40th PUBLICATION DESIGN ANNUAL by The Society of Publication Designers
A glimpse into what the best and brightest publication designers are up to, the 40th Publication Design Annual showcases leading work (overall, cover, entire issue, story, spread, single page) in design, photography, illustration, photo illustration, and information graphics. A valuable reference tool for creatives and a beautiful collection of the most stunning work of 2004; work is divided into categories based on merit.
$55, hardcover, 296 pages, Rockport Publishers

BRAND APART: INSIGHTS ON THE ART OF CREATING A DISTINCTIVE BRAND VOICE by Joe Duffy
“Let’s all admit that the number of impressions we make is far less important than the quality of impression we make,” begins Joe Duffy of Duffy & Partners in his introduction of Brand Apart, scattered across several vellum endpapers, beautifully transitioning from one point to the next. “Simple repetition of a brand message does not break through the clutter, it only joins it. So how do we penetrate today’s visual mélange and engage our audiences? I believe we must be repetitive instead in our daily pursuit of excellence and consistency. This book is a celebration of marketing communications that work together to achieve greatness.”

Each section highlights the challenge, solution, and result of a particular branding effort, and includes a Q&A with members of each team and Duffy himself, with colorful imagery of the end results. Duffy concludes with an explanation of the humility and inspiration he was left with after “studying the best of the best, and talking to the people behind the scenes.” He poses the questions, “So what are the insights learned from this undeniably brilliant work? What advice can we take from the people on the front lines responsible for creating it?” His answer revolves around the word respect—for the brand, the customer, the value of collaboration, and the power of the craft overall. “Lessons learned from the frontlines of greatness—where great work and great results have come from seamless marketing communications,” Duffy sums up. “Making each one truly a Brand Apart.”
$49.95, hardcover, 194 pages, One Club Publishing

AT HOME WITH THE MAKERS OF STYLE by Grant Scott and Samantha Scott-Jeffries
Ever wonder how well-known designers decorate their homes? At Home With the Makers of Style takes us inside the living spaces of designers like Alberto Alessi, the Bouroullec brothers, Karim Rashid, and Yves Behar. In cities, suburbs, and out-of-the-way locations, from Harry Allen’s converted mortuary to Alessi’s dilapidated winery (renovation to come) with fantastic views of Lake Orta near Milan, to Sam Hecht’s white box of a house which once was a London car repair shop, these forays into designers’ living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are an inspiring look into the effects possible to achieve with a little bit of taste, a scavenger’s eye, and not necessarily a ton of money. The candid photography, product explanation, bios, and quotes from the designers in this coffee-table-worthy book just may provide the inspiration you’ve been looking for.
$45, hardcover, 256 pages, Thames & Hudson

THE EDUCATION OF A GRAPHIC DESIGNER by Steven Heller (ed.)
In this second edition of The Education of a Graphic Designer, Steven Heller addresses the changes that have occurred since 1998. Graphic design is now a definite career path that takes courage to proclaim and undertake, and it is important to give heed to the state of design education. This book provides the discussion needed in this area and serves as a guide for both students and teachers on viable methods and progressive ideas.

“Gone are the days when someone (like me, for instance) stumbled into the field, learned totally by doing, and got a great job almost by accident,” explains Heller. “... at times graphic design education still seems like a crapshoot.” Without a solid education in graphic design and support from recognized designers, today’s rising stars would lack the opportunities necessary to kick-start their careers. As Jeffrey Keedy notes, the main lesson is that we continue to involve ourselves in the discussion and evolution of the state of design and design education: “Graphic design is bigger than any one of us, so let’s start acting like we believe it.”
$24.95, softcover, 356 pages, Allworth Press

DESIGNING MODERN AMERICA: BROADWAY TO MAIN STREET by Christopher Innes
This book tells the story of how two designers were responsible for the modernization of the United States from the 1920s to the ’50s. Joseph Urban and Norman Bel Geddes—huge forces in 20th century stage design and directing—extended their talents to other projects in industrial and commercial design, fashion, architecture, and more. During this period, Urban and Bel Geddes were responsible for the look and feel of everything from nightclubs and department stores to cars, furniture, appliances, and magazines. Their backgrounds lent a dramatic flair to projects and paved their way as modern designers.

Explains Innes in his opening chapter, “Joseph Urban and Norman Bel Geddes ... touched every aspect of people’s existence ... It was Urban, followed by Bel Geddes, who largely defined what that dream, ‘the American way of life,’ looked like.” Together, these designers solidified what was to become the “Golden Age” of American culture. $40, hardcover, 336 pages, Yale University Press