Reviewer Jessica Roberts is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews CLICK HERE
Author: Emilio
Gil
Publisher: Mark
Batty Publisher
ISBN:
978-0-9817805-6-6
Another
brilliant Mark Batty title which celebrates the cultural scene of
Spanish design.
Author: Emilio
Gil
Publisher: Mark
Batty Publisher
ISBN:
978-0-9817805-6-6
Click Here To Purchase Pioneers of Spanish Graphic Design
Pioneers
of Spanish Graphic Design spans through our lifetime and the lifetime
of our mothers, fathers and perhaps even our grandparents. From
1939-1975 this delightful collection of Spanish graphics composed by
graphic designer and advisor Elimio Gil is all you could wish
for, plus more. If you have ever
taken an interest in this particular art I’m sure you will love
this book.
Just what makes
Spanish graphic design so different from any other? Could it be its
sheer uniqueness or the advertising side of things?
The 1960s and beyond seemed to trigger many graphic designs that even we British and others instantly recognize. The design for the front cover of The Lord of The Rings greeted me like an old friend. It was designed many years ago by Heinz Edelman and is perhaps what you’d call a classic.
A Barcelonian artist, Josep Artigas, became head of the advertising department for Nestle. His career took him all over the world and to Switzerland. He clearly kept a keen eye on the designs Nestle produced over the years, and what marvellous works they were!
You can see the beautiful edge some of the Nestle product designs. The Nestle 1955-56 paper bag had charm and elegance - a very European feel. You could carry your coffee jars and sachets in this and feel and look good. Design it seems is everything!
The perfume design ads of the 1950s and upwards had soft features and a very chic look. Much attention to detail was paid - unlike the perfume advertisements of today. There was also a hint of mystery and intrigue. How times seemed to have changed.
Moving through this rather large but impressive tome we look at the aspects of card design and its inspiration.
Elias & Santamarina are a perfect example of how partnerships have formed between designers. Together they produced the 1969 Christmas card (found inside this book). For this particular piece of work they used the image of a head over twenty times and drew inside the heads many different sketches. A personal favourite of mine was the head with a fingerprint inside in the shape of a heart. Does this symbolize personal love? Genius.
However moving on I came across the image of a small bird sitting on a noose and another of a bomb placed in the middle of a bird’s nest. It left me feeling very sad and angry. Is this the right way to advertise? You make up your own minds.
The Mozard
billboard design from the 1960s was stunning. It combines a lovely
use of colours and swirls in a mixture of pastel shades and browns. I
doubt this will ever really “age.”
The strange, the unusual and the surreal follow. A pigeon with legs appears on one page and makes you laugh. You discover this was used as an illustration for a Christmas greeting. A 1970s ad for a brand of socks also had me in “stitches.” Wonders never cease when it comes to graphic design and advertising.
All the pages within this book have a very high quality feel and the layout is simple and really works. It is a collection of wonderful essays and imaginary which capture the humour and the history of graphic design.
Another brilliant Mark Batty title which celebrates the cultural scene of Spanish design.