Bits and Bobs and Typography | London.

First of all, it was London Design Festival last week. Sad but true, the industry is in financial shit-hole, I'm afraid. There were, of course, some good exhibition to check out. However, in comparison to the last year's festival, this one is just a slight disappointment. I would like to expect more from Frieze Art Fair in October.

Down to business. I'm always happy with Kemistry Gallery, because they love typography and you know I love typography. Typography is my better side really. Their recent exhibition is Gastrotypographicalassemblage - The Designs of Lou Dorfsman.

I am also always very happy with Magma, probably the only descent art & design book shop in London; and the only place to get magazines from, since Borders are gone. Now, I am not talking Heat or Nuts or what have you, I am talking 'superior' UK and International publications (on design, fashion and culture). Actually, that tiny news stand opposite Liberty is also pretty good, but let's just leave it at this.

Going back to typography... here are some really great books on the subject I found in Magma couple of days ago. I am including my quick overall description. For more detailed information please click on the book title. I wanted to include 3D Typography by Jeanette Abbink as well, but unfortunately I couldn't find good pictures to go with it.

I Wonder - Marian Batjes

Futuresque; image based typography or rather images with typographic solutions - pick whichever one you like.

Typo Lyrics - The sound of Fonts

Old school, three dimensional.

Retro Fonts - Gregor Strawinski

The title says Retro, Retro it is; very arty, very inspiring.

Inspiration post | Japan.

Ok. So, yes London is inspiring, it's diverse, it's happening, I should be grateful! Although, to think about it, if the Mona Lisa was hanging on the wall in your living room, you would probably stop appreciating it with that insane intensity (but then again, I don't even like Mona Lisa). It's not the point though.

The point is, I do get tired of London, of Europe. My eyes stop seeing things and when this happens I go cool-hunting (well figuratively speaking).. to Japan.

IDEA

The title speaks for itself.

MIC*ITAYA & BLOG

Itaya Michimasa is a designer, artist, art director and a genius. The man is great at practically everything - typography, illustration, fashion, display, branding... you name it! It is hard for me to describe his work, but I will try. It's not loud... it's quite settle, elegant, but unique and conceptual at the same time. It makes you think, it tells a story and most importantly, it tells a story about the creator.

My list of 'great artists/creatives to meet' is not long at all. However, I would love to meet Mic*Itaya, because let's be frank, to me, he seems like a person who can easily crash your brain with one sentence and possibly change your work/life trajectory for good.

Here are some samples of his typography.

RICH

New trendy publication from Tokyo produced by TADS (Tokyo Art Directors). They have just launched their first issues and it looks... well rich! It's stunning, that's all I have to say.

DROP

Fantastic page if you seek fashion inspiration.

ZERO PER ZERO

So, I'm finishing the post with Zero per Zero (South Korea based design studio). I know the post is suppose to be about Japan alone, however, the piece of work I'm introducing is Tokyo Railway System. So, I don't consider this cheating!

Zero per Zero' designs are quite incredible. They have also just had their first exhibition in London's Kemistry Gallery and it looks great. So, I'm thinking I might create an individual post for them at some point soon.