Design Musings

We often look to different mediums for inspiration here at the studio, and a recent collaboration between London-based musician Max Cooper and Tokyo director Masanobu Hiraoka has caught our attention. Their project, On Being, is a masterclass in translating complex data into a fluid visual narrative. Cooper started the project by asking the public a simple question: “What do you want to express that you feel you can't in everyday life?” The resulting database of anonymous answers—ranging from the mundane to the profound—formed the basis for the album. For the title track’s video, Hiraoka took this concept of shared humanity and interpreted it through a distinct animation style. He uses rotoscoping and frame-by-frame pencil drawings to create a continuous flow. The visuals morph seamlessly from personal footage of the animator’s own child into microscopic biological structures. It is fascinating to see how a single line is used to connect these disparate elements, maintaining moment...

Henri's Walk to Paris Hardcover by Saul Bass   Vintage Kids' Books My Kids Love I've been completely captivated by a recent article from AIGA's   Eye on Design   titled, "Why did so many mid-century designers make children's books?". It explores a fascinating and somewhat unexpected corner of design history: the period when some of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th century turned their talents to creating books for children. We're talking about legends like Paul Rand , Saul Bass, Ivan Chermayeff , and Leo Lionni – names synonymous with corporate identities, film title sequences, and modern art. So, why the pivot to picture books? The article delves into several compelling reasons. One key factor was the post-war baby boom, which created a massive market for children's literature. Simultaneously, advancements in printing technology made it possible to produce high-quality, colorful books more affordably. But beyond market forces, ...

It’s not often that a project comes along that feels both new and timeless, but a recent publication featured on  It’s Nice That  seems to strike that balance.  A Life Among Letters  is a book that delves into the work of Czech graphic designer and typographer Clara Istlerová, a pioneering figure whose contribution to the visual culture of postwar Czechoslovakia is significant, yet not widely known outside of her home country. What makes this project so interesting is its quiet, considered approach. In an age of self-promotion, Istlerová’s story is one of dedication to the craft itself. Working entirely with analogue processes, she was one of the few women in the male-dominated field of Czech typography. Her book covers and typographic work show an expressive and intuitive feel for letterforms, a tangible quality that can sometimes be lost in the digital age. If you grew up in Czechoslovakia, the article notes, you have probably held one of her designs without knowin...