Books

Midnight magic

| seaglassvisuals

Upon recently discovering these exceptional lightboxes, l was immediately struck by their fairytale charm – radiating a glow that is original in concept and structure. Created by Deidra, owner of The Rekindled Page, these night lights celebrate all that is beautiful, within the repurposed, upcycled ethos, which is the creative basis of this inspiring platform of work.

Merging imagery and text from vintage dictionary prints, in-conjunction with exploration of re-purposing, the traditional lightbox has been perfectly transformed into a visually vibrant night light object with a twist, allowing the imagination to take flight, upon the silent arrival of the midnight hour…

Magical starry nights surely await…

Creativity flows easily on rainy days

| Maru Saurer

It was on a wintry December morning, when l discovered this gem – A History of Graphic Design for Rainy Days. A smile beamed across my face, as l took a peek at the book online. How utterly invigorating to find such a book that takes the reader on a illustrative journey of Graphic Design! Overflowing with bright graphics and fun activities, this entertaining book demonstrates the humor and creativity that can be found in the visual world of graphic design.

The graphic design agency behind this masterpiece is Studio 3. An in-school agency that is located within the Graphic Design Department of Westerdals School of Communication in Oslo. l believe Studio 3 exists on the steadfast foundation of raw talent – hand-picked 3rd year graphic design students – truly inspirational to all graphic designers!


They say lightening only strikes once, and yet Studio 3 keeps on giving… in the form of another book – Hyperactivitypography from A to Z. A vintage styled journey celebrating the beauty of typography.

Glorious in form and activity structure.

Smile!

Let’s make some great art

Image | | Maru Saurer

In creative collaboration with Laurence King Publishing, talented illustrator Marion Deuchars has designed a book which fills my sketchbook heart with pure joy!

´Let’s Make Some Great Art´( Kritzeln Zeichen Kunst ) is a drawing playground for children and adults, which in my mind enables us to keep young at heart. This book allows the imagination to run wild – inviting the inner artist to simply have fun making art.

From playful fingerprints, to exploring the technique of artists like Jackson Pollock, l believe realising one’s own artistic expression can open up a whole new world – this book offers such a journey in creative abundance.

l warmly invite you to sharpen your pencil and make your mark…

© 2011 Marion Deuchars

Falling in love again…

Image | | Maru Saurer

l LOVE to travel, and so when l came across Love Travel Guides by Fiona Caulfield, my heart skipped a beat. Her ethos of embracing a city’s true essence by emerging oneself into the culture is a true reflection of how l also like to travel.

The first book ‘Love Bangolore’ was published on Valentines Day in 2007. Since then Fiona has added to the series with, Love Mumbai, Love Delhi, Love Goa, Love Bengaluru and, Love Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The authencity in which Fiona writes, magically entices me into another culture, and the hand-drawn illustrations, emphatically enrich the reading experience. l feel inspired and enraptured as l explore the hidden treasures of India.

With it’s luxurious design, and cloth packaging, these charming Love Travel Guides are truly created for the luxury vagabond who wishes to fall in love …

 

 

Storytelling reflected in embroidery

| Maru Saurer

l came across this enchanting “labour of love” project rather recently, and was immediately bowled over by the intricate detail captured on canvas. Jillian Tamaki has spent the first two months of this year, busily working away on these dustjackets. Described as her “dream project”, the Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics project certainly pays homage to the beauty of embroidery, and in my mind takes book illustration to a raised level of creativity!

The exquisite attention to detail woven into the fabric creates a vivid impression. With it’s black and orange contrasting threads, along with construction and texture of the mane, the dust jacket for ‘Black Beauty’ by Anna Sewell is strikingly strong in character.

Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, is charmingly depicted in soft colours, with brightly coloured woven braids of hair, and ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodges Burnett whimsically flows across the cover in tones of cerise pink and purples.

From a typography angle, one can clearly see that the embroidery of the book title, authors name, and pull-out quote from each book has also been taking into careful consideration. Each book cover perfectly reflects a style of typographic flair, allowing each woven thread to tell its own captivating story.

As a person who enjoys reading, l’m rather looking forward to the launch of the sculptural- embossed versions of these richly woven books in October 2011!

What to eat in April…

Image | | Maru Saurer

l was thrilled when illustrator, Emma Dibben kindly accepted my invitation to be a part of Looking Glass! I’ve been an avid collector of her food illustrations since being introduced to her work via the magazine publication – Waitrose Food Illustrated.

l find Emma’s “sketch” style of illustration celebrates the seasonal offerings in a warm and welcoming manner, tempting the reader to visit their local market, and purchase fresh produce.

The rendering of additional ink/paint spatterings that accompany the main illustrations, in particular lend themselves to the idea of a much-used cookbook, which l feel adds to the charm of Emma’s work.

A splash of colour, the tonal hues of a fruit or vegetable, and the attention to detail to capture the contours of a herb or leaf, makes these illustrations a mouth-watering experience – bringing them vividly to life!

As a person who enjoys cooking with fresh ingredients, Emma’s drawings, simply inspire me to try my hand at new recipes and techniques. Although, l have to confess, l do indeed have a soft spot for the classical dish – rhubarb crumble with a dash of vanilla sauce.

Spring has joyously arrived, and so on this note, l warmly invite you to taste the culinary delights of April!

When Wanderers Cease to Roam

| Maru Saurer
WWCTR_June page

l was given this beautiful book by a dear friend of mine as a birthday gift. Having untied the pretty bow, and unwrapped the elegant paper, l found myself immediately bowled over by the spellbinding illustrations and amusing anecdotes.

When Wanderers Cease to Roam – A Traveler’s Journal of Staying Put by Vivian Swift is not simply a journal, or a travel memoir, but a unique reading experience, reflecting personal adventures and the enjoyment of “staying put” within the cycle of a year, from January through to December.

As a designer, l find the hand-written style most visually striking, and have decided to read each chapter month by month…here’s to October – l wonder what monthly treasures are awaiting to be discovered…

Joseph Cornell

| Maru Saurer

I was first introduced to the enchanting world of Joseph Cornell as a sixteen year old graphic design student. From that magical moment onwards l was captivated by his “Art in boxes”.

A couple of years later, during further graphic design studies, and before heading to Edinburgh College of Art, l took the opportunity (as part of a student project) to create a visual piece called “The History of the Pencil” inspired by Joseph Cornell’s art.

And so to to discover this playful book called, “The Joseph Cornell Box: Found Objects, Magical Worlds” by Joan Sommers and Ascha Drake is pure delight. l feel it captures the very essence and charm of Joseph Cornell’s boxes. l invite you to explore their beautifully crafted book and related website, to discover the world of Cornell that continues to capture my imagination.