wish list: books

Last night I did a little updating on my Amazon wish list. So happy to hear that Stephan Sagmeister has a new book coming out soon. I really loved his last one, "Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far."

When I was a little girl I LOVED Ed Emberley's books. I remember I had one where I learned how to make little characters out of thumb prints. Drove my mom crazy because my hands were black from an ink pad for months! I just added this one to my wish list. I think it would be super fun activity to do with my five-year-old.

in the press: Relaxing Graphics

Relaxing Graphics, by Akiko Taki

We're honored to have been selected by Akiko Taki to grace the pages of Relaxing Graphics, a gorgeous hardcover book by Pie Books (Japan) featuring the best natural style graphics from around the world. One of our custom wedding invitation designs (it's similar to our Meeting Street design) was selected, as was our naturalistic (if you can call a green octopus or turquoise jelly fish natural) marine life series of note cards. The book is full of inspiring designs from top notch graphic designers, and is available to pre-order here (the book will be released in September 2009).

designing moms: booklist

Check out my new post over on Designing Moms today about S's favorite book, "The Caboose Who Got Loose." I'm so honored to be a part of this wonderful new blog!

studio makeover: rainbow shelves

martha stewart weddings magazine; delphine studio shelves

After I figured out how to unscrew the bookshelves from the wall and move the shelf to its new location, I decided to re-shelf my graphic design books by color. I was inspired by the pretty cover photo on this quarter's Martha Stewart Weddings magazine (which, btw, is my all time favorite magazine ... I have issues dating back to 1996!).

nostalgic for: charley harper

charley harper books, available at SoLo

Most of my elementary school days were spent in Cincinnati, Ohio. I remember going to the zoo and asking the ticket lady for extra stickers ... they were designed by Charley Harper; my mom and I had a whole stash of them. Since then I've moved at least a dozen times, and unfortunately the stickers are lost. But I'd love one of these books (available at SoLo) to fill the void! I love how Mr. Harper was able to convey a peaceful quiet with just a few strokes. Lovely.

wish list: books

for design book lovers

Just a few books on my wish list this year. I recently checked out this Edith Wharton anthology from my local library. While on my trip to New York in October I re-read The House of Mirth and The Reef, which I found to be a tad on the depressing side. I'm about to start The Custom of the Country, and am biding time to re-read my very favorite book ever: The Age of Innocence. I'd love to add the anthology to my library shelves, as I often turn to Wharton when I'm feeling anxious (and who isn't these days?). I've read The Age of Innocence at least a dozen times since the first time (Junior English class ... thanks, Mr. Kelly!)

The Jonathan Adler book is one I'm itching to read. I really admire how he has taken his passion for his craft and applied it to bulding an entire brand. Another one that has been on my wish list forever is Lulu. I love her use of color and how she integrates fun, play, and her personal life experiences into her art. Note to Santa... Lulu is on sale!

If you have a design lover on your holiday shopping list, any of these books would score well: Adler for the entrepreneur, Lulu for the artist, Domino for the friend who is forever moving her furniture around. Ethan Frome is great for a teenager (it's FULL of serious angst!); and anything by Cormac McCarthy would be appreciated by someone wishing to get in touch with their an inner-cowboy.

van gogh for kids

vincent van gogh and the colors of the night kids' book

This do-it-yourself art book for kids is near the top of MY list for Santa this year.

Lulu

images from Amazon.com

Yesterday CC showed me this gorgeous gorgeous book when I was visiting her at SoLo: Lulu, by Lulu De Kwiatkowski. Upon return from The National Stationery Show this will be my first purchase. I look forward to a lazy day in a lounge chair, with a big, tall, alcoholic beverage and hours to pour through this book. I love visiting SoLo. CC always fills the shop with inspiring treasures.

business books

There are lots of business books out there ... here are three that I recommend:

Craft, Inc., by Meg Mateo Ilasco. This is a great resource for anyone who is thinking about starting a creative business. It has helpful info about how to price your goods, when to exhibit at trade shows, and how to market your business. I wish this book had been around 10 years ago when I started working as a designer!

Mommy Millionaire, by Kim Lavine. For anyone who wants to mass produce a product... learn from Lavine's mistakes and her successes. Her insight into the trade show world is about as true and honest as it gets. And her behind the scenes peek into QVC/HSN is eye-opening. A couple of things she wrote I did NOT agree with: for instance she said that hiring a professional graphic designer can be a waste of time, and that her little home-spun logo has served her well. I don't agree at all...I think she needs an updated logo! If your logo is amateurish then buyers' first impressions of you and your product will likely follow suit. Overall, though, this is one of my favorite books.

Meatball Sundae, by Seth Godin. Godin, who, I think, is the master of common sense & telling it like it is, says that to be successful with "New Marketing" (i.e. social networking, websites, blogs) you must integrate them into a marketing strategy, not just slap them on top! His book "explores the 14 trends that are changing our world and how organizations can either embrace them or be punished by them."