BY Armin

In Brief: Women of Design, Now Available

DATE: Nov.25.2008CATEGORY: In Brief 23 COMMENTS

izzy’s comment is:

Looks amazing. I have adjusted my to-do schedule this evening to account for a trip to the bookstore.

Thank you!

On Nov.25.2008 at 02:28 PM

Armin’s comment is:

Not sure if it's in all bookstores yet though... Sometimes it takes them a few extra days to stock the floor.

On Nov.25.2008 at 02:52 PM

Josh’s comment is:

Diggin' the spreads. It's nice to see an image heavy spread with (what appears in a limited view) to be interesting and intelligent copy as well as a pleasing, clean layout.

On Nov.25.2008 at 03:44 PM

Paul’s comment is:

Just in time for Christmas!!

Good work.

On Nov.25.2008 at 06:03 PM

Joe M.’s comment is:

Beautiful cover!
Is there a key to all the little heads?

On Nov.25.2008 at 08:38 PM

Armin’s comment is:

Joe... Any similarities to actual designers is purely coincidental. The little heads are pretty random.

On Nov.25.2008 at 09:28 PM

SJ’s comment is:

While I think it's good to see a book on the subject, I'd rather just see all books, conferences, etc. that cover design try to include 50% men and 50% women.

Also, I find it surprising that on the one-page preview website under "From the Back Cover," all of the quotes are from men.

On Nov.26.2008 at 09:23 AM

Armin’s comment is:

> Also, I find it surprising that on the one-page preview website under "From the Back Cover," all of the quotes are from men.

SJ, that was very much on purpose. First, because, well, we thought it was funny, or at least ironic; and second, because any woman that we would have approached for a blurb was already in the book, making it a slight conflict of interest, or just plain weird for, say, Debbie Millman to declare how great a book that she's in is.

On Nov.26.2008 at 09:33 AM

SJ’s comment is:

Sorry, Armin. I found the quotes patronizing rather than funny.

On Nov.26.2008 at 09:41 AM

Armin’s comment is:

I didn't say the quotes were funny, I found the notion of all men writing the blurbs being "funny" and not ha-ha funny, just funny.

Nothing I can do about you perceiving the quotes as patronizing. I doubt that was the intention of their respective authors.

On Nov.26.2008 at 09:54 AM

Armin’s comment is:

And, sorry, don't mean to sound flippant or dismissive. Just sayin': everybody has their own opinions, and I'd never try to change them.

On Nov.26.2008 at 09:56 AM

Frank’s comment is:

Very nice to see you included the lady Fanette Mellier; I tripped across her site recently and she is making truly beautiful work.

Good to see a discussion of female designers that makes it beyond the regulars.

On Nov.26.2008 at 12:37 PM

Christian Palino’s comment is:

Congratulations on the new publication!

On Nov.26.2008 at 02:32 PM

mia’s comment is:

If no women could be found to give shout quotes, why have shout quotes at all? It does seem like something that would be found strange - why confuse matters? I must admit that had I not read that the male shout quotes were done on purpose, I would have easily gotten quite angry at their presence.

I AM very excited about this book, though. Shout quotes or not.

On Nov.27.2008 at 07:03 AM

Gavan’s comment is:

Fantastic! I'll have to add this to the very long list of books to snap up one day. When is 'Men of Design' coming? or is the theory that that is largely being covered by GDR!?

On Nov.27.2008 at 07:16 AM

debbie millman’s comment is:

Though it may be a slight conflict of interest or just plain weird to say, I think this is a great book. Truly wonderful.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

On Nov.27.2008 at 01:04 PM

Kevin M. Scarbrough’s comment is:

Hello Christmas Present To Self & Friends

On Dec.02.2008 at 06:04 PM

JBIII’s comment is:

Any Hardcover versions out there Armin?

On Dec.03.2008 at 09:11 AM

Beth’s comment is:

Thank you thank you thank you for creating this book.

On Dec.03.2008 at 11:29 AM

Trong’s comment is:

Great to see a book like this published but i've had a chance to go through it and personally don't feel that the work portrayed inside and especially the overall design and layout of the book is good enough to represent women in design. I know many amazing female designers who agree that if you are going to publish a book with a title as prestigious as "women of design" it better be a damn significant book : hardcover beautiful grid type and especially examples of work. Not to bash anyone involved with this book, well done i just think "women designers" deserve something better.

On Jan.25.2009 at 01:18 AM

Armin’s comment is:

Trong, criticism well taken. Thanks.

Just one thing... The book isn't meant to be "prestigious," not because we don't think the theme doesn't deserve it but because this should be an accessible book. Hence the soft cover. And regarding the grid and type... yeah, a classic layout would have been nice and appropriate, but then we would just be repeating what's been done. Now, whether we made a good layout or not is to each reader's opinion, and we respect that.

On Jan.25.2009 at 07:12 AM

Trong’s comment is:

Armin,

not so much criticism as much as i would simply like to see something amazing and significant, on top of what this book does. Yes grid and layout are completely subjective to each reader's opinion but i do feel there could have been a layout and grid that would have been more flattering for the designs and designers featured. I think you started something really good with this, but am hoping that it doesn't stop there. You said its not meant to be "prestigious" and if that was the approach, concept and methodology then the design serves the purpose. But; i definitely feel strongly in saying that there should be another book sharing the same title that is absolutely prestigious and significant, to support the amazing work done by women designers.

On Jan.26.2009 at 01:28 PM

Jenny’s comment is:

I agree with Trong's statements completely!

I have had a chance to look at the book as well, and yes, it may be accessible, but I was hoping that with a title like "Women of Design," the book would be more of a showcase of the beautiful design being produced. Instead, I feel that this book is distracting and takes away from the work being displayed. I would have rather seen clean, elegant type and grid, that would focus readers' attention on the content.

On Jan.26.2009 at 01:55 PM