Last week we received an advance copy of ‘I used to be a design student’, the book we have been working on as authors, editors and designers for the past 2 years. Published by
Laurence King and officially launching on February 18th 2013, it features the student and professional work (as well as past and current influences) of 50 graphic designers. Amongst them are Andrew Stevens (GTF), Daniel Eatock, Fons Hickmann, Holger Jacobs (Mind Design), James Goggin, Ken Garland, Kirsty Carter (APFEL), Liza Enebeis (Studio Dumbar), Maki Suzuki (Åbäke), Margaret Calvert, Paul Barnes, Prem Krishnamurthy (Projects Projects), Sascha Lobe (L2M3), Stefan Sagmeister, Urs Lehni. The book offers a rare chance to find out how graphic designers feel about their education and profession and gives the low-down about their student days and their professional lives. A piece of their college work is shown alongside an example of their current work. Each designer also offers a key piece of advice and a warning. The book looks at the process a designer goes through in finding their ‘voice’. Topics addressed include how ideas are researched and developed; design and other cultural influences, then and now; positive and negative aspects of working as a designer; motivations for becoming a designer; and whether it’s really possible to teach design. There will be an official book launch on February 18th 2013 at 6pm at Camberwell College of Arts in London, 1st floor, BA Graphic Design Studio, 45–65 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8UF. The German book launch will be on the 24th and 25th of April, 7pm at the faculty of design, Hochschule Darmstadt, Olbrichweg 10, 64287 Darmstadt, www.fbg.h-da.de. To buy the book online go to
amazon.com,
amazon.co.uk or
amazon.de. More news to follow in February 2013.