, put onto paper. It's so sad to see it go under again.

Fingers crossed we'll be seeing them again but I wont be holding my breath.

5. Cairo Divided

Saw this on a design blog a while back. The broadsheet-paper design was straight away an attention catcher, i'd started picking up a few free newspapers by now. Speaking of free, this was free as well. Just had to pay for the postage which didn't bother me at all. Definitely worth grabbing.

6 & 7. Loud and Quiet

Free newspaper I picked up from a music store in Letchworth and now I get it every month. It's just a no nonsense publication talking about music with interviews and gig dates yet every page is designed so well. Every month they change the main typeface they use or body text of main colour, it never looks the same twice. It's almost just an excuse to execute modern design.

8. The Stool Pidgeon

I found this publication for the first time in a bar in Brick Lane. Quality independent music newspaper which follows the same renegade design lines as the aforementioned.

I BOUGHT #1

I thought it would be a good idea. It was. These books are great, I especially recommend Colour Mania. I'm a massive fan of omni-colour design.
My design section on my bookshelf is really starting to get some big names on it. I'll post a picture once I have my new bookshelf put up. Ikea up in this!