Just ran across this new graphic design / printmaking book released by Gestalten.

“Today’s graphic designers, illustrators, and typographers are rediscovering old printing techniques and handcrafts. They are inspired by passion for the unique; the feel of different papers, press cuts, and embossing; the brilliance of printing inks; and the originality of book binding techniques. The book Impressive presents the results of this passion.”

“Today’s fascination with old-fashioned printing presses and techniques started with individual designers and smaller collectives that created one-of-a-kind printed material by hand for special occasions, such as weddings or birthdays. Impressive features these artists and their personal work as well as a broad range of business cards, invitations, stationery, and publications that are designed and produced in a way that is both nostalgic and contemporary. Historical styles – from the Victorian grandeur of floral elements and adornments to the aesthetics of classical modernism – are used and referenced as well as combined and reinterpreted in unusual ways. Traditional and more exotic techniques such as silk-screen printing, stamping, woodcut, or linocut are used. What counts is doing it yourself.”

For those of you who are interested, may I recommend a fantastic book on typographic organization. Kimberly Elam’s Typographic Systems is an excellent resource with great examples and useful information for even the most seasoned pro.

The great folks over at Unit have released number 2 in “a series of ‘newspapers’ devoted to the overlooked and unexpected corners of graphic design and visual culture.” This time it is “Looking at Form, a quarterly magazine of the arts (1966—1969).” These great papers are available for £7.50 including postage. Buy it here.

Similarities is a great Flickr collection of historic and contemporary design that demonstrates the nature of homage, inspiration, and outright theft.