One of my new year’s resolutions was to read more Design books, so when I came across this one via Tantrum Magazine, I knew I had to get it. Working as (the only) graphic designer in a fashion company, it can be hard to get inspiration when every day is so manic and crazy and deadline focussed. It’s nice that there’s a book purely focused on the important of graphic design within fashion, and looking at it objectively with a plethora of examples.
‘This visually-led book contains a global selection of the best graphic design studio’s work for the fashion industry from packaging and lookbooks to swing tags and invitations with exclusive insights from both clients and designers… With each of the four chapters printed on a different paper stock, the book itself reflects the exciting graphic developments in the field of fashion’
I do love the design of the actual book itself, I must say. The above quote says each section (Branding, Lookbooks, Invitations and Packaging) is on a different paper stock – but honestly, I can’t tell the difference. Either it’s so subtle that even my well-trained paper-phile hands can’t detect it, or it’s a lie. Either way, it’s not important. What I do love is how the covers sit perfectly flush with the rest of the book:
And the cover is debossed with all the names of the studios over it. Slick. Inside, the sections are separated by lovely pink papers, with a description of what follows. Then the actual pages are beautifully minimal in their design, letting the actual work examples shine through:
It’s full of hundreds of examples of breathtakingly striking graphic design, so much so that I haven’t read all the way through yet. It’s definitely a flick-through, dip in and out of book. One thing I will say is it’s one for graphic designers with an interest in the branding side of fashion, rather than people who love fashion but have a fleeting appreciation of design, per se. It’s very much a ‘look how well these invitations are kerned’ rather than ‘so many beautiful dresses!’ Even though the book is about fashion, it is of course on the emphasis of the communication of the collections and the brand rather than the clothes themselves.
For me, it’s totally inspirational, and while I would never be allowed to do anything as groundbreaking in my job, it’s good to see what’s out there and what to strive for. You never know though, I got to do some foil blocked invitations on Ebony 350gsm the other day. Mmmm.
Buy Graphic Design for Fashion from Amazon here.
