Schiffer Books just published
two new books that as a graphic designer I find especially fascinating.Robert and Donna Seecof take a visual look at what many would consider mundane everyday objects: book ends.
But, as a designer who is familiar with the long history of industrial and decorative design book ends are anything but common.
While it's true that book ends serve what appears to be a simple function: holding up books, their functionality is far outshone by their elegant designs.
Book ends are a visual barometers of the times in which they were created. Social and popular likes and dislikes are reflected in each set of bookends.
By simply looking at each book end design it's easy to spot from which time period they originated and the art styles that influenced them.
The book contains dozens of color photos of book ends accompanied by price ranges and descriptions.
Each time period is examined as well as the manufacturers, materials used and rarity. Art begins with book ends.
Terry Cloth was once only though of as fabric used for kitchen and bathroom
towels and occasional for robes and slippers.
But, as the fabric's popularity grew so did its uses until today Terry Cloth
can be seen used in everything from
shoes to dresses and more.Terry Cloth, by Monique Combes, traces the history and uses of the colorful cloth. From early advertisements to full color photos of Terry Cloth fabric designs the book is a comprehensive and thorough examination of the colorful fabric.
I plan on using the book to instruct my art students about patterns and color.