For the first instalment there could only be one option: a stack of graphic design books from the collection of our creative director Tony.
When Unit Editions first started out it was the quality of these titles that I aspired to. Many are sold out but there are some that can still be found.
1. Yusaku Kamekura: The Works. Rikuya-sha Publishing, Inc. 1983.
A Japanese great, Kamekura designed the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games identity amongst many other projects.
2. Karl Gerstner, Die Neue Graphik/The New Graphic Art/Le Nouvel Art Graphique. Niggli. 1959.
A new publication on Karl Gerstner is long overdue — his innovative work in graphics, advertising and art is well worth checking out.
3. Albe Steiner, Comunicazione Visiva. Fratelli Alinari. 1977.
Classic, iconic and stylish work.
4. Helmut Schmid, Typography Today. Seibundo Shinkosha. 1980.
Typography Today features many of the leading European lights from the late seventies and early eighties, masterfully curated by Helmut Schmid. His own work is on display in the book; he operates within a refined, focused typographic and colour palette, and his innovative use of space and experimental layouts have an expressive, human touch. Visual poetry. His books can be tricky to find but worth the search.
5. Armin Hofmann: His Work, Quest and Philosophy. Birkhäuser. 1989.
6. Armin Hofmann: Graphic Design Manual: Principles and Practice. Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1977.
Any book that features Armin Hofmann is going to be interesting — a great designer and teacher. Graphic Design Manual is still available, as is Armin Hofmann Poster Collection (which is also very affordable).
7. Karel Martens, Printed Matter/Drukwerk. Hyphen Press. 1996. Karel Martens, Robin Kinross, Jaap Van Triest. Design by Karel Martens.
A rich and thoughtful monograph with a radical layout, this book feels beautiful with its ‘cold glue’ binding. There are a number of excellent books and publications by Karel — worth checking out Roma Publications.
8. Beauty and the Book: 60 Jahre Die schönsten Schweizer Bücher/Les plus beaux livres suisses fêtent leurs 60 ans/60 years of The most beautiful Swiss books (French/German/English). Niggli. 2004.
Beautifully designed by Julia Born. One of our favourites — good luck getting your hands on a copy.
9. Wim Crouwel: Mode en module. 010. 1997. Wim Crouwel, Frederike Huygen, Hugues Boekraad. Design Karel Martens.
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Wim and his wife Judith when working on his exhibition at the Design Museum. This book covers his incredible range and quality. His masterful use of modular forms and colour, his intelligence and clarity of thought all shine through; he is second to none. There are several books on Wim — Wim Crouwel: Typographic Architectures and Wim Crouwel: Modernist are both very good.
10. De wereld moe(s)t anders/The World must Change: Grafisch ontwerpen en idealisme/Graphic Design and Idealism. Sandberg Instituut/De Balie. 1999. Design by Mevis and Van Deursen.
A vibrant, provocative, beautiful book.
11. Grapus 82: 100 Affiches au Musée de l’Affiche et de la Publicité. Henri Veyrier. 1982.
Grapus was a very early influence — I was lucky enough to get to know Pierre Bernard a little bit, hard to argue with the impact and attitude of their work.
— TB
