Designer as Author

In 1954, Alvin Lustig gave a lecture titled “What Is a Designer?” at the Advertising Typographers Association of America. It was one of many such talks he gave to organizations, art directors’ clubs and schools around the United States and Canada. However, this lecture was different. It was his first speech after he lost his eyesight.
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ROB WALKER

Rob Walker's Collection of Bicentennial Quarters

I’ve tried to collect things in the past, but I always fail. I buy one or two patent-medicine bottles, or old issues of Fortune, or whatever and then I lose interest and feel like (that is: I realize that) I’m wasting money.
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JOHN FOSTER

Accidental Mysteries, 12.05.10

Welcome to Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of curiosities set aside for your perusal and enlightenment.
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EDITED BY JULIE LASKY

New Contexts/New Practices: Six Views of the AIGA Design Educators Conference

Held October 8–10, 2010, at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, the AIGA Design Educators Conference “New Contexts/New Practices” offered a panoramic view of a transforming profession. By investigating how developments in technology, business, social priorities and even the very definition of design have roiled the field, the event sought to map a new, relevant landscape for design education and practice in the 21st century. Here we present comprehensive written coverage of the proceedings.
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RICK POYNOR

Where Is Art Now?

Almost anyone who goes through a gallery door is likely to have heard about Duchamp and his urinal. The art world is less good at explaining how certain people get to be artists and decide what art is for the rest of us. It’s about power: whoever holds it gets to officiate and decide. Serious art criticism, like other kinds of criticism, might have given up on the idea of evaluation. But that doesn’t lessen the viewer’s desire to experience work that seems worthwhile or “good,” and this perception of quality in relation to a work’s properties and effects must originate somewhere.
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THE EDITORS

Holiday Books 2010

For this holiday season, Design Observer's contributing writers offer some recommendations for gifts and personal reading.
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JOHN FOSTER

Accidental Mysteries, 11.28.10

Welcome to Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of curiosities set aside for your perusal and enlightenment.
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OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE

Rem Koolhaas

Prisoners of Logic

Looking at Typefaces

POEM OF THE WEEK

"Q"

Q, a poem by Sharon Olds.
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RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED

An Answer to the Question
Immanuel Kant

Type: Vol. 2
C. De Jong, A.W. Purvis & J. Tholenaar, editors

Type: Vol. 1
C. De Jong, A.W. Purvis & J. Tholenaar, editors


WEEKLY EMAIL: DECEMBER 10, 2010
FEATURED THIS WEEK : STEVEN HELLER AND ELAINE LUSTIG COHEN Designer as Author In 1954, Alvin Lustig gave a lecture titled “What Is a Designer?” at the Advertising Typographers Association of America. It was one of many such talks he gave to organizations, art directors’ clubs and schools around the United States and Canada. However, this lecture was different. It was his first speech after he lost his eyesight. READ MORE
ROB WALKER Rob Walker's Collection of Bicentennial Quarters I’ve tried to collect things in the past, but I always fail. I buy one or two patent-medicine bottles, or old issues of Fortune, or whatever and then I lose interest and feel like (that is: I realize that) I’m wasting money. READ MORE JOHN FOSTER Accidental Mysteries, 12.05.10 Welcome to Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of curiosities set aside for your perusal and enlightenment. READ MORE EDITED BY JULIE LASKY New Contexts/New Practices: Six Views of the AIGA Design Educators Conference Held October 8–10, 2010, at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, the AIGA Design Educators Conference “New Contexts/New Practices” offered a panoramic view of a transforming profession. By investigating how developments in technology, business, social priorities and even the very definition of design have roiled the field, the event sought to map a new, relevant landscape for design education and practice in the 21st century. Here we present comprehensive written coverage of the proceedings. READ MORE RICK POYNOR Where Is Art Now? Almost anyone who goes through a gallery door is likely to have heard about Duchamp and his urinal. The art world is less good at explaining how certain people get to be artists and decide what art is for the rest of us. It’s about power: whoever holds it gets to officiate and decide. Serious art criticism, like other kinds of criticism, might have given up on the idea of evaluation. But that doesn’t lessen the viewer’s desire to experience work that seems worthwhile or “good,” and this perception of quality in relation to a work’s properties and effects must originate somewhere. READ MORE THE EDITORS Holiday Books 2010 For this holiday season, Design Observer's contributing writers offer some recommendations for gifts and personal reading. READ MORE JOHN FOSTER Accidental Mysteries, 11.28.10 Welcome to Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of curiosities set aside for your perusal and enlightenment. READ MORE		BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK \| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE Rem Koolhaas Prisoners of Logic Looking at Typefaces POEM OF THE WEEK "Q" Q, a poem by Sharon Olds. READ MORE RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED An Answer to the Question Immanuel Kant Type: Vol. 2 C. De Jong, A.W. Purvis & J. Tholenaar, editors Type: Vol. 1 C. De Jong, A.W. Purvis & J. Tholenaar, editors
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