Still, Carolingian Press 1975

click images to enlarge

via the treasure trove of Princeton's graphic arts blog.

Molly Burgess, Still ([Piscataway, N.J.] : Carolingian Press, 1975). Copy 16 of 25.

Artist statement:

"Still is my response to a study of Eastern philosophy and religion. Though the book is based on personal interpretation and experience, there are specific links to both the history and philosophy from which it was conceived. Designed as a complete experience, it leads from the unfolding of the cover through the colors, into the patterns, the paradox, the stillness….

The book is arranged on four different levels: by color, by country, by thought, and by number…. There are thirty-two poems, eight in each of the four sections (the Eightfold way: right views, right inten

tions, right speech, right action, right profession, right effort, right watchfulness, right concentration). Each section of eight is again divided in two sections of four (the Four Noble Truths) by the ‘lace’ papers. The patterns of the four ‘lace’ papers progress from diamond to star to scallop to circle."

Central Saint Martins's Second Year Publication

A poster that doubles as a publication.
Simple, efficient, brilliant.

Sometimes zine-like publications can come in the form exhibition catalog/poster/supplement. This is a publication by Anders Stockman, Robert Agren and Mathew Whittington from Central St. Martins design school in London. The publication showcases unfinished and unrealized work from second year graphic design students.

It's gritty but clean.

Hand-drawn Playing Cards (1880~)

These are beautiful hand-drawn playing cards from around 1880 in England.

Learn more and see the whole set here.
via ephemera assemblyman.

Chinese Piracy- Design Books

Many companies in China have made a fortune selling pirated work. You can get anything from blockbuster dvds to luxury cars. Design books are no different.

Berlin-based art book publisher, Gestalten, took their frustration to the 2009 Frankfurt book fair. Since China is the guest of honor and the planners rejected Gestalten's proposal to include discussions about Chinese piracy, Gestalten set up an unofficial exhibition outside showing the books side by side.

Nonsense Charts

Nonsensical Inforgraphics by Chad Hagen.

via Uppercase Journal

Bancroft Library Twitter

Find daily archival gems from the UC Berkeley Bancroft library twitter.
Follow @bancroftlibrary

Balloon ascension...with no one inside (no date)

Pouring rain on campus, 1964

San Francisco earthquake, 1906

Brief Forms of Gregg Shorthand

via Depression Press

When memorized and fluent, one can write up to 150 words per minute.