BOOK DESIGN OF FRED MARCELLINO

I often carry a book with me to read on the metro. Last week I finished up a book so as I was running out the door on Monday morning I picked up another book that was sitting in the collection on my desk of "started but not finished reads." It is a good collection. The book I picked up was 79 Short Essays on Design by Michael Bierut. This is a great book for short trips. Each chapter is only 3-4 pages.

Yesterday, on my way to the office, I opened up to read chapter 53. The chapter was The Unbearable Lightness of Fred Marcellino. This chapter was a short essay about the book cover design of Fred Marcellino. Before reading this chapter, like many in this book, I knew nothing or very little about the subject matter because most of it happened before I knew what graphic design was.

In today's internet world with websites, blogs and twitter it is very easy to see what other book designers are doing right now. The Book Cover Archive and other sites collect, categorize and explore newer covers. But what about the designers of the past? After reading the essay I realized I knew very little, other than a little about Alvin Lustig, when it came to book cover design history. Other than By Its Cover, a small collection of modern book covers, the history of book designers and their work is quite limited.

When I got to the office, the first thing I wanted to do was look up Fred Marcellino's covers to see what he created for nearly two decades. Of course most of his designs and illustrations were done just as the computer was being invented and so even today its hard to find many of his original 40 covers a year that he created on the web.

There are many I couldn't find, like my favorite Alive and Dead in Indiana, but below are a few I added to my inspiration collection. I thought I would share what I found.



















Some of Fred Marcellino's book cover designs have been redesigned. Henry Sene Yee redesigned The Bonfire of the Vanities in 2008 and Roberto De Vicq De Cumptich redesigned The Unbearable Lightness of Being in 2004.









Fred Marcellino moved from book cover design to writing and illustrating children's book and won many awards for his work before he died in 2001.

If you have additional information or corrections, please let me know.

KINDLE COMMERCIAL

As a book designer, I am not a fan of the Kindle but the new colorful commercial featuring Annie Little in stop motion video is great. Take a look!

The song, Fly Me Away, featured in the commercial is also by Annie Little and can be downloaded for free on Amazon.

The video was created by Angela Kohler, who was the winner of the Your Amazon Ad Contest.

Oh yeah, it features a bike.

BIKES = SEXY?

Bikes are appearing everywhere. I have noticed more on the streets of KC this year and cycling in NYC has gone up a reported 26% in 2009. Bikes are appearing in fashion magazines, movies and commercials as trendy fashion accessories like never before in the U.S. Bikes are sexy. Take a look.











Photos 1 & 5 by Anna Wolf
Photos 2 - 4 by The Sartorialist

QUOTE

ANDY WARHOL IN KC

A little over a month from opening night I finally made it to see the Andy Warhol exhibit at Union Station.

It was a Friday night, a few minutes after 7. I walked in and followed the signs that led downstairs and down more stairs. This was new to me because I have never been in this part of Union Station. It felt like I was going into a basement, an area not often visited. At the bottom of the stairs was a gentleman that took my ticket and led me into what felt like a club. The atmosphere was very urban underground with bright colored lights shining on the brick walls. The walls, as I walked around the corner, featured quotes from Andy himself. I had stepped into a private party in New York City.

Since it was a Friday night after 5pm each ticket could be redeemed for a beverage before entering the exibit. The choices were selections of beer, wine or Coke products. I made my selection and enjoyed it at a table under a disco ball while the music was playing.

As I finished my drink I was welcomed by the volunteer that handed me the self guided tour. The self guided tour consisted of a laminated piece of paper that explained in detail what each piece or series was about.

The gallery was similar to the "club" entry but without the music or colored lights. It felt like I was in a personal studio or gallery. An underground vault had been opened and I for a few minutes had time to hang out with Andy. The gallery featured illustrations and prints of Andy's famous Campbell's Soup cans, fruit, portraits of pop stars, flowers and endangered species. I viewed all the works with a great deal of amazement and awe with the help of the volunteer and my self guided tour. It was amazing to see the work of an american icon in person. As I turned the corner, there was no more.

Maybe I was having too much fun but it come to an end quickly. Almost too quickly. I wanted to turn around and go back through again. As I walked out of the gallery into the "club" to exit I was surrounded by the feeling of 1970s NYC artist nightlife and I truly experienced what the Prince of Pop really meant by "15 minutes of fame." The whole radical experience came to life and it was beautiful.

The Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends is in Kansas City now until January 10th. If you go after 5pm on a Friday you also receive a FREE beverage. Tickets are just $12. Van Gogh/Warhol combo tickets are a steal at just $15.

Experience the life and art of Andy Warhol for yourself and let me know what you think.

PICK ONE

I noticed today that a client posted these two comps on their website of a book design I am working on. While this is often a designers worst nightmare I thought I would post them here and see what your opinion was too.

Based on cover design alone, pick one.
Click on the image to view larger.

1

2

UPDATE: The chosen cover