December 2006 Archives
An interesting and educational book has come out, Mexican Blackletter, by Cristina Paoli and published by Mark Batty Publisher, New York. The book is an example of life imitating art in the way that many folks in Mexico use the letterform in everything from signage to tattoos - because of the tradition, and not necessarily for any typographical significance. Paoli's book delves into an area of culture and type that many of us don't know about or realize its significance and meaning.
As always, there seems to come about in this month the end-of-the-year recaps and forecasts for the New Year. Most of the time, they're simply a memory test of the past year to see if we've been on our toes and can actually remember what happened 11 months ago. There are also forecasts from crotchedy professors from some obscure college on how the world will be in the next year based on some crazy algorithm. My favorites are the so-called psychics who predict catastrophic events, alien invasions, or past presidents raising from the dead (I saw that one in the Star). Anyway, I will make my own feeble attempt to make a forecast on what I think the world of graphic design will likely be in 2007.
I went to a function the other night that was all about illustration and animation, presented by some of the folks at Pixar, across the Bay in Emeryville. They talked about the process and detail that went into making such movies as Cars, Monsters, Inc., and The Incredibles. It was a fascinating evening, but I have to tell you, I don't think I could work in that industry.
