Another example of Russian design work that came out of the Avant-Garde period of 1910-1934 – a fold out book insert from 1919 that used letterpress and collage – a fabulous use of colour, shape, form and type – not seen before this time and which we are far more familiar seeing today
These playful, dynamic and expressive illustrations (the first 3 illustrations) would find a place in today’s design world, and in fact you can see their influence on several illustrators today. These are illustrations are from a Russia set of placards, illustrated in 1923.
We have a fascination with the early 1900 design and art world and their relationship with the birth of modern visual design. throughout this blog we will bring to you several examples of work from this period – without a computer in sight, this work is all hand crafted and painstakingly prepared for print – it truly is an inspiring time.
Below these 3 examples from “The Russian Avant-Garde Book” are 2 examples from the work of illustrator Craig Fazier (USA) created in 2008
What design blog would be complete without something on the designer Paul Rand – if you’re a designer, of the graphic kind, you will be well aware of who he is, but others may not have been introduced to his lively and colourful work and his contribution to the visual design culture. Here is an excerpt from the film Conversation with Paul Rand, where he gives us an insight into his design mind.
I have such fond memories of this fabulous car from my childhood, where I would get so excited in spotting one driving around the streets of Bristol, where I spent my childhood. What happened to this wonderful, environmentally advanced car of the 50s? Yes, sure, not so safe and would probably need one of those bicycle flags attached to the bumper, but this was joyful, playful design, with thinking beyond the conventional. Here’s to the bubble car!
Bubble cars became popular in Europe at that time as a demand for cheap personal motorised transport emerged and fuel prices were high due in part to the 1956 Suez Crisis. Bubble cars were superseded by a new wave of ‘proper small cars’ like the 1959 Austin Mini, which gave far more functionality for their owners for only slightly higher costs – Wikipedia
One of the most exciting times for design was in the 1950s, this would have been one of the most exciting time to be a designer – a new world of hope was opening up and so much prosperity and the possibilities that were out of this world – quite literally, with the excitement of interstellar travel, rocket inspired cars. The influence of design flourished around the world, from America, Europe right through to Australia.
Throughout this blog we will endeavor to present to you the fabulous design work from the last, highly influential, 100 years in graphic design and present the work of many celebrated designers, and the work we have come to love.
We just love the way design can be so effective at expressing humour, in particular, with irony and subtly – take these images from Glennz T-Shirt range. Find their full range at store.glenzz.com
Thomas the angry engine
Welcome to the first posting for Savanah Design’s new blog titled ‘Design in the Mind’. This blog is a great opportunity for us to impart knowledge, inspiration and observations related to the visual world of design.
It will be an opportunity to vent our passion for design and a place to discuss events, examples and present tips on how to integrate design into your world.
We hope you enjoy what will become of this blog. Despite being busy running our design studio, we will endeavor to post as regularly as possible.