DRAWING is the expression of an idea: “Art must come from within, and not from without. This fact has led some to assert that the study of nature is not essential to the student, and that careful training in the study of the representation of the actual appearance is mechanical and harmful. Such persons forget that all art ideas and sentiments must be based upon natural objects, and that a person who cannot represent truly what he sees will be entirely unable to express the simplest ideal c...

This book takes a deep dive into visual design structures, focusing on the timeless principles of movement, space, and composition. While design tools and technologies continue to change, these core principles remain just as important. Written in a clear and engaging style, it’s perfect for students looking to build their foundation in design, and also a great resource for professionals who want to revisit or sharpen their skills.

The book goes beyond the basics of design, introducing fresh...

'Time to Play' is Underware’s exploration of the dynamic relationship between typography, language, and human interaction. With their trademark experimental approach, Underware challenges readers to rethink the role of type beyond conventional boundaries. At the heart of the book is the typeface Kermit - originally developed for children and widely accessible as part of Microsoft Office - making it one of the first writable fonts available to a mass audience. Despite its playful appearance,...

This publication emerges from the 2023 London Design Biennale. It involves an international working group facilitated by Delany Boutkan and Setareh Noorani, both researchers at the Nieuwe Instituut, which confronted the intricate and often uncomfortable dynamics of collaboration. Through public sessions and intimate dialogues in London and Rotterdam, the realities of collaboration and collectivity were examined. Two transcripts from the public events are reworked in this publication, along wi...

Moving beyond the usual genres of form in graphic design’s canonical history, ‘Designing History’ proposes a model centred on bureaucratic instruments of identity, ownership, value, and permission: money, passports, certificates, property deeds, etc. It considers the implications of a design history of the document, where the designer shifts from being a practitioner of conventional design histories to become subject and agency of bureaucratic authority. The book is a revised edition of...

IT is much easier to understand and remember a thing when a reason is given for it, than when we are merely shown how to do it without being told why it is so done; for in the latter case, instead of being assisted by reason, our real help in all study, we have to rely upon memory or our power of imitation, and to do simply as we are told without thinking about it. The consequence is that at the very first difficulty we are left to flounder about in the dark, or to remain inactive till the ma...

In this post-digital age, digital technology is no longer a revolutionary phenomenon but a normal part of everyday life. The mutation of music and film into bits and bytes, downloads and streams is now taken for granted. For the world of book and magazine publishing however, this transformation has only just begun. In this book, Alessandro Ludovico re-reads the history of media technology, cultural activism, and the avantgarde arts as a prehistory of cutting through the so-called dichotomy be...

This book explores the origins, evolution, and practice of design fiction—creating tangible, evocative prototypes from possible near futures to examine decision-making consequences. As the world grows more complex and unpredictable, anticipating the future is no longer optional—it is essential. From climate change and economic instability to rising inequality and fragile institutions, uncertainty is everywhere. For too long, major decision-makers have viewed the future as a business exerc...

This book frequently uses “we” - referring both to all of us as citizens of Earth, and to Mouna Andraos and Melissa Mongiat, along with their team at Daily tous les jours, as they explore new ways of living together. It is an invitation into their journal. For over fifteen years, they have created interactive public art around the world, using music, movement, and storytelling to spark connection, joy, and care among strangers. Through this book, they share an evolving practice that blend...